Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the musical and film Wicked!
Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible in Evil film adaptation, continuing an exciting trend for the actress that I hope continues in her future projects. The actress began her career on screen in the 1980s, in Hong Kong cinema. Since his debut with American audiences in the James Bond film Tomorrow never diesMichelle Yeoh has become an A-list actress with a huge fan base and an Oscar. The actor has appeared in some of the biggest film and TV franchises, including multiple roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Scian in The Witcher: Blood Originsand Emperor Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Discovery.
As a fan of Yeoh and EvilI was very happy when the actor was cast as Madame Morrible in the two-part film Evil film adaptation. Although Yeoh is not a vocalist, she worked with a coach before filming to perfect her singing in “The Wizard and I,” and I look forward to hearing the end result of all her hard work. However, Michelle Yeoh’s singing is far from being part of her Evil role I’m most excited about. The decision to cast the actor in the role of Madame Morrible continues one of Michelle Yeoh’s most exciting acting trends.
Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is a secret villain in Wicked
Madame Morrible’s villainy is hidden behind her demure exterior
Although she looks and talks like a pleasant and caring person, Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is not what she seems at first glance based on the source material. For most of the first half of the musical, the character doesn’t show many warning signs about his true intentions and disturbing beliefs. Although I believe she wrote the phrase “Animals should be seen and not heard” on the back of Dr. Dillamond’s blackboard, it is always implied. She says she is sad about what happened to the teacher, but the tone and expression seem fake.
However, their true beliefs and intentions are unfiltered, starting in the chamber scene right before “Defying Gravity.” Elphaba discovers that Madame Morrible has been manipulating her all along so that she and the Wizard can use her magic to oppress the animals. The intermission after the iconic song – which is when the two-part Wicked film will be split – serves as a turning point where Madame Morrible transforms into an antagonist. As press secretary, she spreads rumors about Elphaba to hide the Wizard and his horrible actions.
Michelle Yeoh’s villainous era proves how versatile she is as an actress, and I can only hope she continues taking on these roles.
To manipulate Elphaba, she kills Nessarose by using her magic to create a storm, collapsing a house on top of her. Later, during “March of the Witch Hunters”, she speaks dialogue that strikes a chord with the angry mob she is planning to kill. Ultimately, I think she’s much more sinister and malicious than The Sorcerer, which makes her the true villain of the musical, even if the story disagrees. Although Michelle Yeoh has expressed that her version of the character takes creative liberties (via VeryFab), the story will undoubtedly include all the main points of the musical, as they are an integral part of the Evil character.
Yeoh’s Wicked Casting Continues Actor’s Villain Era
The actor has taken on villainous roles in recent films
The actor’s role as Madame Morrible in Evil is just the latest fantastical trend of Michelle Yeoh playing a movie villain. Although Yeoh has played villains in the past, her current villainous era began in late 2023 or early 2024, depending on the perception of her character in A haunting in Venice. If Joyce Reynolds is a charlatan who deceives others, she is both a villain and a victim. This is open to interpretation, however.
I like to think that her villainous era really began in January 2024 with the film The Tiger’s Apprentice. In this Paramount+ film, Yeoh plays Loo, an evil sorceress trying to obtain a phoenix egg. As The Tiger’s Apprentice reviews point out, the film didn’t do well overall, but I loved Yeoh’s performance in the role. Her Evil paper is second in the trend. Hopefully, the actor will offer at least one more role in the villain era – Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Section 31.
Why it’s exciting for Michelle Yeoh to play villains
Michelle Yeoh adds refreshing complexity to her villainous roles
I love Michelle Yeoh in most of the roles she has played because she is an amazing actress; however, I’m more thrilled to see her play villains. The actor’s best-known roles, such as Evelyn Wang in Everything everywhere at the same timeThey are heroes or protagonists. Even antagonists, like Eleanor Young in Crazy rich Asiansthey are not true villains, but well-intentioned characters who achieve their goals in the wrong way. The dichotomy between their general roles and villainous roles makes them much more interesting to watch.
Furthermore, Yeoh is possibly one of the best actors to choose for the villain role because she injects nuances and complexity into her characters that make them seem three-dimensional rather than a caricature. The facial expressions, body movements, and tones make his villains so adorable. Ultimately, Michelle Yeoh’s villainous era proves how versatile she is as an actress, and I can only hope she continues taking on these roles.