How long did it take Wicked to film the 'Defying Gravity' segment? Cynthia Erivo weighs in on how much the 2023 Writers Strikes kept the film from moving forward.
How Long Did Wicked Take To Film 'Defying Gravity'? Cynthia Erivo Explains
As Defying Gravity ends the first act of the Broadway Musical Wicked, the song becomes the theater's most empowering yet most challenging song for any Elphaba actress to belt on stage.
However, it would seem that behind the scenes of the upcoming film adaptation, the belting is not so much the issue as compared to how long it took to film the segment.
"'Defying Gravity' was like a massive journey to me," Erivo said in a recent Q&A at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, adding how the Academy Award winner wanted to make sure Elphaba 'earned' the moment.
What truly made the moment all the more complicated is that the filming of Defying Gravity took a six-month wait due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023.
Not to mention, when they officially returned on set to film the scene, she came down with a cold, and a fever, despite being 'really ready' for Elphaba's story to unfold, "I was out for a week when we came back."
'Defying Gravity' Takes On a Whole New Meaning For Wicked
Despite Erivo's delays, however, she admitted that this is exactly what strengthened her and what made the scene feel stronger than ever.
"I felt like that six months gave me time to process all of the things that had happened so that I could use [my experience] to finally really tell the story of what it is to defy gravity," Erivo proudly said.
According to Erivo, proclaiming 'Defying Gravity' is a "really special thing" for her that she wishes people could emulate. Beyond taking actual flight, being able to "defy the odds that people might set against you" is a powerful thing to show to others.
READ NEXT: Wicked: How is the Film Connected to The Wizard of Oz? Explaining the Timeline
Meanwhile, fans can expect Wicked Part 1 to premiere on the big screens on November 22, while Part 2 follows suit on November 21, 2025.
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