The first live-action film adaptation of the beloved musical wicked has announced its Japanese dubbing cast, featuring Mitsuki Takahata as Elphaba and Miisa Shimizu as Glinda. The announcement comes with the release of videos showcasing their singing voices, adding too the anticipation for this highly awaited film.
Takahata, a seasoned musical actor with a career spanning stage productions like Peter Pan, Waitress, and Miss Saigon, expressed her excitement about dubbing the role of Elphaba, originally played by Cynthia Erivo.“I have been a musical geek as I was a child, and having seen Wicked not only in Japan but also in New York, it was one of my dreams to play the role of Elphaba. When I heard about the movie’s release, I was resolute to participate. I wanted to do it!, so I went for the audition,” she shared. Takahata also spoke about the challenges of matching Erivo’s powerful performance, saying, “it was more difficult than I expected to breathe in and fake things in time with the mouth. But no matter how many times I watched it, the footage was very exciting, so I had a lot of fun dubbing it.”
Miisa Shimizu,who voices Glinda (originally played by Ariana grande),is making her dubbing debut with this project. Shimizu, a singer and musical actor, won the Special Jury Award at the Next Generation Ariana Grande Discovery Audition during her high school years and later studied at the New York Academy Musical Theatre. Her TikTok covers of Western music have garnered widespread acclaim, and she has appeared in musicals like Beetlejuice and Les Misérables. Shimizu expressed her joy, saying, “As a fan of Ariana Grande, I was filled with joy to be able to lend her voice to a work that was a dream come true for her.”
The Japanese dubbed version of Wicked is a collaborative effort, with Masafumi mima handling line direction, Yoshiki Tsutaya as music producer, and Natsuki Takagi and Kana Yoshida as singing instructors.
Both Takahata and Shimizu emphasized the universal appeal of the film. Takahata described it as “an entertainment piece that you can fully enjoy, and that will make you laugh and cry. It’s a very heart-warming movie. I hope you all can experiance it at the theater.” Shimizu highlighted the story’s emotional depth, saying, “This work depicts the friendship between two contrasting people, Elphaba and Glinda, but it is a story that will resonate with people of all generations. I hope many people will enjoy it!”
To give fans a taste of the dubbed version, videos of Takahata singing The Wizard and I and Shimizu performing Popular have been released.
| Key Details | Details |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Film | Wicked (Live-Action Adaptation) |
| Japanese Dubbing Cast | mitsuki Takahata (Elphaba), Miisa Shimizu (Glinda) |
| Original Performers | Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda) |
| Production Team | Masafumi Mima, Yoshiki Tsutaya, Natsuki Takagi, Kana Yoshida |
| Highlighted songs | The Wizard and I (Takahata), Popular (Shimizu) |
The Japanese dubbed version of Wicked promises to bring the magic of this timeless musical to a new audience, blending the talents of its cast with the film’s captivating storytelling. Don’t miss the chance to experience this heartwarming tale of friendship and self-discovery in theaters.
A Dream Come True: The journey of Bringing Elphaba to Life in “Wicked”
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For fans of musical theater, the name Wicked evokes a sense of magic, emotion, and unforgettable performances.The story of Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned witch, has captivated audiences worldwide since its Broadway debut in 2003. Now,with the highly anticipated movie adaptation on the horizon,one passionate performer shares her journey of auditioning for the role of a lifetime.”I’ve been a musical geek as I was a child,and I’ve seen Wicked not only in japan but also in new York,so playing the role of elphaba was one of my dreams,” she revealed. When news broke about the movie’s release, she knew she had to seize the opportunity. ”I heard about the movie being released this time and I definitely want to participate! So I decided to try the audition.”
Her admiration for Cynthia Erivo, who is set to portray Elphaba in the film, added another layer of inspiration. “I wanted to get as close as possible to Cynthia’s delicate and powerful acting and singing expressions, which I am a fan of, so I took on the challenge.” However, the process was far from easy.Dubbing the songs proved to be a formidable task. “Not only was it extremely difficult, but I also had to adapt them to suit her taste. I thought it was more difficult than I expected to do the breathing and fake stuff,” she admitted.
Despite the challenges, the experience was exhilarating. “No matter how many times I watched the footage, it was still very exciting, so I had a lot of fun dubbing it.” Her passion for the project shines through, and she hopes it resonates with audiences. “Whether you’re a musical fan like me or you’re experiencing Wicked for the first time,it’s an entertaining work that you can thoroughly enjoy,and it’s a work that will make you laugh,cry,and be heart-wrenching.”
She encourages everyone to immerse themselves in the magic of Wicked on the big screen. “I would like everyone to have that experience at the movie theater and be immersed in the sound!”
Key Highlights of the Wicked Movie Journey
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Dream Role | Auditioning for Elphaba, a lifelong dream for the performer. |
| Inspiration | Cynthia Erivo’s powerful portrayal of Elphaba. |
| Challenges | Dubbing songs and adapting to Cynthia’s style proved difficult.|
| Experience | Exciting and fun, despite the challenges. |
| Audience Appeal | A heartwarming and emotional journey for both fans and newcomers. |
The wicked movie promises to be a cinematic masterpiece, blending the magic of the stage with the grandeur of film. For fans of the musical, it’s a chance to relive the story in a new light. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to fall in love with a tale of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Wicked in theaters. Immerse yourself in the sound,the story,and the magic that has captivated millions.Image credits: © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Ariana Grande’s Dream role: A New Chapter in “Wicked: The Two Witches”
Ariana Grande, the multi-talented pop sensation, has taken on a new challenge that has left fans buzzing with excitement. in the upcoming film Wicked: The Two Witches,grande steps into the role of Glinda,a character she describes as “so lovable that I couldn’t hate her.” The film,set to release nationwide on March 7,2025,promises to be a visual and emotional treat for audiences of all ages.
For grande, this project is a dream come true. “As a fan of Ariana Grande, I was filled with joy to be able to lend her voice to a work that was a dream come true for her,” she shared. known for her versatility, Grande showcases her vocal range in ways that diverge from her usual R&B and pop repertoire. “She sings opera in a way that is completely different from the R&B and pop songs she usually sings, and she does comical acting, which is fantastic, and I love her voice,” she added.This marks Grande’s first foray into dubbing, a process she found both challenging and rewarding. “It was my first time dubbing, so I was acutely aware of the difficulty, but it was a great experience as I enjoyed acting with just my voice and discovered new things about my own voice,” she revealed.
The film, produced by Universal studios, explores the friendship between two contrasting characters, Elphaba and Glinda. “The story depicts the friendship between two contrasting characters, Elphaba and Glinda, but it is a story that resonates with people of all generations,” Grande explained. Her portrayal of Glinda is both heartfelt and endearing. “The Glinda I played was so lovable that I couldn’t hate her, and she just said what she thought! It’s a really cute character,” she said.
Grande’s dedication to the role is evident. “I put my heart into this role,so I hope many people will enjoy it!” she expressed. With its universal themes and captivating performances, Wicked: The Two Witches is poised to become a cinematic masterpiece.
Key Highlights of Wicked: The Two witches
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Release Date | March 7, 2025 |
| Studio | Universal Studios |
| Main Characters | Elphaba and Glinda |
| Ariana Grande’s Role | Glinda |
| Genre | Fantasy, Musical |
| Themes | Friendship, Contrasting Personalities, Universal Resonance |
As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await the chance to see Grande shine in this new role. With its enchanting story and stellar performances, Wicked: the Two Witches is set to captivate audiences worldwide.
For more updates on Wicked: The Two witches, stay tuned to The River.
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What are your thoughts on Ariana Grande’s new role? Share your excitement in the comments below!
Based on the provided text, hereS a summary focusing on the Japanese dubbing cast and the highlighted songs:
Japanese Dubbing cast:
- elphaba: Mitsuki Takahata
- Glinda: Miisa Shimizu
Original Performers:
- Elphaba: Cynthia Erivo
- Glinda: Ariana Grande
Production Team:
- Masafumi Mima
- Yoshiki Tsutaya
- Natsuki Takagi
- Kana yoshida
Highlighted Songs (Japanese Dub):
- “The Wizard and I” – Mitsuki Takahata (Elphaba)
- “Popular” - Miisa Shimizu (Glinda)
