The Wicked movie at the time of this post is less than a month away, and I will be reviewing it, and covering a great range of topics pertaining to the film, the music, and of course the musical itself. On a trek to Target as I find myself doing from time to time, the second I stepped into the store I was greeted by it. A massive display of merchandise and clothes for the upcoming mega musical movie, and even in the bargain section, merch pertaining to it, and I am sure there was even more placed in other areas of the store. I say this with full confidence because I checked the website and there was a dedicated page with 295 different products and a custom banner pertaining to Wicked, in my curiosity I went to Box Lunch and Walmart's websites, the former having almost 70 pieces of merch and the latter sporting over 1000. Walmart and Target have dedicated pages with banners, fun wording, and even online exclusive products or advertising other businesses that take residence in their stores. So I thought I would share my findings as I took a whole night last weekend to fall down the rabbit hole and see how much merch is tied to this upcoming mega-musical movie, and what it means.
There are some products that are no-brainers, clothes of all kinds such as shirts, sweaters, slippers, and such, and because this is being advertised as a family movie for everyone, dolls, make-up, nail polish, and beauty products. Knowing the kind of character Glinda is, beauty products of both pink and green just make sense and fit with the movie, same with dolls, toys, posters, clothes, or even trimmed-down versions of the original novel that inspired the musical. All of these are expected with a massive movie release, shirts, pajama pants, posters, and of course Funko Pops, with some of them being exclusive to each store which is a given when it comes to Funko Pops.
Some of the merch is interesting but not completely out of the realm of possibility, such as bedding, luggage, and Starbucks drinks, one for Glinda and one for Elphaba, one pink and one green. Jewelry also makes sense as it seems this film is taking the angel of marketing towards women of all ages and trying to be the next Barbie, a musical Barbie, but without the Oppenheimer to balance for free marketing, instead not one but TWO Disney musicals right after marketed at families, Mufasa and Moana 2.
Then there are some that leave me scratching my head, Starbucks having drinks makes sense, same with a blanket or even different types of clothes like a varsity jacket based on the school they attend, but then there are some I don't quite understand. Decor and posters, sure that makes sense but for some characters like the wizard I don't see moving as many posters as the leads, but then there's bedding, and pillows made to look like Elpahba's hat. But also online exclusive cake mix to secure a green or pink colored cupcake mix, otherwise it is a mystery between pink and green for cupcakes and cake pops and you only find out when you bake them. But then there is the mac and cheese, there is a pink and or green colored mac and cheese, that you only find out when you make it. WHY?! Some of these products I would classify as "flying too close to the sun" such as we don't have to slap Wicked on everything and entertain every idea.
This was a brief summary because from clothes to blankets, toys, Legos, food, and more there is too much too cover in just one post. I may dive deeper and show even more, I encourage you to go to the websites and see this craziness yourself. It is too much to cover at once but may be revisited at some point.
It seems Warner Brothers is trying to make this the family musical event of the holiday season, perhaps even over-trying to make it a good adaptation, we will have to wait and see until the movie comes out and I can review it, but it seems they know this musical movie adaptation has been a long time coming, is highly anticipated, but also they have faith in this taking off. From the Broadway show's reputation and popularity to the stars in the movie, there seems to be confidence in this film, which is nice but is only sometimes slightly misplaced. It is nice to see a musical getting this much merch outside of the Hamilton Funko pops, shirts, and posters, which most times are either online only or at the shows themselves. It is cool to see a musical get this much attention and excitement, and to be in a store like Target and Walmart, and have dedicated pages on their websites. A musical that is not an animated Disney musical getting dolls, merch, makeup, jewelry, and caboodles to carry them, much like Barbie, they are embracing the IP. An IP is not only a multimillion-dollar musical that is still running today but is based on a beloved classic property. Still, the mac and cheese is weird though
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