Cynthia Erivo calls the “nasty” changes to the movie poster offensive

Cynthia Erivo is speaking out against “Wicked” fans who photoshopped one of the recent posters for the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Warner Bros. released a “Wicked” movie poster this month that was reminiscent of the original Broadway poster that showed Ariana Grande whispering in Glinda Erivo's Elphaba ear. Only the movie poster had a few changes, mainly Elphaba's hat was raised so you could see Erivo's eyes.

“Wicked” fans loyal to the Broadway musical flocked to social media to make Photoshop corrections after the poster was released. Elphaba's hat was lowered and her lips were given bold red lipstick to make the film side exactly match the Broadway side. Erivo found such changes hurtful.

“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I've ever seen, equivalent to this horrible AI of ours that we're fighting, equivalent to people asking the question, 'Is your p–green?'” Erivo wrote in her Instagram story while sharing one of the photoshopped “Wicked” posters with her face covered. “None of this is funny. None of it is sweet. It humiliates me. It demeans us.”

“The original poster is an illustration,” Erivo added. “I am a real human being who has chosen to look directly through the camera at you, the viewer… because without words, we communicate with our eyes. Our poster is a homage and not an imitation. To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that’s just deeply hurtful.”

In addition to the poster, Erivo drew attention to the viral AI-created video in which the poster transforms into a fight between the two stars/characters. The actor also criticized the infamous “Is your p–green?” memes that have long been circulating around the musical.

Universal and director Jon M. Chu have adapted the Broadway musical “Wicked” into a two-part film, with the first film hitting theaters next month. The musical is set at Shiz University in Oz, where Elphaba and Glinda become roommates and unlikely friends. In addition to Erivo and Grande, the film's supporting cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum and Bowen Yang.

“Wicked” hits theaters November 22nd from Universal Pictures. A second film will be released in 2025.