Wicked movie: Ariana Grande posts a sneak peek picture as Glinda

Image source, Reuters

We've just had our first look at Ariana Grande - aka Glinda the Good Witch - in the upcoming Wicked movie, and we think she's going to be 'Popular'!

The hit musical about two witches in the land of Oz has been a favourite since it first opened in 2003 on Broadway in New York.

It's won countless awards from Tonys to Grammys, and its enduring popularity has led to a movie being made about it.

Who does Ariana Grande play in Wicked?

Wicked: Part 1 will be released in November 2024 in the US, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the good witch, and Cynthia Eriva as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

Image source, Ariana Grande / Instagram

Image caption, Ariana looks like she's Defying Gravity going up those stairs

Both actors have simultaneously released images of themselves in costume on their Instagram accounts, to the delight of Wicked fans the world over.

Both pictures are fairly dark, and the characters are a bit far away, but you can make out key costume details, like Glinda's ruffled pink dress and Elphaba's hat and broomstick.

Image source, Cynthia Erivo / Instagram

Image caption, We don't care what anyone says, Cynthia IS That Girl!
Video caption, The village of Ivinghoe in Buckinghamshire has been transformed into the land of Oz, as filming of the star-studded musical gets underway there

What's Wicked about?

The original story of the Wizard of Oz portrays the Wicked Witch of the West as an enemy Dorothy has to overcome in order to get back home to Kansas.

Wicked provides an alternative view to this classic tale - in it, the Wizard of Oz is actually the baddie, and Elphaba is given a bad reputation to hide some of the awful things he does.

Image source, Victor Chavez / Getty

Image caption, The musical has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world

The first act takes place before Dorothy's arrival in Oz, and the second act during her time there.

Elphaba and Glinda have a strained relationship, but over the course of the story realise that their friendship has changed each other for the better.