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‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Dominate Domestic Box Office with $169.5 Million

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The domestic box office witnessed a blockbuster weekend as Wicked and Gladiator II combined to rake in $169.5 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada.

Wicked: A Magical Debut

Universal Pictures’ Wicked, the first of a two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical, captivated audiences with its tale of the misunderstood, green-skinned student who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, achieved a record-breaking debut for a movie based on a Broadway musical.

  • Domestic Earnings: $114 million
  • International Earnings: $50.2 million
  • Global Total: $164.2 million

The movie outperformed previous Broadway adaptations, including Les Misérables, making it the biggest opening weekend for the genre.

Gladiator II: A Strong Second Act

Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II, the long-anticipated sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning epic, earned $55.5 million domestically. The film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington in a narrative set 16 years after the original story.

  • Domestic Earnings: $55.5 million
  • Global Weekend Total: $106 million
  • Cumulative Global Earnings: $221 million (including its earlier release in international markets)

This sword-and-sandal epic continues to draw global audiences, fueled by a stellar cast and the legacy of its predecessor.

Box Office Highlights

The weekend showcased the power of established franchises and adaptations in attracting diverse audiences.

  • Wicked appealed to musical theater enthusiasts and new fans alike, delivering a dazzling cinematic experience.
  • Gladiator II capitalized on its historical drama roots and star power, maintaining momentum in its second week.

Both films underscore the enduring appeal of adaptations and sequels, proving their ability to dominate in a competitive box office landscape.

Cynthia Erivo Criticizes Edited ‘Wicked’ Movie Poster as “Deeply Hurtful”

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Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked film adaptation, has voiced her disappointment over fan-made edits of the movie poster, which she described as “degrading” and “erasing” her presence. The poster, featuring Ariana Grande as Glinda whispering to Erivo’s Elphaba, was reimagined by fans to look more like the original musical’s iconic logo. In the fan-altered version, Glinda cups her hand over Elphaba’s ear as the green witch smirks, with her eyes hidden beneath her pointed hat — a direct nod to the Broadway imagery.

While some fans saw this as an improvement on the official film poster, in which Erivo’s face is fully visible, the actress did not appreciate the change. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Erivo shared her frustration, calling it “the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.” She explained, “Our poster is an homage, not an imitation. To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me, and that is just deeply hurtful.”

Erivo also spoke out against other Wicked memes circulating online, including a crude joke about Elphaba’s anatomy and an AI-generated video depicting the actresses in a fight. “None of this is funny. None of this is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us,” she added in her Instagram story.

Both Erivo and her co-star Grande, along with Wicked director Jon M. Chu, reshared the official poster on their Instagram stories in response to the memes. Chu also took the opportunity to praise Erivo, calling her “(his) superhero.”

As the lead-up to the Wicked premiere continues, fan reactions have been mixed. Many have created memes, while others questioned why the film’s trailers downplay that it is both a musical and only the first part of a two-film series. The first movie, which will cover the musical’s first act, including the hit song “Defying Gravity,” is set to be released on November 22, 2024. The second part is expected to follow in November 2025.