Jonathan Bailey, the 35-year-old actor recognized for his role in ‘Bridgerton’, has been making waves with his latest venture in the upcoming movie adaptation of ‘Wicked’. In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, Bailey discussed the unique challenges he faced while filming during the SAG-AFTRA strike in July. Despite many productions halting, Bailey continued filming ‘Wicked’ under an equity contract, often performing alongside stand-ins for other actors who couldn’t be on set.
Bailey’s portrayal of Fiyero in ‘Wicked’ is highly anticipated, especially given his co-stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. He shared his enthusiasm for the project, hinting at dynamic duets and vibrant performances with both Grande and Erivo. Bailey described this period as an extraordinary year, marked by diverse and challenging roles.
Besides ‘Wicked’, Bailey was concurrently working on ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Fellow Travelers’. He recalled an intense period where he transitioned from filming a scene in a San Francisco AIDS ward for ‘Fellow Travelers’ to attending a Regency Ball for ‘Bridgerton’. This demonstrated his versatility and commitment as an actor.
‘Fellow Travelers’, a political thriller featuring a hidden romance between Bailey and Matt Bomer’s characters, premiered last month on Showtime. As for ‘Bridgerton’ season 3, Bailey hinted that its release could be announced any moment, assuring fans of at least a four-week notice before its Netflix premiere.
Anticipating the Two-Part Cinematic Release of ‘Wicked’
The film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ is a much-awaited project in the world of musical theatre. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie will be released in two parts, capitalizing on the recent resurgence of musicals in cinema. ‘Wicked: Part One’ is set to release on November 27, 2024, followed by ‘Wicked: Part Two’ on November 26, 2025.
The cast of ‘Wicked’ is a blend of renowned and talented actors. Alongside Bailey, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum will be bringing the magical world of Oz to life. The film promises to be a musical spectacle, featuring all 20 songs from the original musical with potential new additions and extensions.
A teaser for ‘Wicked: Part One’, shown at the 2023 Las Vegas Cinema Con, offered fans a sneak peek into the adaptation. It included snippets of “Popular” and “Defying Gravity”, and glimpses of Elphaba and Glinda’s journey at Shiz University. This adaptation aims to delve deeper into the lives and minds of its leading ladies, introducing new characters and narrative elements.
The ‘Wicked’ movie adaptation, with its promising cast and innovative approach to the beloved musical, is poised to be a significant event in cinema, promising to enchant audiences with its portrayal of the iconic story of Elphaba and Glinda.
