WICKED (2024): Universal’s Holiday Movie Tentpole Seems to Have “Oscar” Written All Over It

Wicked Could Lead Stars to Awards Recognition

Jon M. Chu‘s upcoming film, Wicked, has gotten off to a great start with early first reactions that suggest it could be recognized with award nominations this season.

Although some of the biggest film critics working today haven’t yet spoken out about the quality of Wicked, enough reputable film connoisseurs have said enough to suggest audiences may be in for a treat this holiday season. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are said to deliver performances that will potentially be remembered by awards branches this holiday season and thereafter. That’s no surprise given the quality of the stars’ previous work although the praise surrounding Grande has been delightful given her lack of experience in film acting. Still, as Glinda, Grande’s work in this picture could also be enough to warrant a costume idea for upcoming Halloweens, not to mention Grande’s probable ticket to the Oscars next year.

Universal should have a big hit on their hands with Wicked Part One. It should be really “popular” with fans of the Broadway musical that has stood the test of time, and the movie could “defy gravity” and stay at the very top of the box-office charts this holiday season. Erivo’s Elphaba is suggested to be a work of great complexity that will show off the actress’s acting chops and then some. November 22nd is when this “spectacle” of a movie will make its way to theaters. It co-stars Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard.

Jon M. Chu didn’t get the box-office respect he deserved with 2021’s terrific In the Heights but, this time out, big things will most likely happen for the high-profile film director. For one, this film is more teen and pre-teen friendly than Chu’s previous efforts which will help drive holiday movie-going season ticket sales. Grande’s knack for comic timing was cited by those who have seen the film, and she could be a very possible candidate for a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She could do even better at the Golden Globes depending on what category she is promoted in. Grande’s time has officially come to crossover from the world of music into film and she gave us a sneak preview at what she could do in the movies with her small, but fun, role in the Oscar-nominated science-fiction picture, Don’t Look Up.

Cynthia Erivo’s time to shine bright has certainly been a long time in the making, and this upcoming film could officially be her ticket to bona-fide stardom. She’s gotten accolades before but never in a film of this magnitude. This first Wicked film is certainly going to be nothing like the film version of the Broadway show, Cats, which bombed out big time. Judging from the preliminary feedback, which is absolutely superb, Wicked will be the most “popular” ticket this holiday season at the domestic and worldwide box-offices. Oscar nods could, indeed, follow.

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