Bon Jovi in the documentary ‘Thank You, Goodnight – The Bon Jovi Story’. Photo: Hulu.
Preview:
A biopic about rock group Bon Jovi is in the works.
It’ll focus on their early days.
Universal is backing the project.
Music biopics continue to be a hot commodity in the movie world. With Michael Jackson film ‘Michael’ the next to hit screens, Deadline reports that Universal is in development on one about the early days of rock superstars Bon Jovi.
The new film development follows 2024 Hulu documentary series ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,’ and crucially includes the involvement of producer Gotham Chopra, who directed the doc and has access to the band members.
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That’s likely going to be key to getting the band’s stories and their music rights, though it also tends to lead to accusations of leaving out any thorny issues.
Bon Jovi in the documentary ‘Thank You, Goodnight – The Bon Jovi Story’. Photo: Hulu.
Cody Brotter, who has worked on several scripts about real-life figures, will write the new biopic.
Expect the focus to be on the younger days of the band members, including front man Bon Jovi (real name: Jon Bongiovi), keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Alec John Such and lead guitarist/fellow songwriter Richie Sambora.
It’ll chronicle their struggles and triumphs as they look to make their mark on the music industry.
When will the Bon Jovi biopic be on screens?
There is no official information on a release date just yet –– but expect Universal to push to get this one made quickly.
With a writer aboard, the studio is halfway there – but is it living on a prayer?
Jon Bon Jovi in the documentary ‘Thank You, Goodnight – The Bon Jovi Story’. Photo: David Bergman/Hulu.
Chris Pine is looking to make a deal to appear in ‘The Catch.’
He’d star opposite Emma Stone.
Universal is producing the new romantic comedy.
Now that Emma Stone has some free time beyond working with director Yorgos Lanthimos on their wild and weird movies, she’s locked down what seems likely to be her next project, a new romantic comedy called ‘The Catch.’
With Universal nabbing the rights to the eventual movie, the rom-com has ‘Brigsby Bear’ director Dave McCary aboard to call the shots, which makes us think this won’t be a straight forward tale of love and relationships.
While many movies with that title tend to chronicle the lives of fishermen, we don’t actually know whether this one will feature scenes set on a trawler (seems unlikely!)
All we really know beyond the rom-com genre is that Patrick Kang and Michael Levin wrote the script and that prolific producer Shawn Levy is among those shepherding it to screens.
Stone’s interest in making this her next movie means it should get moving quickly.
Where else can we see Chris Pine?
Chris Pine plays Edgin in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.
Pine is coming off strong reviews for ‘Carousel’, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January, and has a few other movies on the way, including action pic ‘Run the Night’, crime thriller ‘Nowhere Fast’ and sci-fi comedy ‘Alpha Gang’.
(L to R) Ariana Grande (as Glinda), Director Jon M. Chu, and Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba), on the set of ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Continuing the epic story of magic and friendship begun in last year’s ‘Wicked,’ follow-up ‘Wicked: For Good’ returns us to the land of Oz, where witches Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) are still trying to save their home from the machinations of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Moviefone was in attendance at a virtual press conference for the epic film, which featured director/writer Jon M. Chu, and stars Grande and Erivo.
1) Ariana Grande had to keep a handle on where Glinda was in the story
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Since ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wicked: For Good’ were shot together, the cast had to make sure they knew where each scene fit on their character’s journey, and Ariana Grande also wanted to explore more about Glinda.
Ariana Grande: “We filmed both at the same time, which I know is insane. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of the week we would be filming part one, and then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, we’d be filming part two, so it was simultaneous. I just wanted to make sure that I knew who she was as well as possible before we even got there. So even things about her that you never got to see on screen, if they weren’t referenced in a scene, talked about or performed, I just wanted to make sure that, even in the first film, beneath the shiny, perfect exterior, her you know, bubble of privilege, as I call it, there’s a person underneath that has a lot of insecurities, a lot of little wounds that, you know, contribute to her need for all of that external validation.”
2) Cynthia Erivo wasn’t prepared for how the first ‘Wicked’ movie and its characters have been embraced
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba (center) in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Cynthia Erivo: “I don’t think I could have fully prepared for what has happened since, since the first movie, and what is happening now. I knew that it would be a life-changing project from the beginning. But I don’t think I quite know the gravity of – please excuse the pun – of what it would be. I knew it was something that would challenge me. I knew it was something that would change the way I see my art, or increase the love I have for it.”
3) Ariana Grande was nervous performing one of the two original songs for the new movie
(L to R) Bowen Yang is Pfannee, Bronwyn James is Shenshen, and Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Ariana Grande: “It was daunting and also so incredible, the privilege of a lifetime to originate a Stephen Schwartz song. But of course there’s a scary element, it’s a new piece. To be trusted with that was all of the right kinds of nerve-wracking, and also just such an honour. But what I love most about it is that it’s such a narrative piece for her. I’m so glad that we get to see her experience that moment of change, that to make that choice to begin the chapter of being truly good.”
4) Cynthia Erivo is proud of one song in particular in ‘For Good’
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Cynthia Erivo: “I’m really proud of ‘No Good Deed,’ because we shot it in the space, but it was me on my own, there was no-one there. I’m shooting against really a blue screen and a plinth and fire and rocks. And so the dynamism with which we had to shoot it, looking back at the memories, looking back at things that had gone past, none of that was there to look at, it’s all in the mind. So I was really proud of being able to do something that was that big, that grand, and still be able to hone into the feeling, the moment.”
5) Director Jon M. Chu worried about the smallest detail – even down to the shade of the Yellow Brick Road.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba), Ariana Grande (as Glinda), and Director Jon M. Chu on the set of ‘Wicked For Good’.
Jon M. Chu: “I want to walk away from this beautiful experience, look back and say, “wow, the whole thing was great, and the world saw us and saw our work as well.” Every day I thought about that in the edit room. Even colour. Yellow, we talked about yellow so long, and then you go from [color tones] P3 to Rec709, and the yellow’s all over the place again. I had to make sure that it’s the yellow we talked about three years ago. So those are the things that keep me up at night, and whether people saw it or not, I don’t know, but I really wanted it to be something we could be proud of.”
‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu, opens in theaters on November 21st.
What’s the story of ‘Wicked: For Good’?
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Following a pop cultural behemoth such as ‘Wicked’ was never going to be an easy feat, and the challenges were more than the simple fact that the second film was shot at the same time as the first with no room for course correction if anything didn’t click with audiences.
As with the second half of the show, which doesn’t feature quite the same level of memorable music as the first (save perhaps the emotional finale which gives this new movie its name), ‘Wicked: For Good’ suffers some in comparison with the 2024 movie, but it still manages to be a fitting, heartfelt adaptation.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Ariana Grande (as Glinda), Director Jon M. Chu, and Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba), on the set of ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Screenwriters Winnie Holzman (who wrote the book for the musical) and Dana Fox have once again expanded on the stage show’s basic plotline, taking advantage of the different medium to flesh out certain elements. Some work wonderfully –– the characters of Nessarose and Boq in particular get meatier material, while others feel less necessary, such as flashbacks that feel like filler and, in one moment, what is meant to be a callback to Elphaba’s glimpse of her younger self during “Defying Gravity” that here comes off as a repetitive rip-off.
The two new songs by composer Stephen Schwartz are good but don’t really hold a candle to the original showstoppers.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Once again, and unsurprisingly, this is really all about Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba, with the former given more of a character arc this time. Both actors are excellent, offering powerhouse musical performances but also finding the nuance when needed.
Of the supporting cast, Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard is still a quirky delight, while Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater take full advantage of more to do with Nessarose and Boq. Dorothy, meanwhile, is treated much like the stage version: very much a shadow presence.
Final Thoughts
Jeff Goldblum is The Wizard of Oz in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
To say ‘For Good’ isn’t as good as ‘Wicked’ is not to try and tear it down. Make no mistake, this is another soaring, spectacular trip to the land of Oz, and nails the landing.
‘Wicked: For Good’ receives 85 out of 100.
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
What’s the story of ‘Wicked: For Good’?
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
Who is in the cast of ‘Wicked: For Good’?
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba
Ariana Grande as Glinda
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero
Ethan Slater as Boq
Marissa Bode as Nessarose
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard
Colman Domingo as the Cowardly Lion
(L to R) Jeff Goldblum is The Wizard of Oz and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
List of Movies and TV Shows Based on the ‘Wizard of Oz’:
Colman Domingo is the latest addition to ‘Wicked: For Good’.
He’s voicing the Cowardly Lion.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return to star in the second half of the story.
Though director Jon M. Chu and his team have long since finished shooting both parts of ‘Wicked’, there is still room for news about some characters, especially those who are CGI in the second movie, ‘Wicked: For Good.’ And now we know that Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing’) will be off the see the wizard as the voice of the Cowardly Lion.
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The movie’s official Instagram account partnered with the actor to make the announcement via the social media platform:
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Following up last year’s huge box office and pop cultural hit, ‘Wicked: For Good’ continues to adapt both the stage show and the original Gregory Maguire source novel.
The story jumps forward in time to show Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) fully considered an enemy to all of Oz, gaining the nickname “The Wicked Witch.” Glinda (Ariana Grande), meanwhile, is still seen as the Good Witch, but truly begins to question what’s right and wrong.
As for the Cowardly Lion, he’s the cub we met in ‘Wicked’ whom Elphaba and Fiero (Jonathan Bailey) rescue after Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) has been taken away and a new professor brings a caged lion to class.
As the story moves on, we see the cub fully grown, and blaming Elphaba for his nervous situation. With the sequel overlapping timelines with ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the lion is seen alongside Dorothy, The Tin Man and Scarecrow heading down the Yellow Brick Road to see the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). He’s also seen during the musical number “March of the Witchhunters.”
However, as in the Broadway musical, the character doesn’t have a large role.
The actor, who scored awards attention for his role in ‘Sing Sing,’ will be back on our screens in Edgar Wright’s adaptation of ‘The Running Man’, due in theaters on November 14.
He’s also in the cast for the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael,’ though that has been facing some legal issues leading to changes.
When will ‘Wicked: For Good’ be on screens?
The new movie will enchant audiences once more on November 21.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba (center) in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
List of Movies and TV Shows Based on the ‘Wizard of Oz’:
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
Preview:
A Look at This Year’s Ten Haunted Houses
Scare Zones and Live Shows
Themed Food and Merchandise
The Halloween season is upon us, and what better way to kick it off than the 34th annual Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando, taking place August 29 through November 2, 2025. This year’s event will feature ten haunted houses, four scare zones, two live shows, themed food and drinks, and merchandise.
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Moviefone had the pleasure of traveling to Orlando, Florida, to experience Halloween Horror Nights 34, exploring all the haunted houses and scare zones.
There are a total of ten haunted houses this year, with four based on popular franchises such as ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s,’ ‘WWE: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks,’, ‘Fallout,’ and ‘Terrifier’. The remaining six houses are original creations that can only be found at Universal Orlando.
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
Based on the popular video game and movie, this haunted house marks the franchise’s debut as a haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 34. It features larger-than-life animatronics and puppets created by the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Official Synopsis:
Freddy and the Gang Are Dying to Meet You. You wouldn’t last one night at Freddy’s, let alone five. You’re about to be hunted by deadly animatronics Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy as you flee through creepy, abandoned hallways.
With eight-foot-tall animatronics and ghost kids lurking around every corner, this haunted house will definitely get your adrenaline pumping and satisfy any FNAF fan out there.
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‘Fallout’
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
Based on the Prime Video series and video game of the same name, this maze will take guests through various locations from the show and encounters with characters such as Lucy, Maximus, and Cooper Howard/ the Ghoul.
Official Synopsis:
Face your fears in post-apocalyptic LA, devastated by nuclear war, based on the hit show and game franchise “Fallout.” You’ll travel into the vaults and be attacked by raiders alongside Lucy. You’ll escape to the wasteland and confront the bounty hunter, The Ghoul. You’ll even encounter Maximus with the Brotherhood of Steel and see T-60 power armor.
While not particularly scary, the production design of the haunted house was a feast for the eyes. Keep your eyes peeled for an Easter Egg tease for season 2.
‘Terrifier’
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
The cult horror film franchise comes to life this year with the ‘Terrifier’ maze, featuring Art the Clown and his many gruesome kill scenes from the movies. There is also a “blood bath” path where guests are soaked with water raining down from the ceiling.
Official Synopsis:
Nothing can prepare you for this grisly haunted house based on all three of Damien Leone’s Terrifier films. Try your luck against the sadistic Art the Clown in his twisted funhouse. Witness Art’s gleefully grotesque handiwork of torture. You’ll be left literally dripping with terror and drenched with fear. It’s a whole new level of gore!
This haunted house is the most grotesque of all ten houses. Art the Clown will pop out at every corner, and each featured kill scene gets more and more gruesome. If you’re sensitive to smells, be warned that this maze is filled with scents such as bleach and feces. There is an option for a “dry path” and a “blood bath”, with Art the Clown standing above, urging guests to take the Blood Bath.
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‘The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks”
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
This is the first collaboration between Universal Orlando and WWE. The maze is based on the lore from the ‘Firefly Fun House’ TV segments and pays tribute to Bray Wyatt’s legacy. Attendees will come face-to-face with Uncle Howdy, Rambling Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard, Huskus the Pig, and Abby the Witch.
Official Synopsis:
Enter the eerie arena of The Wyatt Sicks, where you’ll go through an ominous doorway into the maniacal minds of Uncle Howdy, Rambling Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard, Abby the Witch, and Huskus the Pig.
This is the maze to visit for any WWE fan looking to be immersed in the lore. Its unique story and characters make this haunted house a standout and an unforgettable experience.
‘Jason Universe’
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
It is always a treat to see horror classics at Halloween Horror Nights, and this year is no different with ‘Jason Universe’. This haunted house is filled with various Jasons across the ‘Friday the 13th’ film franchise.
Official Synopsis:
Come face to face with the iconic horror villain Jason Voorhees. Step into the terrifying world of this silent killer. Flee through the woods and into his sinister shack. Enter the summer camp where his gruesome legend began. Jason is back and nothing can save you now!
There’s no escape from Jason while you’re in this haunted house. Though relentless, the scares got a bit repetitive by the end.
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Original Haunted Houses
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
HHN 34 also includes five original haunted houses, including ‘Galkin: Monsters of the North’, inspired by ancient Nordic mythology and creatures, and ‘Grave of the Flesh’, where guests are invited to their own funeral.
‘Hatchet and Chain: Demon Bounty Hunters’ is reminiscent of ‘Slaughter Sinema 2’, where demons are crawling their way out of Hell to possess unsuspecting humans while melting everything in their path.
‘Dolls: Let’s Play Dead’ is not one to be missed. Guests become “doll-sized” as they enter this haunted house, and will encounter a variety of the most unnatural re-creations of dolls and toys. Everything, from set designs to scareactors, works cohesively in this twisted dollhouse.
The standout of the original houses is ‘El Artista: A Spanish Haunting’. Taking place in 19th-century Spain, an artist is tormented inside his manor as he desperately seeks inspiration. This is the most hauntingly beautiful house, including a demon flying above guests in the courtyard.
Live Entertainment and Scare Zones
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
There are two live shows available during Halloween Horror Nights – ‘Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay’, which is a sequel to last year’s live spectacular ‘Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus’. Gravity-defying aerialists and fiery pyro acts wow the audience as the best live entertainment of the event.
‘Haunt-o-Phonic: A Gholish Journey’ is a water show taking place at Universal Studios Lagoon, featuring haunting images projected onto giant water screens, lighting effects, music, and synchronized dancing water fountains.
This year’s event includes four scare zones: ‘The Origins of Horror,’ ‘Mutations: Toxic Twenties,’ ‘Masquerade: Dance with Death,’ and ‘The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane.’ Each zone offers a unique theme and its own assembly of scare-actors taunting guests as they make their way through the park.
Themed Food and Merchandise
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
There are a variety of foods created in theme of this year’s haunted houses. ‘Terrifier’ fans can enjoy the Clown Cafe Bloody Popcorn, a bucket filled with popcorn chicken, pepperoni, marinara “blood” sauce, and spiced parmesan. For something sweet, try the Abracadabra Sunflower Glasses sugar cookies, complete with chocolate blood splatters.
‘Fallout’ enthusiasts can try the Yum Yum Deviled “Eggs”, but everything is not as it seems when it comes to this creation. The eggs are actually coconut panacotta with pineapple whipped ganache and Tajin.
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
Indulge in a Mister Cupcake from ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’, a delicious chocolate cupcake topped with a generous amount of pink mascarpone frosting. Filled with cannoli cream and raspberry, and finished with chocolate eyes and teeth.
Specially themed merchandise, such as Art the Clown popcorn bucket, is available at the Tribute Store near the Mutation: Toxic Twenties scare zone.
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights runs from August 29 through November 2, 2025.
Universal Studios Orlando’s Horror Nights 2025. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
Movies and TV Shows that inspired 2025’s Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights:
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Preview:
‘Wicked’ added in more elements from the book; however, it still more closely adapted the musical.
‘Wicked: For Good’ will likely do the same, and stick with the happy Hollywood ending.
It would be riskier, but if done right, a book ending adaptation in ‘Wicked: For Good’ would be best.
SPOILER ALERT: Some potential spoilers for ‘Wicked: For Good’ below.
‘Wicked‘ is based on the book by Gregory Maguire and musical by the same name, and while it does take elements from both, it leans more heavily into adapting the musical. Book fans tend to not love the musical as much and vice versa. This is because a lot of things were changed to make it work better for the stage, including removing some of the political plot points, especially when it comes to the animal rights, and completely changing the ending to give it the classic Hollywood ending that audiences like to see.
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The book came first, and because of that, it is the true story in the mind of most readers. It goes more in depth and is unafraid to push boundaries when needed. Surely ‘Wicked: For Good‘, the upcoming film sequel starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, will deliver the musical ending, but if director Jon M. Chu was willing to take a risk with the book ending, it would be the better option. Here’s why.
Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero Tigelaar in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Even for those who have not read book or seen the musical, ‘Wicked’ made it quite clear that Elphaba and Fiyero (played by Jonathan Bailey), fall in love. By the time he arrives to Shiz, however, he is already married with children. The two end up having an affair, but he is spoken for.
During the resistance, he is murdered by the Wizard’s secret police, the Gale Force. Elphaba casts a spell to try to save him, and she believes it succeeds, turning him into the Scarecrow. After waking up from a coma (and birthing their baby, who goes to live with their family, which is detailed further in the second book, ‘Son of a Witch’), she sends the flying monkeys after the Scarecrow. When they tear him apart and realize that is not the case, Elphaba snaps, completely becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. This was the straw the broke the camel’s back so to speak, no pun intended.
She descends into evil here, feeling like the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and the government, has taken everything from her. When Dorothy shows up, she panics and throws water at Elphaba, melting her and killing her. A tragic end to a tragic tale. Throughout the book, whenever she cries, even from when she was a baby, water burns her and hurts her. This is something the movie, and musical, completely ignores. The reason why is so that they can change the ending of her story.
How The ‘Wicked’ Musical Changes The Ending
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
In the musical, Elphaba’s spell was successful and Fiyero becomes the Scarecrow. The rest of Dorothy’s friends have a connection to the witch as well. The Cowardly Lion is the lion cub that her and Fiyero saved at Shiz, something that remains the same from the book, and the Tin Man is Boq (Ethan Slater). Nessarose gives him a love potion, hoping he will fall in love with her, but it shrinks his heart and transforms him instead. In the book, he is a former woodchopper named Nick Chopper, who has his limbs replaced with tin after being cursed.
Elphaba is still distraught over the events of the Wizard and the government and what they are doing to the animals of Oz, taking away their rights and their voices, but she has also simply had enough. When she learns that a young girl named Dorothy is coming to attempt to kill her, she goes along with it, planning out a way to escape Oz once and for all.
When the bucket of water is thrown on her, she hides under a trap door, making it look like she has melted away and died. Fiyero, who is now the Scarecrow, helps her escape and the two live together, happily ever after. While she surely misses Glinda, and Glinda thinks she is dead, she still gets to live with the love of her life away from all the things she despises about Oz.
Why The Book Ending Would Best Serve ‘Wicked: For Good’
(L to R) Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
For the most part, those that read the book first prefer the book and those that watch the musical first prefer the musical. There are many reasons, however, that ‘Wicked: For Good’ should lean into the darker ending and embrace what the book has to offer.
First of all, because of these changes, it would be nearly impossible to adapt the other books in the series. ‘A Lion Among Men’ could possibly become a sequel, telling the story of the Cowardly Lion, and ‘Elphie: A Wicked Childhood’ a prequel, but ‘Son Of A Witch’ and ‘Out Of Oz’ are completely off the table, now that Elphaba lives. These books expand on the world of Oz and tell intriguing stories that would make for great movies, but they need the right set-up to truly work.
It is difficult to pull off a dark ending in a way that will not make the readers want to throw their books out the window. Most interpretations of ‘Wicked’ are that Elphaba has finally found peace now. She has gone through so much in her life, losing everyone around her and watching her government rip the rights away from the animals that she loves. In the end she snaps, and then is finally laid to rest. While this is not exactly a happy ending, it fits her story and changing it simply does not feel right.
The saying the book is always better than the movie is a saying for a reason. If ‘Wicked: For Good’ chooses to let Elphaba die, it will be dark and tragic, yes, but it is also the story that was meant to be told and opens the door for more to come.
Ariana Granda is Glinda in ‘Wicked For Good’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
List of Movies and TV Shows Based on the ‘Wizard of Oz’:
Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘The Exorcist: Believer.’
Preview
Universal has sunk more than $400 million into buying the rights to ‘The Exorcist’.
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ performed solidly but didn’t set the box office alight in the same way as ‘Halloween’.
Director David Gordon Green may not necessarily return to direct the sequels, which are likely to see some creative tinkering on their way to screens.
Is the planned ‘Exorcist’ movie trilogy kicked off by last week’s ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ bedeviled? Universal might be starting to think it is.
While David Gordon Green’s first movie in what is imagined, like his ‘Halloween’ effort, as a three-movie franchise that follows up William Friedkin’s original 1973 horror classic did decent if uninspiring business at the box office (it has so far made $46 million worldwide, which covers its thrifty $30 million budget), it needs to perform better to recoup a much bigger figure.
What has happened with the new ‘Exorcist’ movies so far?
(from left) Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) and Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
Universal has already put $400 million into acquiring the rights to the movie franchise alone, even before the money it spent directly on the first film. And that puts a heavier amount of pressure on the new trilogy to perform.
The Reporter’s story doesn’t have specifics, but it is looking like there could be some creative tinkering for ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’ and the other, yet-to-be-revealed third movie spawned from Green’s first instalment.
A completed script is already in hand for ‘Deceiver’, though there could well be changes on that front.
And the studio has found ways to generate revenue from the title beyond any new films –– including fees for streaming the movie on Peacock and an ‘Exorcist’ attraction at Universal Studio’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Will David Gordon Green return for the other movies?
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum.
While Green directed all three ‘Halloween’ movies and had previously said he’d be handling the new trilogy in the same fashion, recent statements from the director are making that look less likely.
“My intention is just to start making things, and as those plans come together, if I find myself in ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’ director’s chair, I’d be thrilled. But right now, I’m navigating it from a story perspective and looking at my realities of life as I pivot.”
He’s also been showing signs that he’s ready to make other things besides horror movies. He does have creative outlets such as TV comedy ‘The Righteous Gemstones’, but on the big screen he was ready to step away from the horror genre until Blumhouse boss Jason Blum dangled the idea of the ‘Exorcist’ movies in front of him.
However it all works out (and whoever ends up making it), we are still likely to see ‘The Exorcist: Deceiver’ in 2025.
(L to R) Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) in ‘The Exorcist: Believer,’ directed by David Gordon Green.
Get ready to enter a world of darkness in a new “House of 1000 Corpses”-themed maze at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights.
Rob Zombie’s 2003 cult classic horror film will be part of the popular attraction, which opens in September.
The terrifying “House of 1000 Corpses” mazes bring to life the movie’s offbeat roadside tourist attraction, Captain Spaulding’s Museum of Monsters and Madmen, and introduces guests to some of the country’s most infamous serial killers, including Dr. Satan, a demented surgeon who has gone mad.
Maze goers will visit the chaotic home of the Firefly family, a sadistic clan of psychotic killers. The dark tunnels underneath the house hide the degenerate victims of Dr. Satan’s debauched operations.
Watch out for your evil doppelganger in Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights!
The attraction is adding a new maze inspired by Jordan Peele’s nightmarish thriller “Us.”
The “Us” maze will have callbacks to key components of the movie, from the unnerving labyrinth of underground tunnels to the disorienting and the ominous uprising of “The Tethered”— doppelgängers of every living man, woman and child in the country.
Visitors will soon understand the tagline: “We are our own worst enemy.”
Maze-goers will follow in the footsteps of the young girl they first meet as Adelaide Wilson as she innocently ventures through a mirror funhouse at the Santa Cruz boardwalk and has a fateful and traumatic encounter with her tethered doppelgänger, an event that will forever alter both of their lives. Visitors will then be thrust into the chaos of “The Tethered” uprising as they emerge from their tunnels to murder their privileged doubles in a nationwide coordinated act of rebellion.
“It’s very exciting to know that fans of ‘Us’ will get to experience firsthand the terror of being stalked and tormented by ‘The Tethered,’” said Peele.
“It’s been a lifelong ambition of mine to create a monster that would scare people on Halloween, so having ‘The Tethered’ join such esteemed company is a dream come true.”
