Wicked:For Good has finally landed in cinemas, bringing film fans back into the world inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
Having enjoyed huge success on Broadway and the West End, the musical has now been introduced to a whole new audience at the cinema. The film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good, the first instalment focused on their time in school but the second more closely resembles the story we all know and love.
Some might be wondering exactly how the two-part film connects to L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel and the iconic Judy Garland movie it was based on. Here’s everything that you need to know about Wicked’s connections to The Wizard of Oz.
Is Wicked a prequel to The Wizard of Oz?
The Wizard of Oz centres on Dorothy Gale who is swept away by a tornado with her dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard. (MGM)
Wicked is indeed a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. The original centres on a young girl named Dorothy Gale, who finds herself (and her dog Toto) whisked off to the magical world of Oz when a storm hits her farm in Kansas. There, she meets many delightful characters, including Glinda, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and others.
The new film explains how the story’s villain, The Wicked Witch of the West, came to be the evildoer she’s feared as. What we learn, though, is that Elphaba actually isn’t the two-dimensional villain she’s painted as in Dorothy’s story — in fact, she’s quite the opposite.
Wicked reveals that Elphaba has spent her whole life being discriminated against and looked down on because of her green skin. Her powerful magic makes her both someone to be in awe of and fear, even if she actually would never harm anyone.
Wicked explains how The Wizard of Oz’s villain The Wicked Witch of the West came to be the evildoer she’s feared as, revealing that she is in fact misunderstood. (Universal)
Elphaba is not a villain she is misunderstood, othered simply because of the way she looks. Wicked explores this notion through its depiction of her early years at Shiz University where her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) attends. There she meets Galinda (Grande), and while at first the pair hate each other they later become good friends — best friends, in fact.
With Elphaba’s magic growing in strength their teacher Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) decides to introduce her to The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and the events of their meeting is what leads to Elphaba being painted as the Wicked Witch of the West that viewers know.
Does Wicked include the events of The Wizard of Oz?
Wicked does include the events of The Wizard of Oz in the periphery, changing the perspective on things like the death of the Wicked Witch of the East. These events will appear mainly in the second film. (MGM)
Yes, Wicked does adapt the events of The Wizard of Oz but it does so in a way that will make viewers rethink what they know and love about the original work.
Wicked Part One includes a few references to The Wizard of Oz because it begins partway through the classic story, shortly after the Wicked Witch of the West has been vanquished with a bucket of water. The musical also begins with a big song and dance number about Elphaba’s death, with Glinda the Good Witch (whose name change is explained over the course of the story), reassuring the public of her demise.
Dorothy and her friends can even be seen walking down the Yellow Brick Road on their way to meet the Wizard, as was depicted in the 1939 movie.
Wicked Part One also includes nods to The Wizard of Oz because it begins partway through the classic story, shortly after the Wicked Witch of the West has been vanquished with a bucket of water. (Universal)
The events of The Wizard of Oz predominantly shapes Wicked: For Good, which adapts the second half of the West End musical.
Without giving too much away, the film explains the origins of Dorothy’s friends the Tin Man and Scarecrow, with Part One doing the same for the Cowardly Lion. It also reveals exactly how and why Dorothy’s house came to crash-land in Oz.
Aspects of the original story, like the death of Elphaba’s sister —aka the Wicked Witch of the East— is also included in the narrative of For Good, as is Dorothy’s journey to meet The Wizard.
The difference is that the story is told from Elphaba and Glinda’s point of view, and as a result, viewers will realise that not all is as it seems.
Wicked: For Good is out in UK cinemas now.