Chu’s prequel and origin story — based on the long-running Broadway musical which debuted in 2003 — she’s Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), a shy, misunderstood young woman born with special powers and a viridescent tone.

Erivo has to bide her time in the film, knowing that Elphaba’s transformation into the black hat-wearing crone will come; she graciously lets Grande steal every scene going as Galinda, a girl who simply loves flopping on a bed in fake consternation. It’s a hilarious performance, one of the year’s most enjoyable.

Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum also star in Jon M. Chu's 'Wizard of Oz'-inspired fantasy, based on the $1.7 billion Broadway blockbuster.

The film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande opens in theaters on Nov. 22.

Not everything soars but Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are dynamite as besties in "Wicked," a "Wizard of Oz" prequel based on the Broadway show.

Wickeds new advertisement shows Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as kids who grow up loving The Wizard of Oz and their reactions when being cast.

In "The Wizard of Oz," there can be no doubt which witch is the worst witch: That would be the one with the army of flying monkeys, who melts upon contact with water. But in "Wicked," the green-skinned spell-caster turns out to be far more sympathetic than Glinda,

Jon M. Chu’s film of the hit Broadway musical is an absolute thrill: wonderfully cast, beautifully sung, dazzlingly designed and costumed, writes Moira Macdonald.