A newly released featurette from the highly anticipated Wicked movie offers fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production, showcasing a unique artistic decision—Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing all of their songs live on set. This ambitious choice sets the adaptation apart from traditional movie musicals, where actors often lip-sync to pre-recorded tracks.
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The featurette reveals intimate moments from the filming process, including vocal warm-ups and live renditions of iconic songs such as “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.” Both Grande and Erivo are shown embracing the challenges of singing live during scenes, adding authenticity to their performances. Director Jon M. Chu explains in the teaser that, while pre-recording is the norm, the exceptional vocal talent of Grande and Erivo inspired the decision to capture every performance in real time.
“These are some of the best singers in the world,” Chu remarks, noting that the live recordings elevate the emotional impact of the film. Erivo adds that performing the songs live deepened her connection to the lyrics, allowing the music to resonate more naturally with the characters’ emotions.
The Wicked movie is set to bring the beloved musical to life on the big screen when it premieres in theaters on November 22. With live performances and a talented cast, the film promises to offer a fresh, immersive take on the fan-favorite story. Watch the full featurette above for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.
