Cynthia Erivo addresses the viral edits of theWickedmovie poster. In a homage to the iconic poster advertising the Broadway musical, the movie adaptation released a poster of Glinda (Ariana Grande) whispering into the ear of Elphaba (Erivo). This led to fan edits that made the poster look more similar to the original Broadway version, where Elphaba’s eyes are hidden by the shadow of the hat Glinda gives her in theWickedstory.
On Instagram stories,Erivoresponds to the edits, describing them as"the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen"and that the edits are"deeply harmful.“Erivo emphasized that the poster"is a homage, not an imitation"and that"to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me.“In addition to the edits being degrading to her and Grande, she also explains that they are hurtful after she made the creative choice to look directly into the camera to communicate with her eyes. Check out Erivo’s post below:
What This Means For Wicked
Change Is Part Of Adaptation
Erivo’s post is an important reminder thattheWickedmovies are adaptations and are inevitably going to make creative changesfrom the Broadway musical. Just as the movie poster has differences from the Broadway one, so will the actual movies. One of the most significant changes will be the length of the story, with the movies being split into two feature-length films, and the first movie having a two-hour and 40 more runtime, which is nearly the length of the full Broadway musical.
When The Wicked Movie Will End & Split The Broadway Musical
The Broadway musical Wicked is being adapted into two movies, with a specific moment from the stage serving as the end of part 1 to set up part 2.
Those who want to see every aspect of the movies being identical to the musical will be setting themselves up for disappointment. As done with the poster, which is a homage to the original, theWickedcastand creators cherish the Broadway musical and will be honoring it through the adaptations that they are bringing to life.It is possible to honor what has come before while also making changes, especially when a story is being adapted into a different artistic medium.
Our Take On Cynthia Erivo’s Response
She Has Shared An Important Truth
Erivo sends a powerful message by taking a firm stanceagainst the viral edits of theWickedposter. She makes it clear that dehumanizing her and her co-stars will not be tolerated at the expense of making a movie poster look more similar to the Broadway one. There is no point in adapting any stories if the adaptations do not make any creative changes. TheWickedmovies need to be given a chance to share the full vision of their adaptations, including the promotional material, and not have them be immediately condemned due to differences from what has come before.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
