Universal Pictures Presents “Wicked” ~ BEFORE Dorothy

By Mango Sorbet - September 20, 2024

Universal Pictures figured out a way to bridge the generation gap.

“Wicked” will be released on November 22, 2024; a sequel is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.

“Wicked” is a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical. The stage musical was based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire and characters from L. Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was published in 1900. (Per Wikipedia.)

This is flipping hilarious to me. Let me explain. I know I’m telling my age with this story, but hear me out.

The first television broadcast of “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, was in 1956. In my childhood home, watching this cinematic wonder every year was TRADITION! In my memory, even though the yellow brick road wasn’t yellow, the red ruby slippers were not red, and there was no green in the Emerald City (because we had a black and white TV) … watching this dream-like film year after year was enchanting … mesmerizing … other-worldly.

I planned to carry on the tradition when I became a mother. By then, there was no need to wait for an annual TV broadcast. You could buy a videotape or a DVD for your home entertainment library. OR … you could even go to your local library and check it out. I chose to check out the video from to the local public library and I’m glad I did. WHY? Because it would have been a waste of money to buy it for our home library. MY kids just weren’t all that thrilled.

I couldn’t believe it! The video from the library was IN COLOR!! They could see that the yellow brick road was YELLOW and Dorothy’s ruby red slippers were RED … and … and … What do you mean it’s … BORING!!

“Yeah mom! This isn’t all that great! Sorry. Got any other movies we can watch?”

WHAT?? Do they realize that at one time this movie was one of the most-watched events in television history??!! IT’S A CLASSIC!

(Huge sigh.) Years have passed. Now I have grandchildren. I just watched the official trailer for “Wicked”, starring Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, who will become Glinda, the Good Witch of the North; and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, who will become the Wicked Witch of the West.

I never imagined these two witches had a story BEFORE Dorothy.

You know what? I plan to watch this flick with or without disapproving kids or grandkids. I don’t need them ruining my quality entertainment MEtime! LOL.

Unfortunately, “Wicked” is not yet available on streaming platforms. But I’m sure it will be.

Universal Pictures owns an extensive catalog of films, including classics. They have their own platform, Peacock; plus many Universal films are already available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

Seriously! The “Wicked” trailer has me so excited! Aren’t you?