As Wicked makes the long-awaited leap from the stage to the screen, Ariana Grande is contemplating a return to her roots.

The 2x Grammy winner recently opened up about the “healing” experience of portraying Galinda Upland in director Jon M. Chu‘s adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which made her consider “reconnecting” with her love of theater.

“I’m gonna say something so scary. It’s gonna scare the absolute s— out of my fans and everyone, but I love them and they’ll deal, and we’ll always be here,” she said on Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers’ Las Culturistas podcast.

“I’m always gonna make music. I’m always gonna go onstage, I’m always gonna do pop stuff, I pinky promise,” noted Grande. “But I don’t think doing it at the rate I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years is where I see the next 10 years.

A note from Scott: Well, it’s been a week. The presidential election did not break the way that most members of the American and global filmmaking communities would have preferred, which — low on the overall list of things to be thinking about but relevant to what we cover here — may well jolt the mood and priorities of Academy members as they contemplate what to support this season. We’ll have more on that soon.

Meanwhile, the fall film festival cycle largely wound to a close this week with the finales of the Scad Savannah and Miami Gems fests on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, respectively. (Europe still has the International Documentary Festival in the Netherlands from Nov. 13-24 and Camerimage in Poland from Nov. 16-23.) I recorded live episodes of my Awards Chatter podcast at each — the one from Savannah, with Zoe Saldaña (Netflix’s Emilia Pérez), is now live, and the one from Miami,...

The 25-year-old star of “Anora” is about to add a Breakthrough Performance Award to her mantel.

Mikey Madison will accept the coveted prize during this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival — specifically at their awards show on Jan. 3, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The film festival itself runs from Jan. 2-13.

Sean Baker‘s “Anora” stars Madison as a Brooklyn stripper who gets married to a Russian oligarch (Mark Eydelshteyn) in what’s being dubbed a “modern-day Cinderella story.” The film is currently Gold Derby’s Best Picture frontrunner at the 2025 Oscars, and it received a major boost earlier this year when it claimed the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Prior to “Anora,” Madison appeared in popular projects like “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” (2019), “Scream” (2022), and “Better Things” (2016-22). She currently leads Gold Derby’s Best Actress Oscar odds, where her co-nominees are likely...

A sterling lineup of stars and filmmakers have been set to be honored at the Critics Choice Association’s seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, which is set for December 9 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

Among those being recognized are stars of 2024’s most acclaimed and anticipated films including Regina King, John David Washington, Cynthia Erivo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jharrel Jerome and The Fire Inside breakout Ryan Destiny. On the TV side, honorees include Natasha Rockwell, Wendell Pierce and Michael Rainey Jr. Filmmakers Steve McQueen and Malcolm D. Lee among other luminaries will also be receiving awards.

As previously announced, actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry will be honored with the Icon Award for his body of work and achievements throughout the years. The writer, director and producer of Netflix’s upcoming The Six Triple Eight, Perry has helmed 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 TV shows and penned...

Tyler Perry, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and “The Best Man’s” Malcolm D. Lee will be honored at the Critics Choice Association’s seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television.

Actor and comedian Jay Pharoah, best known for “Saturday Night Live” and his recent comedy special “Jared,” will host the gala on Dec. 9 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air on Starz in January 2025. It will then be televised on Ktla and shown nationwide on select Nexstar stations through the month of February in honor of Black History Month.

Perry will be presented with the Icon Award, celebrating his body of work. In addition to his upcoming Netflix film “The Six Triple Eight”, Perry has helmed 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 television shows and penned two New York Times bestselling books, in addition to establishing the 330-acre Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Lee will be...

So, if you care to find new merchandise for "Wicked," look to the western sky! Actually, you should be looking at the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater chain, because they have a cool, exclusive collection of "Wicked" gear for fans of both Elphaba and Galinda, bringing together those green and pink hues in a spectacular fashion in honor of the release of the big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical (watch the trailer here).

Alamo Drafthouse's trademark Alamo Mart online will have a little collection of "Wicked" items and accessories to show your love for the Emerald City and all it has to offer. As Alamo says in their official press release, "Our exclusive line of limited-edition Wicked merch is filled with unique pieces sure to please any Ozian that you won't find anywhere else."

Alamo Drafthouse

Whether you want to keep things subtle with a set of enamel pins...

Regina King, Steve McQueen and Cynthia Erivo are among the honorees for the 7th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, which will be hosted by Jay Pharoah and take place at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 2024. The Critics Choice Association released the full slate of recipients on Thursday.

As previously announced, Tyler Perry will receive the Icon Award for this career achievements. Joining him are King, who recently starred in Netflix’s Shirley Chisholm biopic “Shirley”; McQueen, director of the Apple TV + WWII drama “Blitz”; Erivo, soon to appear in Universal’s “Wicked”; and many others known for their excellent work.

Shawn Edwards, executive producer and writer for the Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, said in a statement, “We are proud to recognize this year’s outstanding group of honorees. 2024 was an exceptional year. There were so many great stories about the Black experience, and this event...

Emilia Pérez leads the 2024 nominees for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, which honor scores and songs in film and other visual media categories. Blitz is next with three, followed by The Wild Robot, Moana 2, and Wicked with two each. See the full list below.

Among the nominees are such hitmakers and composers as Elton John and Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Diane Warren, Pharrell Williams, A.R. Rahman and Linda Perry, among others.

The hardware will be handed out at the 15th annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards on November 20 at The Avalon in Hollywood. Several of the nominated songs will be performed live during the ceremony.

The HMMAs will present this year’s Outstanding Career Achievement Award to legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin, who collaborations with Elton John produced some of the greatest pop songs and albums on the 1970s. The duo scored 10 No. 1 singles in the UK and seven in the U.

In Wizard Of Oz spin-off Wicked, Cynthia Erivo plays ostracised outcast Elphaba. Being off-kilter, though, says the actor, has always been a badge of honour

There was no yellow brick road laid out for Cynthia Erivo to follow.

Instead, the British-Nigerian has found her own way, from a show-stealing solo in her south London primary’s nativity play (‘Silent Night’; not a dry eye in the house), to a multi-hyphenate, multi-award-winning career, spanning stage, screen and latterly, the recording studio. This month, 37-year-old Erivo stars as Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh, in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked, the Wizard Of Oz spin-off and hit Broadway musical. It’s a role she feels she’s “innately understood” even before being offered it, from experiencing the musical, and there have been plenty more sing-along adventures en route to this dream-come-true.

Throughout,...

Ariana Grande has insisted singing live in 'Wicked' was a "no-brainer".The 31-year-old actress stars as Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the upcoming big screen adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, and they were determined to sing live on set rather than dub their vocals in post-production.She told E! News: "It was an immediate no brainer for Cynthia and I. We both were like, 'Well of course we're singing live.' "Her co-star, 37, agreed and insisted there is "something special" about performing and filming in that way.She added: "There's something special about what happens when music is live in a room."'The Boy Is Mine' hitmaker Ariana threw everything into her character, and even worked on changing the natural pitch of her speaking and singing voice.She recently told the New York Times newspaper: "It was really important to erase as much of myself as possible,...

Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu Copyright © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. The Tony Award-winning musical Wicked is making its way onto the big screen, and it features a Tony Award winner in one of its main roles: Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba (the younger version of the Wicked Witch of the West), won the Best Actress in a Musical award for The Color Purple. Although she’s never been in a stage production of Wicked before, Erivo feels honored to take on the role in the film. Speaking at its Australian premiere, she talked about what the story and the character mean to her. (Click on the media bar below to hear Cynthia Erivo.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cynthia_Erivo_Wicked_Honored__toB_be_In_film_.mp3

Wicked opens in theaters on November 22.

The post Cynthia Erivo Embraces Her ‘Wicked’ Ways appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

Nominations voting is from January 8-12, 2025, with official Oscar nominations announced January 17, 2025. Final voting is February 11-18, 2025. And finally, the 97th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 2, and air live on ABC at 7 p.m. Et/ 4 p.m. Pt. We update our picks throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2025 Oscar predictions.

The State of the Race

As we enter the fall/holiday season, “Wicked” (Universal) and “Gladiator II” (Paramount) are gathering early buzz for the Best Sound Oscar. Other standouts include “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix), “Blitz” (Apple TV+), “Maria” (Netflix), and “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios). Still to come are the highly anticipated “Nosferatu” (Focus Features) and “A Complete Unknown” (Searchlight Pictures). Another major contender, course, is “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.).

In “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, we get the unlikely friendship between...

More than a hundred songwriters, composers, perfomers and films are represented in the nominees’ list for the 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Awards — from pop luminaries like Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson and Pharrell Williams to celebrated scorers like Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Kris Bowers and Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.

The list of nominees was unveiled Wednesday, in advance of a ceremony due to take place Nov. 20 at the Avalon in Hollywood.

“Emilia Pérez” led all films with five Hmma nominations. “Blitz” and “A Complete Unknown” have three nominations apiece. Other films picking up multiple noms include “Wicked,” “The Wild Robot,” “Moana 2,” “The Idea of You,” “Challengers” and “Elton John: Never Too Late.” (Scroll down to see the full lineup of 2024 nominees.)

The Hmma lineup of categories is the most expansive of any awards program recognizing musical achievements in the movies, between breaking down different genre categories for feature films,...

To be part of the upcoming screen adaptation of Wicked film is a dream come true for Cynthia Erivo, but the path to achieving this was not smooth sailing. The Tony Award winner plays the iconic Elphaba Thropp in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, a role she said was too elusive for Black women.

Credits: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked / Universal Pictures

The character of Elphaba has been portrayed by different actresses on Broadway and West End, and there’s only one Black woman – Alexia Khadime – to play the role full-time in any production of Wicked before Erivo.

Cynthia Erivo Almost Lost Hope Winning the Role of Wicked’s Elphaba

In an emotional interview with The New York Times, British singer Cynthia Erivo confessed she did not believe the upcoming Wicked film production would cast her for the role because she’s Black. She thought that her kind...

The Wicked movie and Broadway musical of the same name have some similarities to the original children’s story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While the 1900 novel is centered around the main character of Dorothy, the movie and play tell the story of life in Oz before her arrival.

However, there are many elements of the play that tie back to the original book, including Elphaba’s name and its connection to the book’s author.

‘Wicked’ author reveals Elphaba’s name is deeply connected to the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ author

In 1995, Gregory Maguire wrote the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s original story.

The book was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2003 and a feature film in 2024. As Maguire created the characters for his retelling of Baum’s story, he wanted to...

Were the Women of Love is Blind 'Ganging Up' on the Men? Nick Sets the Record Straight - Main Image

Season 7's recent reunion episode caused quite a stir for unresolved romance problems, but according to Nick, the women were mostly 'ganging up' on men in Love is Blind. Here's what he had to say.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Love is Blind season 7, so proceed with caution.

Were the Women Really 'Ganging Up' on Men? What Nick Said

As the post-Love is Blind married couples managed to reunite and tell more about their stories outside the reality show, exes with unresolved and bittersweet endings have yet to mend their own.

Exactly as promised by the Love is Blind season 7 reunion trailer, drama ensued.

However, according to Nick, who was once partnered with Hannah in season 7, the women were 'ganging up' on men in Love is Blind.

Wicked: Why Did the Director Change His Mind About Casting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo? - Main Image

There is no doubt that Wicked's adaptation is one of the most challenging musicals for fans to come on board. As much as the Wicked director hoped to cast no-namers, here's why he ended up choosing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to play the iconic characters of Glinda and Elphaba.

Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Almost Cast 'No-Namers' for the New Film Adaptation

Casting rare talents to play Elphaba and Glinda is difficult enough, but hitting the accuracy and chemistry for the roles makes it harder.

According to Wicked director Jon M. Chu, he was looking into 'no-namers' to cast for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo landed their casting.

"I wanted to have a very clear slate coming into Wicked," Chu recalled,...

Ariana Grande stars in the film adaptation of Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch.

When audiences see the movie in theaters, they will notice that the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer uses her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the film’s credits.

In a new interview, Grande shares why she changed her name for the film.

“I just feel like this experience was such a homecoming for me,” Grande said in an interview with The Streaming Service. “I feel like I came home to myself in a lot of ways, through what I learned from Glinda, from Elphaba. That was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10-years-old, and it felt like a really lovely way of honoring that. It felt really full circle, and it just felt like something I wanted to do.”

Wicked will be released on November 22 in the U.S.

Ariana Grande attended the Sydney, Australia, premiere of Wicked in a Glinda-inspired custom dress.

Grande, who plays the beloved good witch in the upcoming film, wore a Vivienne Westwood gown with a tulle skirt, corset bodice and puffed sleeves, channeling her character at the event on Nov. 3. She punctuated the look with a butterfly choker, a nod to Glinda’s outfit in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, rocked a black Louis Vuitton sculptural dress with a corseted bodice. Like Grande, she finished the ensemble with a choker, hers featuring a lion’s head.

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The two women posed together on the red carpet, holding hands while flaunting their thoughtful outfits.

Wicked will premiere in theatres on Nov. 22. It is the first of a two-part installation...

‘Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked’ poster (Photo by: NBCUniversal)

NBC’s winter holidays lineup includes the return of classic favorites Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life. The network’s also turning to big-name stars to help celebrate the year-end holidays with specials by Little Big Town, Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, Barry Manilow, Halle Bailey, Smokey Robinson, and Jimmy Fallon.

NBC’s holiday programming kicks off with a special behind-the-scenes look at one of 2024’s most anticipated films, Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. And Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular will help get viewers in the holiday spirit.

“These holiday events and specials bring families together in ways like nothing else can,” stated Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “Whether it...

Nominations voting is from January 8-12, 2025, with official Oscar nominations announced January 17, 2025. Final voting is February 11-18, 2025. And finally, the 97th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 2, and air live on ABC at 7 p.m. Et/ 4 p.m. Pt. We update our picks throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2025 Oscar predictions.

The State of the Race

Fall has arrived, and “Conclave” (Focus Features), “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix), “The Brutalist” (A24), “Gladiator II” (Paramount), and “Wicked” (Universal) have all emerged as Best Editing Oscar contenders. However, “Blitz” (Apple TV+), “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios), “Queer” (A24), and “The First Inside” (Amazon MGM Studios) look promising, and “September 5” (Paramount) is shaping up to be the dark horse. Still to be seen are “Nosferatu” (Focus Features) and “A Complete Unknown” (Searchlight Pictures), but don’t forget about “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.).

“Conclave,” Edward Berger’s follow-up to...

Ariana Grande faced a decades-long road in pursuit of achieving her dream role in the film adaptation of the Broadway play, Wicked. She always felt a kinship to the story of two very different people who became close friends and created change. Grande’s determination allowed her the chance to play a key role in a story so dear to her heart.

Ariana Grande pursued ‘Wicked’ producers for a decade

Ariana Grande began pursuing a role in the film production of Wicked in 2013. She auditioned time and again for the role, never giving up on her childhood dream.

In an interview with Billboard, Grande revealed that she had to earn her place at Wicked‘s table. With a history of selling millions of records and high-grossing concert tours in her rearview mirror, it appeared unlikely she would have to work hard to get the role, but that is quite the opposite of what occurred.

Like Zendaya and Margot Robbie (“Barbie“) before them, “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are taking method-dressing to “gravity-defying” new heights — and we’ve assembled some of their most swankified looks.

Grande and Erivo play Glinda and Elphaba in the long-awaited film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu. The film’s world press tour, billed the “Journey Through Oz,” officially kicked off on Nov. 3 in Sydney, Australia, but Grande (styled by Mimi Cuttrell) and Erivo (styled by Jason Bolden) have been dressing as their respective Ozian witches for months.

From donning glamorous pink and green gowns to present at the Academy Awards to more whimsical frocks at Universal Pictures’ first preview of the musical at CinemaCon, plus a chic appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris, Grande and Erivo have delighted fans with their thrillifying fashions (plus Erivo’s signature nail art).

Following the Australian premiere,...

The celebrated partnership between Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis has spanned three decades, producing some of cinema’s most memorable moments. Their collaboration began in 1994 and is still going strong after 3 decades.

Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks on the set of Cast Away (2000) | 20th Century Studios

What makes these two such a dynamic duo? Simple – they’re masters at mixing high-tech movie magic with deeply human stories. Whether they’re making Tom Hanks talk to a volleyball or getting us emotionally invested in a train ride to the North Pole, these guys know how to win over both movie buffs and regular viewers alike. Now that they’re teaming up for the fifth time, let’s dive into their awesome track record and see how each of their collaborations holds up!

5. Here (2024)

Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks‘ latest collaboration is a fantasy drama that, while ambitious, doesn’t quite...

Jonathan Bailey is always on his fashion A-game and we have a feeling that fans are going to love his latest look!

The 36-year-old actor wore a sheer top and short shorts while attending a photo call for Wicked on Tuesday afternoon (November 5) by the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Jonathan was joined at the event by his Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, and Jeff Goldblum. Make sure to see photos of every cast member who attended!

The Wicked movie, based on the beloved Broadway musical of the same name, will be released in theaters on November 22. This is the first of two movies with the second part on track to hit theaters in November 2025. Watch the latest trailer for the movie now!

Jonathan already has another exciting franchise lined up as his next project.

Fyi: Jonathan is wearing Giuliva Heritage’s SS25 Rinaldo...

The cast of Wicked is still down under in Oz for the kick-off of their world tour and they just gathered for a photo call!

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are actually the same height, but Cynthia towered over her co-star thanks to her sky-high heels at the photo call on Tuesday afternoon (November 5) in Sydney, Australia.

They are both 5’1″ in actuality. Cynthia was channeling Lady Gaga with those heels!

Cynthia and Ariana were joined by co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Jeff Goldblum at the press event, which overlooked the Sydney Opera House.

Two days earlier, the Wicked world premiere was held in Sydney and Ariana and Cynthia were dressed in outfits inspired by what their characters wore in the original The Wizard of Oz movie.

We are just a couple weeks away from Wicked finally hitting theaters on November 22. Be sure to watch the latest trailer!

Pop sensation Ariana Grande went on the Sentimental Men podcast this week where she talked all things “Wicked.” She even addressed the concerns of some fans about her being cast as Glinda the Good Witch in the big budget adaptation of the popular Broadway musical. For the record, not everybody feels this way, as she has a growing filmography that includes many other notable and respectable projects.

When she was originally cast in the role, she admittedly “felt a little bit of the initial nervousness” and the “preconceived notions about what I might be able to deliver or not deliver, or why I would be wrong,” Grande said on the podcast at the 33-minute mark. “It’s been a great secret. [The haters] didn’t get to see any of the auditions or know anything.” For the record, she will be going by her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the “Wicked” credits...

The big-screen adaptation of “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the famed young witches Elphaba and Glinda, is filled with all sorts of easter eggs and nods to the hit Broadway musical as well as “The Wizard of Oz.” But one detail of the film caught the eye of Grande’s fanbase in particular.

The Universal movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, began screening for press, critics and influencers last month, and as audience members shared their rave reviews and first reactions on social media, fans quickly noticed that Grande is billed “Ariana Grande-Butera” in the film’s end credits.

It doesn’t take more than cursory Google search to educate the uninitiated, but Grande-Butera is the Grammy-winning superstar’s birth name. Still, it’s a conspicuous addition since Grande has never used her full name professionally.

As the “Wicked” world press tour kicked off on Sunday in Australia,...

The NBC Holiday 2024 programming schedule has been announced and will once again bring families together with its beloved annual specials and a lineup of new programming. Favorite perennial programming will once again return viewers’ homes with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and more.

New programming for 2024 includes Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular and A Motown Christmas, hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey. Additionally, NBC will air two beloved holiday classics: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will return to the network after first launching on NBC in 1964, and Frosty the Snowman is also coming back to NBC after last airing on the network in 1971.

Photo courtesy of NBC

“These holiday events and specials bring families together in ways like nothing else can,” said Jen Neal, executive vice president of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment.

“Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes look at ‘Wicked,’ the joy of the Thanksgiving parade,...

If the 2025 Oscars nominations were announced today, what would Gold Derby predict as the nominees and winners? Since our predictions center opened on July 1, 2024, more than 5,300 people have made their forecasts in 18 top categories. So who’s out front to claim these golden trophies, according to the Gold Derby Oscar predictions 2025?

Below, see a snapshot in time of our racetrack odds for the 97th Academy Awards, updated on November 4, 2024. See how the odds and rankings have changed over time by examining our previous Oscar snapshots on July 3, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 29, August 6, August 19, August 28, September 11, September 19, September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, October 22, and October 28.

Now expected to receive a nomination since the last update: “Wicked” in Best Sound. It’s no doubt being buoyed by the positive reactions from those who saw early screenings of Universal’s film adaptation of the classic Broadway musical.

See Make your Oscar predictions right now — it’s fun and easy!

Later this month, Universal will release Wicked into theaters. The hit Broadway musical has been delighting audiences for decades on stage, and now we'll finally see it in movie form, with actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo playing the lead roles of Galinda and Elphaba, the women who will go on to become the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. Erivo is an Oscar-nominated actor who's also a great singer; her concerts are all over YouTube if you want proof. And do I really have to explain who Ariana Grande is? Even if you don't like pop music, she's one of the biggest singers in the world so you're probably aware of her.

With that much star power, it's surprising to hear director Jon M. Chu say that he originally wanted to find unknowns to play these roles. "I...

To paraphrase Wesley Snipes as Blade in this summer’s blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine”: There’s only one “Barbenheimer.” There’s only ever gonna be one “Barbenheimer.”

Hollywood might never replicate the je ne sais quoi that prompted the explosion of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” double features, turning the box office battle between two very different films into a once-in-a-generation cinematic event. But multiplex owners are hoping that “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” achieve something close as the pink-and-green musical and the Colosseum-set action epic land in theaters on Nov. 22.

“It won’t happen in the same way, but the conversation around ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ is reminiscent of ‘Barbenheimer,’” says Shawn Robbins, Fandango’s director of movie analytics. “They’re fueling each other.”

Whether or not “Glicked” is the second coming of “Barbenheimer,” there’s mounting pressure on Thanksgiving movies — Disney’s “Moana 2” swims to the big screen on Nov.

Stephen King's Bill Hodges Trilogy, "The Outsider," "If It Bleeds," "Holly," and his recently announced novel, "Never Flinch," scheduled for May 27, 2025, all feature one of his most beloved characters: Holly Gibney. Initially intended as a side character in "Mr. Mercedes," Holly "just kind of stole the book and stole my heart" King notes in the blurb for her 2023 solo book. Holly has appeared on screen in TV adaptations of "Mr. Mercedes" and "The Outsider," played by Justine Lupe and Cynthia Erivo, respectively.

We are first introduced to Holly Gibney in "Mr. Mercedes," where we learn that she's a computer whiz and a wallflower, highly intelligent yet a social klutz. She proves to be the perfect partner for retired cop Bill Hodges as they team up to hunt down a psychopathic mass murderer. Over the course of a few years, she gradually blossoms into a strong, capable investigator in her own right.

Is the Martha Stewart and Ryan Reynolds 'Beef' Over? Deadpool Star Fires Back - Main Image

What's up with the 'beef' between Martha Stewart and Ryan Reynolds? As soon as the domestic diva's words against the actor made headlines just recently, the Deadpool star was quick with his rebuttal. Here's what happened.

How the Martha Stewart and Ryan Reynolds 'Beef' Started

After recently appearing as a special guest for Bilt Rewards' November Rent Free game show, Martha Stewart's words left fans in awe especially when the words contained Ryan Reynolds and 'not so funny' in the same sentence.

Reynolds, best known as one of Hollywood's best comedic reliefs, is shockingly not on top of Stewarts' list of 'most fun to hang out with', in contrast to the fans who believe he is.

"He's not so funny in real life. No, he's not so funny. He's very serious," Martha said, adding...

The practice of casting known celebrities instead of veteran stage-actors who may not have earned the recognition they deserve is so common in musical theater that it has its own name: stunt casting. The general ethos around stunt casting in Broadway circles is usually pretty negative. It tends to mean...

Every year, the Cfda Awards are widely anticipated by fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals. A-list celebrities, models, and top designers gather to celebrate fashion industry innovation and achievements, but I’m most looking forward to the array of bold and avant-garde looks that transform the typically traditional red carpet into an exciting and imaginative playground.

Blake Lively, Paris Hilton, Katie Holmes, Ciara, Winnie Harlow, and Tyla are among the best-dressed celebrities at the 2024 Cfda Awards (Credit: Janet Mayer / BauerGriffin / Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)

The Cfda Awards returned to the American Museum of Natural History this year, with Cynthia Erivo hosting the festivities. Erykah Badu received this year’s Fashion Icon Award, Michael Kors took home the Positive Change Award, Stuart Vevers of Coach was honored with the Innovation Award, and Henry Zankov was named Emerging Designer of the Year.

For the second consecutive year, Willy Chavarria was honored with the Menswear...

Taking on as huge a property as “Wicked” meant juggling many balls in the air at the same time for director Jon M. Chu. Not only did he have to honor the original stage musical and its fans, but he also had to consider the cinematic legacy of “The Wizard of Oz” and how “Wicked” fits into it. He had to balance singing, dancing, spectacle, and emotional catharsis and knew whichever actresses he cast to take the reins of witches Elphaba and Glinda would have to do the same. As to not overshadow the material, Chu admitted in a recent interview with SFX Magazine that he initially considered casting unknowns in the part.

“I wanted to have a very clear slate coming into ‘Wicked,'” said Chu. “It’s a big enough property on its own, so we can discover two people. I was like, ‘We’re gonna find no-namers...

The magical world of Oz, where you can expect the unexpected.

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.

#WickedMovie is only in theaters November 22.

https://www.wickedmovie.com

The St. Louis screening is at the Marcus Chesterfield Cinema on Sunday, November 17 at 2pm.

Link: http://gofobo.com/EcfwX34351

Please arrive early as seating is not guaranteed.

This film is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material.

L to R: Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin,...

As a longtime Wicked fan, Ariana Grande knew she had some big slippers to fill with her casting as Galinda Upland.

While discussing the audition process for Jon M. Chu‘s feature adaptation of the Broadway musical, the 2x Grammy winner opened up about the pressure to get the character right and the “challenge” of breaking out of her pop star box.

“This is something I loved so much about auditioning for Wicked,” explained Grande on the Sentimental Men podcast. “It has to be earned. Anything on this scale, being a part of anything, it’s not just given because they know for one thing. So, it’s fun to kind of have the challenge of reframing people’s perception and doing the work to earn your way back into the other spaces.”

Having done musical theater since 8 years old, and having long been a fan of the Tony-winning musical,...

Ariana Grande looks straight out of a bubble while hitting the carpet at the world premiere of Wicked held at State Theatre on Sunday (November 3) in Sydney, Australia.

The 31-year-old singer and actress emulated the original Glinda from The Wizard of Oz as she walked the yellow brick road carpet alongside Cynthia Erivo, who channeled the Wicked Witch of the West!

Also in attendance were co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum (with wife Emilie Livingston), Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater.

This marks the official kick off of the Wicked global press tour and the very first premiere for the upcoming movie musical adaptation!

The day before, Ariana, Cynthia, Ethan and Marissa were seen arriving Down Under. Check out the pics here!

We are just a few weeks away from Wicked finally hitting theaters on November 22nd. Be sure to watch the latest trailer here…

Fyi: Ariana is wearing a Vivienne Westwood look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Cynthia Erivo felt comfortable going green for 'Wicked'.The 37-year-old actress plays Elphaba in Jon M. Chu's upcoming movie based on the popular musical of the same name and described how her alter ego's elaborate green make-up soon became a "second skin".Cynthia told Empire magazine: "It was really comfy! I think, depending on what we were doing for the day, it could take anything from two-and-a-half hours to four-and-a-half (in the make-up chair). It felt like a second skin. I was never irritated by it."I think a lot of research went into what shade would be right, what would sit on my skin in the right way and how I could take care of my skin whilst it was in the make-up."The 'Harriet' star continued: "There was the option to do CGI. I was asked if I wanted to do that, or to do practical,...

November began with Eva Longoria being honored at Carlos Eric Lopez’s fourth annual Día De Muertos Gala at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood and the star-studded Lacma Art+Film Gala. That same weekend, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Granda and Jonathan Bailey jetted to Sydney, Australia for the first “Wicked” premiere.

Make sure to keep checking back here all month long for the best November celebrity pics.

Ariana Grande holds onto boyfriend Ethan Slater as they leave a building on Saturday (November 2) in Sydney, Australia.

The 31-year-old actress and the 32-year-old actor were seen stepping out after arriving in the country alongside their Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Marissa Bode.

They are all in town to kick off the Wicked global press tour, with the world premiere taking place in Sydney on Sunday (November 3).

Keep reading to find out more…

“First stop…. Oz,” Ariana wrote on her Instagram story. “thank you for the warmest welcome !!!!!”

Ariana and Cynthia, of course, repped their respective characters, wearing pink and green outfits. Ari even had a pink bag with a G initial on it, for Glinda!

We are just a few weeks out from Wicked being in theaters, as it officially drops on Friday, November 22nd.

Ahead of the release, several behind-the-scenes videos have been released, including five this past...

Singer. Actress. Impressionist. Is there anything Ariana Grande can’t do?

Born on June 26, 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida, the pop princess is well-known for her four-octave vocal range and whistle tones. In fact, she’s one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Gold Derby has already tackled her music career quite extensively, but with a burgeoning acting career, we thought it was the perfect time to delve into her most popular screen roles. Scroll through our gallery above (or click here for direct access) to see the 10 best Ariana Grande movies and TV shows, ranked. Did Your favorite make our the list?

Grande’s first gig an an actress was at age 15 when she appeared in the Broadway musical “13” (2008). But it was her TV role as sweet redhead Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” (2010–13) and its spin-off “Sam & Cat” (2013–14) that proved to be her big break in the industry.

Singer. Actress. Impressionist. Is there anything Ariana Grande can’t do?

Born on June 26, 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida, the pop princess is well-known for her four-octave vocal range and whistle tones. In fact, she’s one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Gold Derby has already tackled her music career quite extensively, but with a burgeoning acting career, we thought it was the perfect time to delve into her most popular screen roles. Scroll through our gallery below to see the 10 best Ariana Grande movies and TV shows, ranked. Did Your favorite make our the list?

Grande’s first gig an an actress was at age 15 when she appeared in the Broadway musical “13” (2008). But it was her TV role as sweet redhead Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” (2010–13) and its spin-off “Sam & Cat” (2013–14) that proved to be her big break in the industry.

Her movie career got...

Nominations voting is from January 8-12, 2025, with official Oscar nominations announced January 17, 2025. Final voting is February 11-18, 2025. And finally, the 97th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 2, and air live on ABC at 7 p.m. Et/ 4 p.m. Pt. We update our picks throughout awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2025 Oscar predictions.

The State of the Race

As we enter the fall/holiday season, “Wicked” (Universal) is gathering early buzz for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Other standouts include “The Substance” (Mubi), “A Different Man” (A24), “Longlegs” (Neon), “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.), “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix), and “Maria” (Netflix). But the race will heat up with the arrival of “Nosferatu” (Focus Features) on Christmas.

“Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, delivers the backstory between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda. Before they become bitter enemies,...

On Tuesday, 24 hours before one of Scad Savannah Film Festival’s most anticipated panels, “Wicked: A First Look,” someone approached to inform that they would be in line at least an hour before. The anticipation was palpable. When “Wicked” cinematographer Alice Brooks, editor Myron Kerstein and costume designer and Variety’s 10 artisans to watch honoree Paul Tazewell stepped onto the stage Wednesday, they were welcomed like rock stars, with fans screaming at a deafening decibel. Based on the crowd’s enthusiasm, Kerstein wanted to see who was Team Glinda and who was Team Elphaba. Applause wasn’t enough to distinguish the two, but a show of hands suggested the audience skewed towards Glinda.

The artisans didn’t pick sides (they love them both equally), but that friction-turned-friendship between the two young witches was the filmmaker’s north star while developing the movie.

Brooks recalled her first conversations with director Jon M. Chu,...

Unlimited…your future is…unlimited. At least that’s how Amazon Prime members should be feeling today as they’ve recently been offered an exclusive deal to be some of the first to see this year’s highly anticipated adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked.”

While the film is set to release on Friday, November 22, Amazon Prime members can now purchase tickets for early screenings on Monday, November 18 at multiple theaters throughout the country. The deal is conducted in partnership with Fandango, where tickets will have to be purchased after logging into your Amazon Prime account. There doesn’t seem to be any limit on how many tickets can be purchased, but it is on a first come/first serve basis and will only be valid now until November 18.

A film adaptation of “Wicked” has ostensibly been in development since it first premiered on Broadway in 2003 starring Idina Menzel,...

Ariana Grande opened up about her experience auditioning for Wicked.

The 31-year-old pop star is bringing Glinda to life in the musical movies, the first of which premieres on November 22.

During an appearance on the Sentimental Men podcast, Ariana revealed when she first learned about the movie, her dramatic response to the possibility of auditioning and more.

She explained how she got prepared, what her first audition was like and if she was initially brought in to read for Elphaba or Glinda.

Ariana also shared how Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda on Broadway, responded when she found out that she was auditioning for the movie.

Keep reading to find out more…

On the podcast, Ariana said that she first learned about auditions before director Jon M. Chu was attached.

“It was just a murmuring of a something,” she said, confirming it was before the pandemic. “And I...

A Kardashian source believes that Kris Jenner’s obsession will ultimately ruin her. Now, the mother of six has many obsessions as fans have seen over the two decades. She loves to do any and everything and, along with her kids, they take it over the top and to the next level. Yet, how could this be her downfall and is anyone stepping up in an attempt to help her? Keep reading for more details.

Kardashian Source Thinks Kris Jenner’s Obsession Will Ruin Her

Kris Jenner loves doing things to the ultimate. Her holiday parties are over the top with the best musicians, food, sponsors, and more. She also stops at nothing for their family events, overly indulging her grandchildren. This trait has been passed down to her own kids who, in return throw lavish birthday parties for their children filled with various stations and the best parting gifts.