What a moment it is as Universal's Wicked finally makes its grand entrance into theaters. After years of anticipation and countless rumors, the first official screenings have unfolded, captivating audiences around the US.

A Magical Convergence of Talent and Entertainment

From Stage to Screen: The Long-Awaited Arrival

For decades, the story of Wicked has been a subject of speculation and excitement. Back in 2003, Stephen Schwartz's opus premiered on stage, and the 1995 novel it was based on was initially set to become a movie. However, it took until 2012 for Universal to come on board with a release date of 2019. The pandemic further delayed the project, but finally, in 2021, Jon M Chu was announced as the director, and the film became one of the most buzzed-about projects in Hollywood.The casting process was a whirlwind of rumors and excitement. Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes, and Jennifer Lopez were all rumored to be vying for roles. In the end, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were chosen to bring Glinda and Elphaba to life. Grande put her music career on hold for the role, while Erivo was perhaps the most surprised to be considered at all. "Historically, Black women have never really been seen for the role," she said. "If they have, they haven't gotten the role, and if they do, they usually are the alternate or first cover."

The Perfect Moviegoing Weather and Superfans

On Thursday night, the first official screenings took place around the US, including at New York City's AMC Empire 25. Despite the hard, cold rain outside, there was a palpable energy inside as superfans lined up for one of the theater's 32 screenings. Box office tracking estimates that the movie will "win over the world" with a massive global opening set to hit about 0m. In US previews last night, the film made over m, not far off Barbie's m in 2023.Gabby and Rachel, friends from Brooklyn, wore pink and green to show their excitement. "We're here for the Twitterness of it all," they said. Travis from nearby Queens showed up dressed in a witch's hat and black mesh top and shorts. "I've been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since I saw the musical in previews in eighth grade," he said. "I couldn't be more thrilled."

The Press Blitz and Brand Collaborations

The combination of Grande and Erivo has energized the film's press blitz. There was a much-talked-about Super Bowl spot, collaborations with brands such as H&M and REM Beauty, and even Wicked-branded Rice Krispie treats and Walmart's Wicked macaroni and cheese. At the AMC theater, there were branded Wicked popcorn buckets and an Enchanted Green Apple Icee inspired by the film.However, there were also some awkward moments. Erivo admonished a seemingly innocent fan-altered poster, and there was tabloid fodder concerning Grande and co-star Ethan Slater's on-set romance. But inside the theater, after previews, the lights went down for a custom welcome package from the Wicked cast, and the audience cheered.

The Film Itself: A Musical Spectacle

After 21 years of anticipation, the film began with a title card: Wicked: Part One. There will be another film flying down to theaters in exactly one year. For the superfans, they were well aware that there would be no final resolution by the end of the 160-minute runtime. At the screening, audience members dutifully followed the no-singing rule but clapped and hooted vociferously after every musical number and during surprise cameos.Travis, still in his black witch hat, gave the film a ten out of ten. John, another fan from New York, agreed. "I think they nailed it from top to bottom. I think it's better in some ways than the musical."And if that wasn't enough, venturing to the subway underneath the theater, you'll find that Universal Pictures teamed up with the MTA, with the entrance plastered entirely with pictures of the cast. Only 364 days until Part Two.