Wicked and Gladiator II set for box office showdown this holiday season
npr.org —
Two major films, "Wicked" and "Gladiator II," are set to compete at the box office. "Wicked" is based on a Broadway musical and tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, while "Gladiator II" revisits ancient Rome's violence. "Wicked" features Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and explores her friendship with Galinda, portrayed by Ariana Grande. The film is part one of a two-part story, with a significant climax in the Emerald City. In "Gladiator II," Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, a warrior seeking revenge in a decaying Roman Empire. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film includes intense action sequences but has been noted for its lack of character depth compared to the original "Gladiator."