Universal’s Wicked: For Good—the sequel to the hit adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical about the witches of Oz—is projected to soar to an enchanting $115 million to $120 million opening over Thanksgiving weekend, according to early box office tracking. That would mark yet another record-breaking debut for a Broadway musical brought to the big screen.
The film, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande
and Cynthia Erivo, hits North American theaters on November 21, just ahead of
the holiday, and will premiere globally the same day. Market research firm NRG
currently pegs the domestic opening at around $115 million, but industry
insiders suggest it could easily edge closer to $120 million, given the strong
awareness and audience excitement.
Sources say advance ticket sales for For Good are
outpacing those of the first Wicked film, although Universal is keeping
expectations moderate at $115 million.
Last year, the original Wicked shattered records with
a $112.5 million domestic debut—the biggest ever for a movie musical—and went
on to gross nearly $750 million worldwide. The sequel once again brings
together producer Marc Platt, director Jon M. Chu, and stars Grande and Erivo,
who reprise their roles as Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch
of the West. Both actresses, along with the film itself, are expected to be
major contenders in this year’s awards race.
Unlike last Thanksgiving, when Gladiator II shared
the spotlight with Wicked, this year’s holiday weekend belongs solely to
Wicked: For Good as the only major studio tentpole debuting. The
following week, Disney’s Zootopia 2 will join the box office lineup.
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