Ready to defy gravity? The Tony Award-winning musical Wicked is heading to the big screen this fall, two decades after becoming a smash hit on Broadway.
The Wicked movie will be the first installment of a two-part adaptation of the stage show. It will feature all the major hit songs and a star-studded cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey.
But where was it filmed? We’ve got the latest lowdown on the Wicked movie’s filming locations and how you can visit them by train.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked. Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Where was Wicked filmed in the UK?
Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, near London, was the main filming location for the Wicked movie. Unfortunately, the studios aren’t open for public tours, but you can visit other filming spots outside of London.
The rainbow-colored Munchkinland set was built in the small village of Ivinghoe, near Luton (closest station: Tring). Additionally, the crew filmed on England’s south coast at Seven Sisters Country Park, where a pink ornate sailing boat was shot for the movie. The closest station to this location is Seaford.
When is the Wicked movie release date?
The first Wicked movie is scheduled for release in UK theaters on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. It will debut slightly earlier in the US on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked. Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Who plays Glinda and Elphaba?
Glinda the Good is played by actress and singer Ariana Grande, while stage actress Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba.
Who else is in the cast of Wicked?
Other famous faces include Jonathan Bailey, who stars as Fiyero Tigelaar, while Michelle Yeoh (A Haunting in Venice) plays Madame Morrible, and the legendary Jeff Goldblum is the Wizard himself. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Ethan Slater (as Boq), Marissa Bode (as Nessarose Thropp), Bowen Yang (as Pfannee), Bronwyn James (as ShenShen), Keala Settle (as Miss Coddle), and Peter Dinklage (as the voice of Doctor Dillamond).
Who directed Wicked?
American movie director Jon M. Chu directed Wicked. You’ve probably seen his other movies, which include Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013).
What age rating will the Wicked movie have?
The official age rating for the Wicked movie has not been announced yet. However, rumors suggest that it’ll be rated 12A in the UK, which is equivalent to a PG-13 rating in the US.
See the Wicked (2024) movie poster
Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the movie poster for Wicked. Image Credit: Universal Pictures
What is Wicked (2024) about?
The Wicked movie is based on the Broadway musical of the same name. It’s a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, focusing on the story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda the Good. The story charts Elphaba’s life from birth to college and explores the rivalry that bubbles up between her and Glinda, which eventually leads to Elphaba being unfairly vilified by the Wizard as she uncovers cracks that threaten the Land of Oz.
Is the Wicked movie a musical?
Oh yes. It wouldn’t be Wicked without showstopping tracks such as “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.” Composer Stephen Schwartz has confirmed that there will be at least two additional songs in the Wicked movie not included in the Broadway show.
Is Wicked related to The Wizard of Oz?
Yes, the setting and characters in Wicked are based on L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900. However, the plot is a unique story, originally written as a novel by Gregory Maguire in 1995, and later adapted for the stage by composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman.
Spoiler alert! The following questions may reveal key plot points.
Is The Wizard of Oz Elphaba’s father?
Yes. At the end of the story, we discover that the Wizard is Elphaba’s biological father. He had an affair with Elphaba’s mother, who was married to the Governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba’s mother died during childbirth, leaving Elphaba with a younger sister, Nessarose.
Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked. Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Is Glinda good or bad in Wicked?
At the start of the story, Glinda comes across as shallow, privileged, and vain. Although Elphaba is labeled as “wicked,” Glinda is the more self-serving character, hyper-focused on boosting her social status. However, she becomes a more rounded person as the story progresses, largely through her relationship with Elphaba.
Why did Elphaba turn evil in Wicked?
Elphaba isn’t truly evil. She comes up against prejudice because of her green skin and personal tragedies that leave her feeling unloved and alienated. When the Wizard and the people of Oz turn against her, she fights back with force, which leads to her actions being viewed as evil. Ultimately, she embodies the reputation unfairly given to her by society.
What happens to Nessarose in Wicked?
Elphaba’s paraplegic sister, Nessarose, becomes the Wicked Witch of the East. She is crushed when Dorothy’s house lands on her in Oz, leaving only her ruby slippers, which Glinda later gives to Dorothy.
What happens to Boq in Wicked?
Boq, despite being in love with Glinda, ends up married to Nessarose in Munchkinland. When Nessarose gains the ability to walk, Boq proclaims his love to Glinda before she marries Fiyero. In desperation, Nessarose casts a spell to make Boq fall in love with her, but incorrectly pronounces the words, and shrinks his heart. To save Boq’s heart, Elphaba attempts another spell, but this time he’s transformed into a tin man. Horrified, Boq runs away.
Why is Wicked being split into two parts?
Director Jon M. Chu didn’t want to butcher the Wicked movie by condensing the story too much and damaging the plot line. So, instead of creating one marathon-length movie, Chu announced that Wicked Part Two is expected to hit movie theaters in November 2025.
Will Wicked and Gladiator 2 be this year’s ‘Barbenheimer?’
Arguably, yes. Both the Wicked movie and Gladiator II are two of 2024’s biggest blockbusters. They share the same movie theater release date in the US, but in the UK, Gladiator II will be released on Nov. 15, two weeks before Wicked.
Watch the Wicked movie trailer
Ready to visit the Wicked movie filming locations? No need to cast any magic spells — just download the Trainline app to explore the sites by train.
See more of your favorite movie and TV show filming locations in the UK by train, including:
- Four Weddings and a Funeral
- The Paddington movies
- Baby Reindeer
- Fool Me Once
- Ted Lasso
- Braveheart
- Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked. Header Image Credit: Universal Pictures
