Evil hits theaters a little earlier!
The highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway sensation will now arrive a week earlier on November 22, five days ahead of its initial Thanksgiving weekend release date of November 27. The move takes the film out of direct competition with Disney Moana 2which is still scheduled to be released on November 27th.
Evil — which stars Ariana Grande It is Cynthia Erivo as its two main witches — will hit theaters on the same day as another major sequel, Gladiator IIwhich released the first photos just hours before Universal Pictures good news about Evilprevious release date.
On X (formerly Twitter), the film’s director, Jon M. Chu, made the announcement to fans, sharing that The Wizard of Oz prequel – which won three Tony Awards after its Broadway debut more than two decades ago – would soon be defying gravity in theaters.
“5. DAYS. BEFORE!!!! Let’s go!! #WickedMovie #November 22” Chu, 44, wrote in a tweet Monday night.
The film follows the story of Glinda the Good (Great) Witch and Erivo as Elphaba – also known as the Wicked Witch of the West – and how they went from enemies to unlikely friends while together on the campus of Shiz University. The adaptation also stars Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero — the love interest who finds himself caught between Elphaba and Glinda — Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as director Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum like the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The announcement comes after ET spoke to the original Elphaba on Broadway, Idina Menzelat the 2024 Tony Awards in June, where she shared her enthusiasm in the project — which has been in development for nearly two decades — finally hitting theaters later this year.
“I’m really excited. I’m really proud of it, and it’s going to reach a whole different audience,” Menzel said.
Later that night, Menzel and his successor went up on stage together after Universal Pictures released another new trailer for Evil. Just as the trailer featured short and sweet snippets of the songs “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” the interaction between Menzel and Erivo before the announcement the winner of the Best Musical award was equally exciting for fans of the musical.
“I’m going to go off script real quick to say how excited I am to see what I know is going to be an incredible performance in that movie you’re doing,” Menzel said as Erivo responded, “I love you.”
“And I just want to say the power of Green Girl!” Menzel added.
Wicked: Part One will be released on November 22, 2024 while Wicked: Part Two is expected on November 26, 2025.
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