Washington: 'Wicked' star Jonathan Bailey is opening up about his deep emotional connection to the upcoming film, sharing his excitement to watch it in the company of some of his closest family members.
At the Los Angeles premiere on November 9, the actor reflected on the significant role the beloved musical has played in his life and how the opportunity to be a part of the film has come full circle.
The 36-year-old actor, who stars alongside Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and Ethan Slater, spoke with E! News. He expressed a sense of nostalgia as he recalled his early memories of the musical, which first captured his heart as a child.
"It was just so present in my childhood and my family," Bailey said, referring to his lifelong connection to 'Wicked', adding, "I remember watching with my grandparents. And so, I'm really excited to get to London and get home and to watch it with my 93-year-old grandma."
Bailey's excitement about sharing the film with his loved ones doesn't stop there. He also revealed that he has already had the chance to experience the film with younger generations of his family. "I've already seen it with the next generation," he noted, referencing a viewing with his niece in Sydney, as per E! News.
Bailey's involvement in 'Wicked' is a dream come true for the actor, who shared the profound impact the show had on him from a young age.
During an earlier interview with costar Ariana Grande, Bailey revealed that his connection to the musical began when he was just 15 years old, listening to the soundtrack and being moved by its powerful orchestration.
"I remember viscerally; it sent ripples through culture. Also, I remember hearing the orchestration. I hadn't really heard the synth-meets-full-orchestra-meets-syncopation," Bailey recalled, adding, "Something about it just completely grabbed me," according to E! News. Bailey fondly recalled seeing the musical with his best friend from school, sharing a moment of camaraderie over their love for the show.
"Me and him went to go and see it together--we were soulmates through school," he said, reflecting on how the themes of 'Wicked' spoke to him even in those early years.
Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the film, explained that the themes of the musical have evolved over time, and he is particularly excited to see how those themes are brought to life in the movie.
"I think the themes of 'Wicked' have probably expanded, and that's what I'm really excited about with the film," he said.
Bailey also expressed his amazement at the process of making 'Wicked', citing the care and dedication put into the film by director Jon Chu and producer Marc Platt.
The actor described the experience of working on the movie as exceeding his wildest expectations, particularly when it came to the grandeur of the sets and the attention to detail.
"There were certain elements of it that I was incredibly impressed by," he said, adding, "I think that is because of the love and care of Marc Platt and Jon Chu. Obviously we've grown up loving theatre and musical theatre, I always felt attached to that wonderment," reported E! News.
Bailey continued, "I think my expectation might have been that somehow in the making of something, you lose that. But we were on those incredible sets," highlighting the magical and immersive quality of the production.
After years of anticipation, 'Wicked' fans can finally experience the film adaptation when it opens in theatres on November 22. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Bailey, Grande, Erivo, and more, as well as its stunning visuals and faithful homage to the iconic Broadway musical.