Ariana Grande filmed emotional scenes as Glinda The Good Witch in her full costume while on-set production of Wicked’s highly anticipated Hollywood adaptation continued on the Buckinghamshire set.
It comes just days after dimly lit production stills were released of the singer, 29, and her co-star Cynthia Erivo, 36, who will play the role of Elphaba, voiced by star Idina Menzel in the musical.
The 7 Rings singer looked majestic in a stunning pink gown with a silver crown and dazzling scepter as she glided into view on a golden carriage filming one of the film’s opening scenes.
She was seen throwing a flame into a stove as the Citizens of Oz sang and danced in the musical number No One Mourns the Wicked, according to viewers on Wednesday.
Ariana joined the Ozians as they celebrated the death of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Magical! Ariana Grande filmed emotional scenes as Glinda The Good Witch in her full costume while on-set production of Wicked’s highly anticipated Hollywood adaptation continued on the Buckinghamshire set
Looks evil! The 7 Rings singer looked majestic in a stunning pink gown with a silver crown and dazzling scepter as she glided into view on a golden carriage filming one of the film’s opening scenes
After lighting the fire, she walked back up the steps to the great golden throne that had brought her to the Land of Oz.
Kristin Chenoweth played Glinda in the 2003 original musical – which won three Tony Awards.
Numerous actors playing townspeople, all dressed in costumes, gathered under Ariana’s platform.
The incredible village was exquisitely rendered, with cottages with colorful thatched roofs adorned with flowers.
Of course, the iconic yellow brick street meandered through town, including the area where the villagers and Ariana had gathered.
A huge poster hung on one of the cottages warning the villagers of the Evil Guard.
Aerial footage of the set showed the scale of the massive production, with the tiny town built on farmland in Ivanhoe, a village in east Buckinghamshire.
Filming was accomplished with the help of towering cranes and a huge team of crew members working behind the scenes.
Iconic role: In the original 2003 musical – which won three Tony Awards – the role of Glinda was created by Kristin Chenoweth
Enchant yourself! The singer wielded a dazzling scepter
star treatment! Stylists put the finishing touches on Grande
Magical: Ariana looked stunning on a majestic golden carriage
Making friends: The former voice coach appeared to have found a new pal in a production member
Yummy! The BRIT Award winner looked delighted as she sipped a coffee through a straw
According to eyewitnesses, the villagers celebrated the evil witch’s death when they welcomed Glinda to their town.
When Ariana made her grand entrance, the townsfolk clapped and cheered and even danced in the streets.
They all broke into the song No One Mourns the Wicked as she began to descend the stairs.
The film is based on Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel and the hit Broadway musical adaptation that premiered in 2003 and starred Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
It is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, in which the story continues Dorothy and describes the past friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda.
Also starring are Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, as well as Bowen Yang, Adam James, Keala Settle and Bronwyn James.
Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps.
Wicked Part 1 was originally slated for a Christmas Day 2024 release, but was pushed back to November 27, 2024, with the second installment due to arrive on December 25, 2025.
Welcome to the Land of Oz: The Buckinghamshire set has been transformed into a magnificent village
Lights, Camera, Action! Photos have captured the enormous production effort behind the forthcoming adaptation
Beware! A huge poster warned the townspeople about the evil witch
Townspeople: Numerous actors were gathered, all dressed in costumes
Last month, Jeff Goldblum announced he was cast in the film while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“I was just on the set of Wicked. I’m not supposed to talk about it. But it was on the way,” he said. “You should see our witches Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, very good.”
On Sunday, the film’s stars Ariana and Cynthia released first look pictures from their upcoming movie.
Ariana posted a picture of her character, the good witch Glinda, donning a pink dress while walking up a long flight of stairs.
Cynthia, 36, shared a shot of her character, the wicked witch Elphaba, pictured with her hat and broomstick.
The film’s director, Jon M. Chu, posted both shots with the caption, “You weren’t told the full story. What happens when you turn off Yellow Brick Road? FIRST LOOK at #WickedMovie…currently in production in Oz.”
Cynthia replied in the comments, “It was wonderful doing magic with you.”
Chu also took to Twitter to praise his leading actresses and their performances in the upcoming film.
“I’ve already been changed forever by these two women… #CynthiaErivo & #ArianaGrande as The Witches of Oz,” he said. “They will lift your spirits, break your heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you to our world…SO much more is to come…’
First sight! Grande, Erivo and director Jon M. Chu shared the first images from the film on Sunday