The Wicked actors toast a job well done!
Over the week, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and other stars of the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical shared sentimental posts in honor of the film’s nearing completion of principal photography.
Erivo, who plays Elphaba (the Green Witch), called the project and everything that comes with it “the greatest gift I could ever ask for” in a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday.
“I’m trying to think of what to say when this day finally comes, and I just can’t, because I honestly don’t have enough words to fully express what this experience means to me, so I’ll leave you with this,” she wrote. “The universe will take things away to make room for the great gifts that await us.”
Check out the 2 matches of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Wicked Tattoos
“THIS moment, this film, these people, this cast, this crew, this director, my Glinda, were the greatest gift I could have ever asked for, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to bring you this Elphie,” Erivo, 37, added with a picture of her shadow on stage. “I hope that when you meet her, you’ll love her as fiercely as I do. And with that, it’s the end for me, Elphie out!! 💚💚💚.”
Grande, 30, commented, “Love you always,” under Eriva’s post and even shared her touching tribute Wicked on Thursday. During the production, she and her co-star became close, even getting tattoos along the way.
“Like a handprint on my heart,” the pop star captioned a picture of her own shadow as Glinda the Good Witch.
Everything you need to know about the movie ‘Wicked’ starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Other cast members, including Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater, have hailed the production – with Bailey sharing the title “Danced All the Way”.
Director Jon M. Chu shared some additional black and white images from the set with the caption: “Then close your eyes. Clap your heels 3 times and think to yourself…”
“Thank you to the huge crew and cast and @universalpictures pictures for supporting the most ambitious cinematic production I’ve ever been a part of or, frankly, ever witnessed,” Chu wrote. “We built a real Munchkinland! A multi-level Shiz University campus! I walked and shopped in the real Emerald City and met an actual wizard head that moved in real time.”
He continued: “And fill that space with crazy LIVE vocals @cynthiaerivo @arianagrande @jbayleaf @michelleyeoh_official @jeffgoldblum @ethanslater @fayedunaway @marissa_edob @bronwynjamesofficial @realkealasettle @aaronteoh and more?!! For most of the year my jaw was on the floor and heart in the clouds. Cameras started rolling here in London in November 2022 and now in January 2024 our principal photography is officially complete. Wow. Breathe out. I’m closing my eyes.”
First Wicked the film is set to hit theaters in November 2024, with the second film set to arrive a year later.
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Wicked actor Bowen Yang spoke with PEOPLE in late November at the 2023 American Museum of Natural History Gala in New York, where he raved about Grande and admitted he loves “everything” about the costar.
“I mean, her whole demeanor. Her way of looking at the world,” Yang said. “She’s an incredibly empathetic, beautiful, sensitive person and it shows very clearly in her music.”
“I just think the fact that she’s hilarious is totally ridiculous. I think she’s the perfect person for anyone around,” he added. “Regardless of capacity. So I love her.”
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