SACRAMENTO, Calif. — "Wicked" is an upcoming movie musical starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, based on the hit Broadway show. In order to prepare for his interview with the cast, ABC10's Mark S. Allen is doing something different: He's asking you for help!
HOW YOU CAN HELP MARK:
Got questions for the cast of "Wicked?" Send a video of yourself asking that question to Mark on the ABC10 mobile app (use the Near Me section) or the ABC10 text line at (916) 321-3310.
HERE ARE 3 THINGS TO KNOW:
- The movie has an all-star cast. It may feel like the whole world knows that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are the lead roles in the story, Glinda and Elphaba, but they aren't the only ones to keep an eye out for.
Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Peter Dinklage each play characters in the movie. Saturday Night Live's Bowen Yang and "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical" lead Ethan Slater will also be featured in the movie. - The majority of the singing in the "Wicked" movie was recorded live. According to Jon M. Chu, director of the movie, the cast performed the songs as they were filming the scenes.
"When we came into this movie, we weren't sure how much we were going to do live or not but they are the best singers of the world, and so every scene they have been singing live," Chu said.
Both Grande and Erivo were for the decision.
"It was an immediate no-brainer for Cynthia and I," Grande said. "We both were like 'Well, of course we are singing live.'"
"We chose to sing live because it meant that we would be further connected to the words we were saying and to each other," Erivo said. "There is something special about what happens when music is live in a room." - This isn't the first musical film that Chu has directed. Chu directed 2021's "In The Heights," based on the Broadway show by Lin-Manuel Miranda and the book by Quiara Alegría. The movie was deemed Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes, earning a 96% critic rating.
Chu also directed "Crazy Rich Asians," "Now You See Me 2, "Justin Bieber's Believe," and Justin Bieber's "Beauty and a Beat" music video featuring Nicki Minaj.
CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF:
- Web: "Wicked" Movie Trailer
- Location: "Wicked" Movie Showtimes
MARK EVERY MORNING:
Every morning on the ABC10 Morning News Mark S. Allen shines light on the people making a positive difference in our communities and the world. He also routinely chats with A-list award-winning stars of stage, screen and things-to-be-seen as he offers up entertainment options and what to watch.
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WATCH MORE MARK: Mark S. Allen previews the new Wicked movie
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