Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, recently took to Instagram to express her frustration over a fan-edited version of the movie’s poster that obscures her face. The film’s official poster, released by Universal Pictures earlier this week, pays homage to the original Broadway artwork, but with key differences that Erivo believes were important to preserve.
A Poster with Purpose
In the Broadway production’s iconic poster, Elphaba’s eyes are hidden, and she wears red lipstick, giving the image a mysterious and stylized look. However, the Wicked film poster showcases Erivo’s eyes, and her lips are adorned with green lipstick, reflecting the character’s signature look and adding a fresh cinematic touch.
Erivo explained the significance of this decision in her Instagram stories, saying, “The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION. I am a real life human being who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer… because, without words we communicate with our eyes.” She went on to express that altering her face in the fan-edited version was not only disrespectful but also hurtful, noting that “to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me.”
Fighting Against Dehumanization
The Wicked star did not mince words about the broader issue of degrading imagery, referencing both the edited poster and an AI-generated video of herself and co-stars in a fictitious fight scene. “This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen, equal to that awful AI of us fighting, equal to people posting the question, ‘is your p*** green,’” she continued. Erivo made it clear that these so-called “jokes” are not only unfunny but also dehumanizing.
In a follow-up Instagram story, Erivo shared the official Wicked movie poster once again, reminding fans of the thoughtful design choices made for the film. “Let me put this right here, to remind you and cleanse your palette,” she wrote, reaffirming her connection to the character and the authenticity of the official image.
Wicked on the Big Screen
The much-anticipated Wicked film, directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to be released in two parts. The first will debut in theaters on November 22, 2024, with the second installment arriving on December 25, 2025. The movie boasts an all-star cast, including Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater, among others, and is expected to bring the beloved musical to new cinematic heights.
For Erivo, who plays the iconic role of Elphaba, standing up for her portrayal of the character is clearly as important as the role itself. With Wicked set to hit theaters soon, fans can expect a performance as powerful and unforgettable as the message she continues to deliver off-screen.
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