This year, Wicked, a movie about misunderstood witches, could be a strong contender for Best Picture at the Oscars. The movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on the popular Broadway musical. But some people think it may have trouble winning because it’s seen as too commercial and childish, especially since it has toys for sale.
Wicked has faced some challenges. Early on, it ranked 18th in surveys about Best Picture chances. However, after the movie was released, it started to gain more attention, and some experts are now more hopeful for its chances. At special screenings, the audience loved it, giving the movie applause and standing ovations.
The movie also made a lot of money at the box office. This is important because, after the pandemic, many voters seem to want big movies with exciting visuals, like Oppenheimer, which did well at the box office last year. While some people think Wicked is not as serious as Oppenheimer, the movie does have deeper themes. It was based on a book that talks about politics, power, and dictatorship, which could resonate with voters.
The story of Wicked started with a book by Gregory Maguire, written during the Gulf War. The book and musical talk about a fascist government in Oz. With current political events, the themes of Wicked feel very relevant today.
However, there are some challenges for Wicked to win. The Oscars use a system where voters rank their favorite movies. Smaller, more serious films like Moonlight have won this way. Also, Wicked is the first part of two movies, and some voters may wait for the second film before giving it any awards.
Despite these challenges, Wicked has a lot going for it. After the struggles of COVID-19 and the writers’ and actors’ strikes, voters may want to honor a big, traditional movie like Wicked that shows Hollywood’s power. So, Wicked may be in the race for Best Picture at the Oscars, and we might see an Oscar next to the Wicked dolls soon.