Chu captioned the first images of Wicked by writing, “You weren’t told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road?” before reflecting on the process of filming this movie musical alongside Erivo and Grande.

“I’ve already been changed for good by these two women… Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande as the Witches of Oz. They will lift your spirits, break your heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you into our world… SO much more to come…” he wrote on Twitter.

Wicked draws inspiration from the iconic Broadway musical of the same name, loosely based on L. Frank Baum’s seminal novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This movie musical shifts focus to the witches Elphaba and Galinda whose unlikely friendship deteriorates over the years, leading to their transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North.

Wicked will be adapted into two films, and the first one is expected to premiere on November 27, 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jon M Chu (@jonmchu)

The post The First Look at Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked” Movie is Here appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Disney has been on a mission to create live-action adaptations of its classics, with the story of the wooden puppet hitting cinemas on September 8.

Plans to remake the 1940 animation were first announced in 2015, but a series of changes behind the scenes meant that filming only began in March 2021. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director, Sam Mendes, and Paddington filmmaker, Paul King, were both attached to helm the movie at one point, yet Robert Zemeckis is the man who has eventually brought the story to life.

It was also Zemeckis’s long working relationship with Tom Hanks that led to the Oscar winner playing Gepetto. The pair has previously collaborated on Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and The Polar Express. Hanks had dropped out of the project when King left, but rejoined after reaching out to his frequent collaborator.

The Pinocchio teaser trailer introduces audiences to the elderly woodcarver, Cynthia Erivo’s Blue Fairy, and the CGI Jiminy Cricket who will be voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Notably missing is Pinocchio himself, with it seeming as though we will have to wait to see the titular character.

The post The Teaser Trailer for ”Pinocchio” is Everything We Wished For! appeared first on EverydayKoala.

The upcoming film has been billed as “an epic continuation of the Luther saga”, and it will be directed by Jamie Payne (The Alienist). Not much is known about this project at the moment, but Elba has been dreaming about it for quite some time.

“We go into production, fingers crossed, in September. I’m so excited about it, it’s been a long time coming. We’re very, very close to pulling the green light on the production,” Elba told Variety earlier this year.

Luther aired on BBC between 2010 and 2019 and centered on genius, but troubled murder detective John Luther. Shortly after he ended up arrested at the end of Season 5, Elba said this would be a great setup for a movie because he’ll have to make some difficult decisions in jail. Netflix bosses seem to agree with him, and they’ll be producing the follow-up film in collaboration with BBC.

The post Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis Join Idris Elba in “Luther” Movie appeared first on EverydayKoala.

According to Erivo, the album was in the making for the past two years. The writing and recording process included contributions from a number of collaborators, including songwriter/producer Sean Douglas, ex-Ben’s Brother frontman Jamie Hartman, and composer Kaveh Rasteghar.

“In storytelling, chapter one and verse one is the way you always begin, and because I believe I’m a storyteller, that’s what I wanted to do with my music,” said Erivo in a press release. “That’s what this is about, just starting [and revealing] the human parts of me that you don’t often get to see.”

Aside from detailing the Ch. 1 Vs. 1, Erivo also presented the album’s lead single, “The Good,” and an accompanying music video directed by Mollie Mills. Check it out below.

Cynthia Erivo is better known to the general public as an actress, having starred in a number of successful theater productions and appeared in several high-profile movies, including Academy Award-nominated Harriet. 

Erivo’s singing career was previously tied to guest appearances and soundtrack contributions. She has several singles as a lead artist, most notably Harriet staple “Stand Up” and John Legend duet “God Only Knows.”

The post Cynthia Erivo Details Her Debut Album “Ch. 1 Vs. 1” appeared first on EverydayKoala.

This series is a brainchild of Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, who also signed an overall deal with Apple TV+. It’s expected to feature eight half-hour episodes, told from a female point of view.

There’s a potential for more episodes in the future—this series is based on Cecelia Ahern’s book of short stories Roar: Thirty Women, Thirty Stories, originally published in 2018.

This isn’t the first adaptation of Ahern’s work. Her debut novel PS, I Love You was adapted into a hit romantic 2007 drama, starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. Romantic comedy Love, Rosie with Lily Collins and Sam Claflin was also based on one of her novels, and she also served as one of the co-creators of the sitcom Samantha Who? led by Christina Applegate.

The post Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo Cast in Anthology Series “Roar” appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Based on an idea by Duane Adler, the Save the Last Dance scribe who originated the Step Up franchise, Gandja Monteiro (Vida, The Chi) will direct the musical drama.

Erivo will play a failed songwriter who returns home to Chicago to lead a group of at-risk youth in their annual talent show.

Erivo is a singer and songwriter and she won a Tony for best actress in a musical for the Broadway revival of The Color Purple which also won a Grammy win for best musical theater album. For Harriet, the biopic of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Erivo received Oscar nominations for best actress and best original song.

Her other credits include Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, and HBO’s Stephen King adaptation The Outsider. Her next role is as the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in NatGeo’s Genius: Aretha.

The post Cynthia Erivo to Lead “Talent Show” For Universal appeared first on EverydayKoala.

The series, based on the book of the same name by Bill Shapiro and Naomi Wax, gives viewers a look into the homes of famous people to ask them the question, “Of all that you own, what object means the most to you and why?”

The logline reads, “In our current collective world experience, objects that provide comfort, memories, and safety are more important than ever. ‘What We Keep’ features unforgettable stories of deep love, pure inspiration, and great humor — and reveals these items as reminders of who we are.”

Erivo will executive produce alongside Shapiro, Wax, Oscar winner Dan Cogan (Icarus), and two-time Emmy winner Liz Garbus (What Happened, Miss Simone?).

You can catch Erivo playing Aretha Franklin in the Nat Geo series Genius, as well as Doug Liman’s Chaos Walking and John Ridley’s Needle in a Timestack later this year.

The post Cynthia Erivo’s “What We Keep” Docuseries Set at Quibi appeared first on EverydayKoala.

National Geographic will bring back this series on May 25th, and the new season will follow Franklin’s journey to building a successful career in the music industry and leaving behind countless timeless songs that influenced music and culture around the world.

Erivo is no stranger to portraying important historical figures. She recently scored an Oscar nomination for her role in the Harriet Tubman biopic. She also won a Grammy and Tony awards for her work in musical theater, so she’ll have no trouble performing Franklin’s biggest hits.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion, and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon,” said the actress in a statement.

The post Cynthia Erivo is Aretha Franklin in New “Genius” Teaser appeared first on EverydayKoala.

John will try to repeat his Golden Globe victory and collect this prestigious award for writing “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from Rocketman. Cynthia Erivo will be competing alongside Joshuah Brian Campbell who co-wrote “Stand Up” from Harriet with her.

The list of performers also includes Randy Newman (“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4), Idina Menzel and Aurora (“Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2) and Chrissy Metz (“I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough).

Show producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain also revealed that Questlove would make a “special appearance” during the ceremony and expressed their excitement to welcome such an incredible group of nominees and performers to the Oscars.

The 92nd Academy Awards will take place on February 9th at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and the ceremony will be conducted without a host.

The post Elton John, Cynthia Erivo and More to Perform at the Oscars appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Chu captioned the first images of Wicked by writing, “You weren’t told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road?” before reflecting on the process of filming this movie musical alongside Erivo and Grande.

“I’ve already been changed for good by these two women… Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande as the Witches of Oz. They will lift your spirits, break your heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you into our world… SO much more to come…” he wrote on Twitter.

Wicked draws inspiration from the iconic Broadway musical of the same name, loosely based on L. Frank Baum’s seminal novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This movie musical shifts focus to the witches Elphaba and Galinda whose unlikely friendship deteriorates over the years, leading to their transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North.

Wicked will be adapted into two films, and the first one is expected to premiere on November 27, 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jon M Chu (@jonmchu)

The post The First Look at Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked” Movie is Here appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Disney has been on a mission to create live-action adaptations of its classics, with the story of the wooden puppet hitting cinemas on September 8.

Plans to remake the 1940 animation were first announced in 2015, but a series of changes behind the scenes meant that filming only began in March 2021. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director, Sam Mendes, and Paddington filmmaker, Paul King, were both attached to helm the movie at one point, yet Robert Zemeckis is the man who has eventually brought the story to life.

It was also Zemeckis’s long working relationship with Tom Hanks that led to the Oscar winner playing Gepetto. The pair has previously collaborated on Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and The Polar Express. Hanks had dropped out of the project when King left, but rejoined after reaching out to his frequent collaborator.

The Pinocchio teaser trailer introduces audiences to the elderly woodcarver, Cynthia Erivo’s Blue Fairy, and the CGI Jiminy Cricket who will be voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Notably missing is Pinocchio himself, with it seeming as though we will have to wait to see the titular character.

The post The Teaser Trailer for ”Pinocchio” is Everything We Wished For! appeared first on EverydayKoala.

The upcoming film has been billed as “an epic continuation of the Luther saga”, and it will be directed by Jamie Payne (The Alienist). Not much is known about this project at the moment, but Elba has been dreaming about it for quite some time.

“We go into production, fingers crossed, in September. I’m so excited about it, it’s been a long time coming. We’re very, very close to pulling the green light on the production,” Elba told Variety earlier this year.

Luther aired on BBC between 2010 and 2019 and centered on genius, but troubled murder detective John Luther. Shortly after he ended up arrested at the end of Season 5, Elba said this would be a great setup for a movie because he’ll have to make some difficult decisions in jail. Netflix bosses seem to agree with him, and they’ll be producing the follow-up film in collaboration with BBC.

The post Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis Join Idris Elba in “Luther” Movie appeared first on EverydayKoala.

According to Erivo, the album was in the making for the past two years. The writing and recording process included contributions from a number of collaborators, including songwriter/producer Sean Douglas, ex-Ben’s Brother frontman Jamie Hartman, and composer Kaveh Rasteghar.

“In storytelling, chapter one and verse one is the way you always begin, and because I believe I’m a storyteller, that’s what I wanted to do with my music,” said Erivo in a press release. “That’s what this is about, just starting [and revealing] the human parts of me that you don’t often get to see.”

Aside from detailing the Ch. 1 Vs. 1, Erivo also presented the album’s lead single, “The Good,” and an accompanying music video directed by Mollie Mills. Check it out below.

Cynthia Erivo is better known to the general public as an actress, having starred in a number of successful theater productions and appeared in several high-profile movies, including Academy Award-nominated Harriet. 

Erivo’s singing career was previously tied to guest appearances and soundtrack contributions. She has several singles as a lead artist, most notably Harriet staple “Stand Up” and John Legend duet “God Only Knows.”

The post Cynthia Erivo Details Her Debut Album “Ch. 1 Vs. 1” appeared first on EverydayKoala.

This series is a brainchild of Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, who also signed an overall deal with Apple TV+. It’s expected to feature eight half-hour episodes, told from a female point of view.

There’s a potential for more episodes in the future—this series is based on Cecelia Ahern’s book of short stories Roar: Thirty Women, Thirty Stories, originally published in 2018.

This isn’t the first adaptation of Ahern’s work. Her debut novel PS, I Love You was adapted into a hit romantic 2007 drama, starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. Romantic comedy Love, Rosie with Lily Collins and Sam Claflin was also based on one of her novels, and she also served as one of the co-creators of the sitcom Samantha Who? led by Christina Applegate.

The post Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo Cast in Anthology Series “Roar” appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Based on an idea by Duane Adler, the Save the Last Dance scribe who originated the Step Up franchise, Gandja Monteiro (Vida, The Chi) will direct the musical drama.

Erivo will play a failed songwriter who returns home to Chicago to lead a group of at-risk youth in their annual talent show.

Erivo is a singer and songwriter and she won a Tony for best actress in a musical for the Broadway revival of The Color Purple which also won a Grammy win for best musical theater album. For Harriet, the biopic of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Erivo received Oscar nominations for best actress and best original song.

Her other credits include Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, and HBO’s Stephen King adaptation The Outsider. Her next role is as the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in NatGeo’s Genius: Aretha.

The post Cynthia Erivo to Lead “Talent Show” For Universal appeared first on EverydayKoala.

The series, based on the book of the same name by Bill Shapiro and Naomi Wax, gives viewers a look into the homes of famous people to ask them the question, “Of all that you own, what object means the most to you and why?”

The logline reads, “In our current collective world experience, objects that provide comfort, memories, and safety are more important than ever. ‘What We Keep’ features unforgettable stories of deep love, pure inspiration, and great humor — and reveals these items as reminders of who we are.”

Erivo will executive produce alongside Shapiro, Wax, Oscar winner Dan Cogan (Icarus), and two-time Emmy winner Liz Garbus (What Happened, Miss Simone?).

You can catch Erivo playing Aretha Franklin in the Nat Geo series Genius, as well as Doug Liman’s Chaos Walking and John Ridley’s Needle in a Timestack later this year.

The post Cynthia Erivo’s “What We Keep” Docuseries Set at Quibi appeared first on EverydayKoala.

National Geographic will bring back this series on May 25th, and the new season will follow Franklin’s journey to building a successful career in the music industry and leaving behind countless timeless songs that influenced music and culture around the world.

Erivo is no stranger to portraying important historical figures. She recently scored an Oscar nomination for her role in the Harriet Tubman biopic. She also won a Grammy and Tony awards for her work in musical theater, so she’ll have no trouble performing Franklin’s biggest hits.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion, and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon,” said the actress in a statement.

The post Cynthia Erivo is Aretha Franklin in New “Genius” Teaser appeared first on EverydayKoala.

John will try to repeat his Golden Globe victory and collect this prestigious award for writing “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from Rocketman. Cynthia Erivo will be competing alongside Joshuah Brian Campbell who co-wrote “Stand Up” from Harriet with her.

The list of performers also includes Randy Newman (“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4), Idina Menzel and Aurora (“Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2) and Chrissy Metz (“I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough).

Show producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain also revealed that Questlove would make a “special appearance” during the ceremony and expressed their excitement to welcome such an incredible group of nominees and performers to the Oscars.

The 92nd Academy Awards will take place on February 9th at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and the ceremony will be conducted without a host.

The post Elton John, Cynthia Erivo and More to Perform at the Oscars appeared first on EverydayKoala.