The widely anticipated Wicked movie adaption includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. She has publicly condemned a fan-made alteration of the movie poster, calling it “deeply hurtful.” Erivo’s face is completely visible in the original Wicked poster from Universal Pictures, and her eyes are fixed on the camera. The modified version, on the other hand, hides Erivo’s eyes to resemble the emblem of the original Broadway production, in which the character’s eyes are covered by a wide-brimmed hat.
“There is an artwork on the original poster. On her Instagram Story and X (previously Twitter), Cynthia Erivo stated, “I am a real-life human being who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer… because without words, we communicate with our eyes.” She portrays Elphaba, who transforms into the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande, her co-star, plays Glinda, the Good Witch.
Erivo expressed that altering the Wicked poster to hide her face was not only offensive but also diminished her role in the movie. “Our poster is an homage, not an imitation. To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful,” she shared on social media.
Controversy Over the Fan-Made Edits
The introduction of the movie poster did not lessen the fervor that the Wicked fandom is known for. Following the release of the original poster, some fans started editing it to more closely reflect the artwork from the Broadway production. These changes included strong red lipstick to fit the theatrical look and lowering Elphaba’s hat to hide Erivo’s eyes. Cynthia Erivo thought these adjustments were insulting, while some fans thought they were an improvement.
“Equal to that terrible AI of us fighting, this is the strangest, most obnoxious thing I have ever seen… It’s not funny at all. It’s all not cute. It makes me feel inferior. It diminishes us,” Erivo said. She also blasted other offensive memes making the rounds online and brought up a popular AI-generated video showing the Wicked poster’s actors fighting.
Support from the Wicked Team
The two-part film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical is being directed by Jon M. Chu, who expressed his support for Erivo. “♥♥♥ @cynthiaerivo is my superhero ♥♥♥,” he remarked on her Instagram post with the accurate version of the movie poster.
Ariana Grande, Chu, and Erivo have been promoting the movie, which opens in theaters on November 22. The story of Elphaba at Shiz University, where she meets Glinda and the two form an unusual friendship in spite of their differences, will be followed in the film. The second volume of the Wicked adaption is scheduled for release in 2025.
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A Tribute to Broadway, Not a Direct Copy
Erivo stressed that the goal of the movie poster was to pay tribute to the famous Broadway images without exactly replicating them. She said again, “Our poster is an homage, not an imitation.” The controversy surrounding the poster serves as a reminder of the difficulties of bringing a great stage musical to a new audience while still pleasing ardent fans.
The Impact of Erivo's Role in Wicked
One of the most well-known parts of Cynthia Erivo’s career is playing Elphaba in the Wicked movie adaption. The Grammy, Tony, and Emmy-winning actress discussed how playing Elphaba was a very significant experience for her at the Wicked presentation at CinemaCon. “I want everyone to recognize themselves in the film and understand how great it is to be different. That, in my opinion, is the primary goal of this,” she said.
Similar thoughts were expressed by co-star Ariana Grande, who stated that both actresses felt obligated to honor these legendary roles. “We poured our hearts, our souls, so many lashes, wands, and we gave it all we possibly could,” Grande said.
Exploring New Horizons
In addition to her starring role, Cynthia Erivo has expressed interest in exploring directing, inspired by her co-star Michelle Yeoh, who won an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yeoh encouraged Erivo to consider directing, saying, “I can see it.” This encouragement may pave the way for Erivo’s future endeavors in filmmaking.
The Wicked Movie: What to Expect
Set as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked story begins with Elphaba arriving at Shiz University, where she clashes with the popular Glinda. Despite their differences, the two form a friendship that takes them to the Emerald City, where they encounter the not-so-wonderful Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum. The movie aims to capture the magic of the stage production while expanding on the characters’ backstories.
The first installment of Wicked will arrive in theaters on November 22, with the second chapter set for release in November 2025. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing their favorite moments from the musical, including the iconic songs “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” performed by the talented cast.
The controversy over the Wicked poster highlights the complexities of adapting beloved stories into new formats. For Cynthia Erivo, the fan edits went beyond artistic expression; they touched on issues of respect and representation. As Wicked prepares to hit theaters, the film’s stars continue to advocate for an authentic portrayal that honors the original musical while creating a unique cinematic experience.
