Ever since Paramount and Universal doubled down on releasing Gladiator II and Wicked congruently on November 22, the studios have been trying to make a Barbenheimer-style double bill event happen, but it hasn’t really gained any traction. Partly because you can’t force a Barbenheimer situation, but also because they couldn’t pick a catchy name. “Glicked” sounds like either a Martin Short or Adam Sandler comedy special, “Wickediator” doesn’t roll off the tongue, though it is the better of the two options. So, here it is, the inevitable crossover Wickediator press events happening in Sydney, Australia over the weekend.
The Gladiator II Australian premiere was last week, but the cast hung around to do press, and stars Paul Mescal, Fred Hechinger, and Connie Nielsen were seen posing for a photoshoot on Saturday. Hat’s off to the random woman who shot her shot with Paul Mescal, but he seems more into the random baby he spotted. In fact, EVERYONE seems into that baby. Must be a super cute baby.
On the Wicked side of the line, their Australian premiere happened on Sunday. They’ve been doing press for this movie all year, but we are now officially dealing with the actual press tour, and here it is, even more theme dressing. Ariana Grande wore custom Vivienne Westwood, it is a literal interpretation of Glinda’s pink cotton candy gown from The Wizard of Oz. This is my entire problem with theme dressing, this isn’t fashion, it’s a costume. If they’d held the premiere on Halloween, I would let it slide as being just that, a costume for a red carpet event held on the holiday dedicated to donning costumes, but this event happened on a day in November, just a regular day. No excuse.
Cynthia Erivo is also on theme, but taking it less literally, in black custom Louis Vuitton, and sporting a green and black manicure. It’s fine? I’d probably come down on this look harder, except at least Cynthia didn’t wear a damn costume. This is proper fashion, even if I don’t love it.
What I DO love is Jonathan Bailey’s louche look. The yellow wrap shirt is, again, on theme without being literal. He matches the yellow brick road themed carpet exactly. But the Seventies-esque styling and relaxed line of the suit is perfect for a f-ckboy prince, referencing his character in the film without actually dressing as his character in the film. This is the way.
Speaking of f-ckboys, Ariana was joined at the premiere by her Wicked co-star and boyfriend, Ethan Slater.
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater inside the ‘WICKED’ world premiere. pic.twitter.com/PfYE8yemQe
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 3, 2024
Every time I see these two together, I have a real Bluth reaction. HIM?