Wickedhit theaters in November, bringing to life the first half of the beloved Broadway play of the same name, which is itself based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. Serving as aprequel toThe Wizard of Oz(1939), the film, which is directed by Jon M. Chu, chronicles the origins of Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who go on to become the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively.
Wickedreviewshave been glowing from critics, and the movie is now expected to be a major contender at the Oscars, including in the Best Picture category. The film has also succeeded with audiences, grossing $643 million worldwide since its release. All of this bodes well for the release ofWicked: For Goodthis coming November, which will bring the story of Glinda and Elphaba to a close.
Oliver Stone Names Wicked His Top Movie Of 2024
The Director Praises The Year’s Top 3 Movies
Oscar-winning writer and director Oliver Stone shares his top three movies of 2024, namingWickedthe ultimate winner. Stone is best known as the director of films likePlatoon(1986),Born on the Fourth of July(1989),JFK(1991), andNatural Born Killers. Various films of his have been nominated for Oscars over the course of his fifty-plus-year career, andhe took home the Best Director statues forPlatoonandBorn on the Fourth of July, with the former, a harrowing Vietnam War movie, also winning Best Picture.
All 8 Main Actor Performances In Wicked, Ranked
From Peter Dinklage to Ariana Grande, this is a ranking of the best and most now-iconic eight performances from the main actors of the Wicked movie.
In a new post on X, formerly Twitter,Stoneshares a lengthy post,revealing thatWickedtops the list of his favorite movies of 2024.The director praises both Grande and Erivo for their performances, but also singles out Chu’s workas director in adapting such challenging material. As for the other movies in the top three, Stone lists Bob Dylan biopicA Complete Unknownand papal thrillerConclave. Check out Stone’s post below:
“Wow!” writes Stone ofWicked, “I never saw the stage play or followed the coverage, but I just purely loved the sensuality and intelligence of the movie. I didn’t know these two actresses, but what a surprise to find both their performances so fresh and different. [Ariana Grane] is a marvel of cuteness with her sparkly eyes – who, I wonder, could’ve give birth to such a delightful fairytale creature? And [Cynthia Erivo] brings a depth and intelligence to Elphaba, the Evil Witch from Oz, that is very moving!”
Stone next mentions Chu, calling him “a helluva filmmaker [who] is working with challenging material in this prequel that turns everything in [The Wizard of Oz] upside down. All the more amazing that he pulled it off with a Hollywood studio.”
What Stone’s Praise Means For Wicked
Chu’s Musical Is Poised For Awards Success
Prior toWicked’s release, the film wasn’t really a high-ranking title in terms of its potential impact on the awards race. Following the film’s bow in theaters, however, it became clear that the musical is something special. OnRotten Tomatoes,the film enjoys an 89% critics' score and a glowing 95% audience score, and it’s clearly appealing to a wide variety of viewers, including Oscars voters.
BothA Complete UnknownandConclaveare also expected to be contenders at the upcoming Oscars ceremony.
The fact that Stone, who is well known for movies about challenging, often serious subject matter, is singling outWickedas the top movie of 2024 speaks to just how powerful a contender it could be at the Oscars.The movie seemingly has a real shot at winning Best Picture, but it could also win big in the acting and directing categories. The only real factor working against the movie currently is the fact that theWickedendingsets up the sequel instead of concluding the story. In any case, it’s clearWickedhas been a major winner of 2024.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
