HOLLYWOOD star Ariana Grande is definitely not in Kansas anymore as new photos reveal her fairytale makeover for her leading role in the Wicked movie.
A prequel to the beloved Wizard of Oz story, and 1939 film starring Judy Garland, Wicked follows the anti-hero story of the wicked witch of the west, Elphaba, and her frenemy relationship with the good witch, Glinda.
The Universal Studios production, which is half-way through its shooting schedule according to Grande, has been largely filmed at Sky Studios Elstree in Hertfordshire.
Its infamous yellow brick road was spotted last week in the quiet village of Ivinghoe in Leighton Buzzard, where construction of a munchkin land much like the one Dorothy arrives at in The Wizard of Oz seemed well underway.
New photos obtained by the BFP show the first look of Ariana Grande in her full Glinda costume, seeming to travel in a golden carriage through the colourful toadstool houses.
Grande was previously hesitant to reveal her hair transformation, but new pics show she has gone fully blonde, committing to the role originally inhabited by Billie Burke in the 1939 film.
Glimpses of the elaborate village set-up included other actors in fairy-tale costume and a graphic art sign warning characters to ‘beware of the wicked witch’.
Buckinghamshire has seen a recent influx of demand from film studios and is becoming a popular shooting destination.
Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said Bucks Council is keen to build upon the county’s existing success in attracting productions to film on location.
He added that there is a focus on maximising the economic and social benefits of the filming, including employment opportunities, help for local businesses and ‘screen tourism’.
“The Bucks Film Office works with productions to find locations around the county and offers a free-to-join database which land and property owners can use to promote their sites to productions for location filming.
"We receive enquiries from productions of all sizes looking for a variety of locations including farms and residential houses/flats in various styles, periods and conditions.”
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