Photo by Tyler Varney, CC BY 2.0, Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199458646@N02/53534394898/ 
By: Megan Chui

After Wicked debuted on Broadway in 2003, it quickly became one of the 21st century’s most beloved musicals. Offering a fresh take on the classic Wizard of Oz tale, the musical captivated audiences with its dazzling costumes, energetic choreography, and powerful songs like Defying Gravity, which amplified Elphaba’s struggle as a social outcast. As the movie adaptation looms, anticipation has reached its peak, with fans eager yet cautious about how the stage spectacle will transition to film. While excitement abounds, some express skepticism over whether the film can capture the same magic and scale as the stage production, especially as the two upcoming films (the second set for release in 2025) are expected to explore the story in different ways.

On stage, Wicked is a moving spectacle that presents a fresh perspective of the classic characters of Wizard of Oz and creates an alternative storyline and a more complex view of good versus evil. Elphaba is portrayed as a misunderstood heroine, while Glinda the Good Witch is shown with a great deal more of human flaws, defeating the black-and-white contrast of the original morality tale. It invites one to ask how perceptions shaped by society influence our views about good and evil.

The film adaptation, however, is expected to focus more on the personal and emotional aspects of the characters’ journeys. Fans are eager to see how the movie will approach the social issues explored in both the novel and the musical, such as prejudice, marginalization, and the abuse of power. Elphaba’s green skin, a symbol of otherness and societal exclusion, will likely be explored in greater depth, but it remains to be seen whether the film will carry the same social commentary about political corruption that runs through the musical and novel. While the stage has steadied the political critique beyond the dimension of friendship and individuality, the film may have to take a more nuanced look.

The portrayal of the Wizard as a manipulative figure who maintains power through deception is another key element carried over from the book to the stage. In both versions, the Wizard is an authority figure whose lies and manipulation serve as a critique of those who maintain control by fooling the masses. However, the musical subtly downplays the Wizard’s role as a villain with accumulated power, instead choosing to present these elements in a more polished and balanced way suited to the stage. In contrast, the movie adaptation may find it necessary to emphasize the Wizard’s darker side more explicitly, giving his actions a sharper, more contemporary edge.

As fans continue to watch Wicked in theatres, they’re left wondering whether it will preserve the boldness of the stage version while delivering a more nuanced, grounded interpretation. While some are excited for the star-studded cast and the opportunity to see the witches’ journey unfold on screen, others fear the film may lose some of the musical’s iconic spectacle. Ultimately, the movie promises a new perspective on the beloved story, but whether it can live up to the high-flying expectations of the stage version—and stay true to its deeper themes of social justice and personal transformation—remains a topic of discussion.

Works Cited 

Bennett, Tara. “Changes the Wicked Movie Made from the Original Musical, Explained.” NBC Insider Official Site, NBC, 26 Nov. 2024, http://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/how-is-the-wicked-movie-different-from-the-musical. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.