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Wicked Stars' Friendship Elevates Iconic Characters on Screen
30 Oct
Summary
- Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's close bond enhanced their portrayals of Elphaba and Galinda
- Director Jon M. Chu marveled at the stars' ability to put the story above their own egos
- Chu believes the actresses' performances will make the characters more relatable than ever
In a recent interview, director Jon M. Chu marveled at the close friendship that has blossomed between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the stars of the upcoming Wicked movie adaptation. Chu, 45, says it has been a joy to witness the two powerhouse vocalists, aged 32 and 38 respectively, come together to bring the beloved characters of Elphaba and Galinda to life.
"These two are the two biggest voices in the world, maybe in our lifetime. They could have hated each other," Chu notes. "There could have been insane divaship, but they always put Wicked bigger than themselves, and I think that's a great sign of a great artist that they could immerse themselves in Elphaba and Galinda and they could find themselves within these characters."
Chu believes the actresses' close bond has only served to make Elphaba and Galinda's dynamic more captivating than ever. "I think it only makes Elphaba and Galinda bigger than life, and we get to know them more intimately than ever," he adds. "It made my job a lot easier."
With the highly anticipated Wicked: Part One set to hit theaters on November 21st, Chu is confident that fans will be blown away by Grande and Erivo's stunning performances. "If you thought these girls were good in movie one, wait until you see what they're able to do in movie two. It is absolutely stunning."
