Behind the Magic: The Unlikely Friendship of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on the 'Wicked' Set

Almost three decades later, the lavish £112 million production has boldly *thrown every penny on the screen*, transforming Oz into a dazzling spectacle. Think witches on broomsticks and—why not?—flying monkeys making a grand entrance. It’s a visual feast that makes you wonder where your wallet went!

Shot back-to-back over two years, this cinematic wonder was wrapped around a Hollywood writers’ strike that paused production—because when you're busy bringing magic to life, why let a little thing like a strike hold you back?

Production designer Nathan Crowley had the brilliant idea of hiring Norfolk farmers to plant *nine million* tulip bulbs, just to ensure that Oz's floral landscape was dripping with color—and, presumably, to keep the farmers happy till the next harvest. Who knew a movie about a Wicked Witch would have such a strong agricultural tie-in?

In another universe, the two lead stars could have collided with egos larger than the Wizard himself, but instead, they forged a friendship as deep as the bond between Elphaba and Glinda. Clearly, they formed a *mutual admiration society*, proving that when you’re in the land of magic, sorcery isn’t the only thing that brings people together.

“It’s an American fairytale,” gushes Crowley, and who can argue with that? This is a story that is, at its core, about a friendship that leads to life-altering transformation—*and who doesn’t want that?* Screenwriter Winnie Holzman chimes in, adding, “This is a movie that is, at heart, about a friendship that changes two lives in profound ways.” Which is just poetic enough to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

It's been 21 years since *Chicago* carried home the best picture Oscar, and while we’ve been dazzled by *Dreamgirls*, *Les Miserables*, and *The Greatest Showman*, let’s not forget the more *yawn-inducing* stage-to-screen adaptations like *Nine*, *Rock of Ages*, *The Heights*, *Dear Evan Hansen*, and, oh yes, 2019's infamous *Cats*. They say you can’t win them all, but darling, really, couldn't someone have just asked for a re-do?

Vanity Fair has praised this audacious film adaptation as “so confident in its zaniness, so assured in its world-building, and so defiantly big-budget that it sweeps you away like a house in a tornado.” That sounds almost like an invitation to leave your worries behind, fly on a broomstick, or, let’s be honest, just hit the popcorn.

Cynthia Erivo, adorned in Wicked Witch black and sporting quite the array of wigs, spent up to *four hours* each day in the makeup chair, transforming herself into Elphaba's iconic green visage. It seems that wearing green is indeed the new black, and frankly, I’m here for it. Break out the highlighters!

With the show breaking box office records on Broadway and the West End, and selling over *£80 million* in merchandise—who knew that just wearing a pointy hat could be so lucrative? “Everyone wants to go to the Emerald City,” and who wouldn’t? It’s a glitzy land paved with a glittering promise.

However, the drama of this musical is so massive, they had no choice but to carve it into two films. *Wicked* delves into the pre-Dorothy days, exploring the friendship between two budding witches against a backdrop of both magic and political turmoil, where talking animals live like second-class citizens—a blatant metaphor maybe, or just an interesting dinner party discussion?

Pop superstar Ariana Grande graces the stage as the sweet yet self-absorbed Glinda the Good Witch, while the sensational Cynthia Erivo takes the lead as the misunderstood, green-skinned Elphaba. It’s a match made in enchanted heaven—a sort of dynamic duo with a twist, leaving audiences wondering if they'll ever be able to *just* hit a high note without contemplating the complexities of friendship.