Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo on how they prepared for ‘Wicked’: ‘Training like I was a boxer'

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo did not take being casted for the leading roles in "Wicked" for granted.

In a joint March 21 interview with Vanity Fair, Erivo said she started training like "a boxer" once she learned she got casted as Elphaba in the movie. As for Grande, she shared that she had wanted the role as Glinda for years, playfully sharing to “stalking” the film’s producer.

“It was literally 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments? Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today,’” she told Vanity Fair.

Read on to learn more about the upcoming “Wicked” adaptation, including casting details and release dates.

Who is starring in the upcoming 'Wicked' movie?

Erivo, who won a Tony and Grammy for her role in the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” stars as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin.

Erivo reflected on what the role of Elphaba meant to her in an Instagram post in January.

“The universe will take things away to make space for the grand gifts it has waiting for us. THIS moment, this film, these people, this cast, this crew, this director, my Glinda, were the Grandest gift I could ever have asked for, and I am eternally grateful for the chance to bring you This Elphie,” she wrote in the caption. “I hope when you meet her, you’ll love her as much and as fiercely as I do.”

Grande co-stars as Galinda, later Glinda the Good, who forges an unlikely friendship with Elphaba when they are both students at Shiz University in the Land of Oz.

The role of Galinda/Glinda was originated by Kristin Chenoweth in the 2003 Broadway production.

Grande reflected on her experience on the “Wicked” set in a heartfelt Instagram post last year.

“savoring every millisecond left with my Galinda (although she’ll be with me irrevocably, forever). she shows me so many new things every day,” she captioned a lengthy Instagram post, which included a blurry photo of her standing beneath a rainbow.

The “No Tears Left to Cry” singer also shared her gratitude for the opportunity “to hold my brilliant twin flame / sister Cynthia’s beautiful, green hands every day… to work in the safest, most beautiful and loving, biggest-yet-most-intimate/tiny-feeling spaces…”

Yeoh also stars in the upcoming film as Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Shiz University, and “Bridgerton” actor Jonathan Bailey stars as the Prince Fiyero.

Goldblum will tackle the role of the Wizard of Oz. While he comes across as a menacing character in the teaser trailer, Goldblum revealed that in real life, he was the one who felt intimidated on the set of “Wicked.”

“I shouldn’t talk about it, but I was shooting one day, and I found myself tearing up in fear, a childhood fear came back to me,” he said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last March, explaining that growing up, he had had a nightmare involving a “very scary queen/witch.”

The upcoming adaptation will also feature newcomer Marissa Bode as Elphaba’s younger sister, Nessarose, and Tony nominee Ethan Slater as Nessarose’s love interest, Boq.

“Saturday Night Live” star Bowen Yang and “Harlots” star Bronwyn James will also appear as Galinda's friends, Pfannee and ShenShen.

The “Wicked” movie will also feature a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by “The Greatest Showman” actor Keala Settle.

When does 'Wicked' come out?

The upcoming cinematic treatment of “Wicked” is a two-film adaptation.

Part one of "Wicked" is set to come out on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

The second part is slated for release on Nov. 26, 2025, according to Deadline.

Is there a trailer for 'Wicked' yet?

A first look trailer for “Wicked” premiered during the Super Bowl on Feb. 11, giving fans their first real look at Grande and Erivo in the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.

The stars have been teasing their “Wicked” performances on social media for a while now, but this is the first chance to see Grande and Erivo in action as Glinda and Elphaba.

The teaser trailer begins with Erivo’s haunting solo rendition of the first few lines of one of the musical’s best-known songs, “Defying Gravity,” which begins with the lyrics, “Something has changed within me … Something is not the same.”

“Defying Gravity” was first performed by Idina Menzel when the Broadway musical first opened in 2003, which in turn was a loose adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.”

The teaser trailer did not appear to feature any vocals from Grande, but it included plenty of footage of the “Thank U, Next” singer as Glinda, complete with her signature pink gown and magical floating bubble.

There were also glimpses of Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as the sinister Wizard of Oz.

“The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy,” the wizard says ominously near the beginning of the trailer.

Grande and Erivo also shared the teaser trailer in a joint Instagram post, and many fans were beside themselves in the comments.

“This looks incredibleee!!! cant wait to make it my whole personality,” one person commented.

“YESSSSS CYNTHIA! Go, baby, GO!” another person wrote.

“CAN NOT ELPHING WAIT!!!!” another fan commented.

Others shared their excitement at seeing Elphaba’s character with braids.

“CANNNNOT. as soon as i saw her braids!!!!!!!! SKIN IS SHAKINF,” one person commented.

How did Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo prepare for their roles?

In a March 21 interview with Vanity Fair, Grande and Erivo talked about their roles in the movie, and Grande said she wanted to play Glinda for years.

Grande playfully admitted to "stalking" the film's producer about the role, saying that it was "literally 10 years" of her asking about developments on the film or any upcoming auditions.

As for Erivo, she told Vanity Fair she “honestly didn’t believe” she’d “be seen” for the role of Elphaba. When she finally got the call to be in the film, Erivo said, “I was training like I was a boxer.”

What has Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo said about working with each other?

Grande and Erivo sang each other's praises during their joint interview with Vanity Fair.

“I just need to say that I don’t think people realize that she’s got the chops,” Erivo said of Grande's singing skills. “I don’t think people realize how brilliant this person’s brain and voice and talent is.”

Grande returned the compliment.

“She’s my favorite female voice. When I was watching you sing at the Oscars, I said, ‘I hope someday I get to sing with her,'” the "Eternal Sunshine" singer said.

Grande and Erivo also talked about their time on set and said they were both impressed with each other's performances.

In one scene, Erivo sings "Defying Gravity," one of the movie's hit songs, while being hoisted into the air.

“She had a harness pulling and pushing and yanking and tugging on every nook and cranny that there is,” Grande explained.

However, Erivo said that Grande's numbers were also no easy task.

“I’m literally never going to forget you jumping on a chandelier over my head whilst singing,” Erivo said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com