Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo revealed during an interview with Empire that she was given the choice to create her character Elphaba using practical effects or computer-generated imagery. Ultimately, she chose practical effects because she wanted to immerse herself fully into her character. Although CGI has been used in several blockbusters, Cynthia wanted to portray Elphaba to the best of her abilities, even if that meant wearing makeup to make herself look green.
“There was the option to do CGI. I was asked if I wanted to do that or practical, and I knew I wanted to do practical before I even started,” she told Empire. “I wanted to look at my hands and see green hands. I wanted to look in the mirror and see a green face. I also wanted to see the reactions of other people seeing me as a green person, as opposed to me walking in as myself, because it informed how I performed.”
The actress also spoke about the process of going into makeup and what helped her skin stay in tip-top shape.
“It was really comfy! Depending on what we were doing for the day, it could take anything from two-and-a-half hours to four-and-a-half hours [in the makeup chair],” she continued. “It felt like a second skin. I was never irritated by it. I think a lot of research went into what shade would be right, what would sit on my skin correctly, and how I could take care of it while it was in the makeup.”
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked features an exceptional cast led by Cynthia Erivo. She stars as Elphaba, a young woman grappling with her misunderstood green skin while seeking to discover her true power. Joining her is Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist Ariana Grande, who portrays Glinda as a privileged and ambitious young woman in search of her true identity.
“Set in the magical Land of Oz, Wicked follows Elphaba and Glinda’s journey as students at Shiz University, where an unlikely but profound friendship blossoms between them. However, after meeting the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their bond faces a pivotal challenge,” the logline states.
“Glinda, consumed by her quest for popularity and power, chooses one path, while Elphaba, determined to remain true to her values, takes another. These diverging journeys shape their destinies, leading Glinda to become Glinda the Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.”
The Wicked adaptation will be released in two parts, generating excitement among fans.
