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International Business Times
International Business Times
Sport
Andrew MARSZAL

Gl-icked? Movie Theaters Pin Hopes On Big 'Wicked,' 'Gladiator' Weekend

Ariana Grande Ridley Scott United States Broadway David A Gross Paramount Universal Caesars Palace Rome
The finale of Universal's presentation featured thousands of plastic flowers held aloft by audience members to create a giant green-and-pink 'Wicked' themed electronic lightshow (Credit: AFP)

US movie theaters are hoping the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of last year's "Barbenheimer" phenomenon can strike again this weekend, with the simultaneous release of two of 2024's most hyped films: "Wicked" and "Gladiator II."

"Wicked" is the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, starring pop sensation Ariana Grande, while "Gladiator II" marks Ridley Scott's return to ancient Rome, 24 years after his epic original won the best picture Oscar.

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