Wicked FIRST LOOK: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo seen in character as Glinda and Elphaba as film’s director says ‘they will lift ur spirits, break ur heart’

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo posted behind-the-scenes shots from their respective roles as Glinda and Elphaba in the forthcoming film adaptation of Wicked on Sunday.

Grande, 29, posted an image of her character, the good witch Glinda, donning a pink gown while making her way up a long staircase.

Erivo, 36, shared a shot of her character, wicked witch Elphaba pictured with her hat and broom.

The film’s director Jon M. Chu posted both of shots with the caption, ‘You weren’t told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road? FIRST LOOK of the #WickedMovie … currently in production in Oz.’

Erivo responded in the comments, ‘It’s been wonderful making magic with you.’

Chu also took to Twitter to praise his leading ladies and their performances in the upcoming movie.

‘I’ve already been changed for good by these two women… #CynthiaErivo & #ArianaGrande as the Witches of Oz,’ he said. ‘They will lift ur spirits, break ur heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you into our world… SO much more to come…’

The film is based on Gregory Maguire’s  best selling novel and the hit Broadway musical adaptation, which debuted in 2003 starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.

It is a prequel to the The Wizard of Oz in which the storyline proceeds Dorothy and details the one-time friendship between the Elphaba and Glinda characters. 

It also stars Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, as well as Bowen Yang, Adam James, Keala Settle and Bronwyn James. 

Last month, the women were pictured together in a series of shots they shared to the social media site. Grande captioned the snaps, ‘up to (no) good’ and added bubbles and a broom emoji.

In the first photo, the women sat in the back of a car; Grande was dressed in an elegant pink polka dot gown and long white gloves with her blonde hair in her trademark high ponytail, with a pair of Mikimoto dangling pearl earrings.

Erivo was dressed in a short plaid dress with tall black boots and big hoop earrings as the two women looked at each other.

The film’s director Jon M. Chu posted both of shots with the caption, ‘You weren’t told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road?

Chu to Twitter to praise his leading ladies and their performances in the upcoming movie 

Something Wicked: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo wowed as they shared behind-the-scenes snaps from their roles as Glinda and Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked in March

The carousel of snaps also featured some behind-the-scenes shots from the set of Wicked, including one shot of two pairs of feet in which Grande tagged Chu and the Wicked Movie account. 

In the BTS shots, Eviro could be seen with long, pointy nails that are painted black as she holds Grande’s hand. 

Last month, Jeff Goldblum let it slip that he had been cast in the film while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. 

‘I was just on the set of Wicked. I’m not supposed to talk about that. But it’s been out and about,’ he said. ‘You should see our witches, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, very good.’

Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps.

Wicked Part 1 was originally set for a Christmas Day, 2024 release but it has been moved up to November 27, 2024, with the second installment set to arrive December 25, 2025.

Chu shared the new release date on Instagram last month, writing, ‘We are deep into shooting WICKED here in London and we’ve received an overwhelming amount of messages asking us to release the movie earlier than planned and trust me, we want it too…so we now have a BRAND NEW RELESE DATE!! NOVEMBER 27th 2024!!!

‘Bring the family, bring your friends…it’s going to be a ride!!! appreciate all your support through this long production process. Shooting two movies at once is no small feat. Cannot wait to share more.’

Two parts: Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps

Co-stars: The film also stars Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey and is directed by Jon M. Chu

Thankful: Wicked Part 1 will be released on Thanksgiving Day 2024 with Part 2 coming a year later

Long shoot: The film began shooting early this year and is expected to wrap in July

Last month, it was revealed that Oscar winner Yeoh was living in a £1,500-a-night suite at a luxury hotel in London since the start of the filming of Wicked. 

Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University and was  originally played by actress Carole Shelley in the original Broadway Wicked musical. 

Director Chu revealed the news about Wicked being split into two films on Instagram. The film is expected to continue shooting until at least July.