Cinema-goers hoping to catch a screening of Wicked have been warned over ‘discrimination’ in some scenes.
The hugely-anticipated movie, a cinematic adaptation of the popular musical, was released in cinemas last week, and has been all anyone has talked about – or ‘held space for’.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande led the cast as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, alongside Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum and Ethan Slater.
As film fans and musical lovers line-up to watch the first part of Jon Chu’s version, the British Board of Film Classification added a warning over the content of some scenes.
While Wicked has been given a PG rating in the UK, the BBFC informed viewers of possible discrimination over Elphaba’s character, stating: ‘A green-skinned woman is mocked, bullied and humiliated because of her skin colour.’
They also made some aware of other issues some might have, highlighting: ‘A disabled woman in a wheelchair is treated in a condescending manner by able-bodied people.
‘Talking animals are persecuted in a fantastical society.’
Wicked, the Wizard of Oz origin story, hit the big screen last week, and focuses on the unconventional friendship between outcast Elphaba and popular witch Glinda.
The official synopsis reads: ‘Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege and ambition who has yet to discover her true heart.’
It’s evident that Ariana and Cynthia became friendship goals during filming – and even more so on their joint press run, which has gifted us all with enough memes to enjoy until part two lands in cinemas next year.
Who could forget the Harriet star’s immediate tears after journalist Tracey Gilcrest announced that everyone was ‘really holding space’ with the lyrics of Defying Gravity?
However, fans were recently up in arms over speculation that there was a huge pay gap between the two lead stars, with rumors that the Tony-winner was paid just $1million, compared to the Thank U, Next singer’s $15million cheque.
A Universal spokesperson has poured ice cold water on the claims in a new statement, vowing that the pair earned an equal salary for their efforts.
‘Reports of pay disparity between Cynthia and Ariana are completely false and based on internet fodder,’ they said in a statement.
‘The women received equal pay for their work on Wicked.’
Wicked is released in cinemas now.
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