A new listing on movie ticketing site indicates that John M. Chu’s “Wicked” film will clock in at a rather long 2 hours 40 minutes. Remember the film this year is only ‘Part One’, with the second part already shot and hitting cinemas next year.
Together the screen musical overall looks set to be at least four hours and more likely closer to five. That number is surprising considering that the entire stage musical clocks in at 2 hours 45 minutes and that’s with a 20 minute intermission. The film’s director Jon M.
Chu has previously stated they are only adding scenes to the film adaptation and not cutting anything out from the stage version. Seems they’re adding a lot going by this runtime. The films show the untold story of the witches of Oz.
Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power. Ariana Grande co-stars as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship.
Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle and Jeff Goldblum co-star. The first film premieres November 27th and comes ahead of a second part releasin.
