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Wicked tells the story of two witches, Elphaba and Galinda. The film's story is loosely adapted from the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. To be released as a two-part movie, the first part of the adaptation was released in theatres on November 22, 2024.
This movie serves as a prequel to the events that led to the original 1939 The Wizard of Oz movie, which later birthed a Broadway musical. It tells the origin story of Elphaba, popularly known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The plot also reveals that everything is not what it seems in the world of Oz.
Before Elphaba and Glinda's stories were adapted to the big screen, their tale made headlines on Broadway. The Wicked musical was produced for the first time on June 10, 2003, with resounding success. This is the first film adaptation of the Broadway musical and is doing equally well in theatres. According to a BBC report, it is expected to make $114 million at the box office in America and $17.6 million in the UK and Ireland.
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Wicked delves into the witch's origin story
The movie explores the complex friendship between Elphaba, popularly known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (later called Glinda), known as the Good Witch of the North. It focuses on their unique friendship and how their contrasting personalities see the world through different eyes.
The film takes viewers through their time at Shiz University, years before Kansas resident Dorothy Gale landed in Oz. The movie highlights how Elphaba didn't start as a villain (as considered by the Oz residents). She learns of her powers and, in time, becomes a powerful sorcerer.
Frank Baum wrote the original book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900. The original movie based on this book was titled The Wizard of Oz, released in 1939. The film follows the story of how Dorothy lands in Oz after a hurricane hits Kansas and attempts to find her way back home.
She encounters the Wicked Witch of the West, the Great Wizard, and the Good Witch of the North. Dorothy then sets down the yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz with her friends - the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion, hoping to get something they want.
The film tells the origin story of Elphaba. It showcases her burgeoning friendship with Galinda and the discovery of her powers. She also meets with the Wizard and learns of his deceptive nature when she discovers that the Wizard has no powers. Viewers see how the character came to be, including her role in being cast as the villain.
Similar imagery to The Wizard of Oz
The movie draws several connections to the classic film The Wizard of Oz. First, it starts with the imagery of the Witch's black hat floating in water. Secondly, viewers also see the construction of the yellow brick road on which Dorothy would walk years later. The colors used in both films are similar. For example, while Elphaba has green skin, Galinda is draped in pink throughout the film.
Moreover, Elphaba's sister, Nessarose, who is wheelchair-bound, also makes an appearance. All these instances and imagery serve as easter eggs to the original adaptation.
Interestingly, as per Wicked, Galinda was not always considered a good witch. The plot also examines her character's journey from a little self-absorbed and self-assured person to finally being known as the Good Witch by the residents of Oz.
Other shout-outs to The Wizard of Oz include Elphaba rescuing a lion's cub. This cub may very well grow up to be the Cowardly Lion. The movie also shows poppy flowers, which are the same flowers used by the Wicked Witch to stop Dorothy from making her way to the Emerald City.
Wicked part one of the film was directed by Jon M Chu. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, Ariana Grande plays Glinda, and Jeff Goldblum essays the role of the Wizard of Oz. Jonathan Bailey plays the role of Fiyero, and Michelle Yeoh stars as Shiz University's headmistress, Madame Morrible.
Part two of the feature film is slated to release on November 21, 2025.
