Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Wicked: Part 1!
2024 by Universal Evil The film may be based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical, but the big-screen adaptation makes significant changes that enhance the existing story and characters. Twelve years after the film was first announced, the adaptation of Wicked was finally released in theaters on November 22, 2024, receiving overwhelming praise from fans of the musical.
The film is extremely faithful to the theatrical production, telling the same story of power, justice and friendship. The writers even used some of Wicked's most iconic quotes in the script. However, not all elements of the film's story and characterization come from the source material. Why Evil is split into two parts, the creative team had extra time to develop parts of the story in a new way, strengthening some of the best parts of the musical.
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The Wicked Movie shows a flashback to Elphaba's childhood
Viewers get a glimpse into Elphaba's life growing up
Node Evil musical, the only references to Elphaba's past are a brief scene when she is born and dialogue when she is at Shiz University. The dialogue includes enough exposition to realize that her mother died when she was young, her father didn't love her, and she took care of Nessarose. Wicked: Part 1 includes these same elements, but provides a deeper understanding of Elphaba's childhood by adding a flashback to her life when she was around 10 years old.
The kids start to bully her because of her green skin as she watches Nessa, and she has a magical outburst, making Nessa cry. Her father begins to scold her while her nanny comforts her. This scene shows the complex dynamics within Elphaba's family tree in Evil. It also provides an explanation for why the witch is immediately so reactive when she arrives at Shiz University and people are repulsed. She has heard ridicule since she was a child.
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Dorothy appears in the film Wicked
Dorothy Gale makes a cameo in the 2024 film Wicked
In the musical Wicked, Dorothy Gale never appears on stage, despite having a significant impact on the story. Her silhouette is shown throwing water at the Wicked Witch of the West, and all other references involve Dorothy off-stage. Glinda screams at the character offstage, and Elphaba screams at her through a trapdoor. The Wicked movie changes that with a little Wizard of Oz Easter egg that could hint at a more significant change to the story in Wicked: Part 2.
During the intro to “No One Mourns the Wicked”, Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion walk down the yellow brick road heading towards the Emerald City to see The Wizard – the events at the end of The Wizard of Oz. Considering she is directly referenced (albeit off-stage) in the second half of the musical, Dorothy may make a larger appearance in Wicked: Part 2.
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Elphaba is not enrolled at Shiz University when she arrives
Madame Morrible helps Elphaba stay at Shiz University
In the musical Wicked, Elphaba arrives alongside Nessarose at Shiz University, with both young women enrolled. The older sister can only attend school to take care of her younger sister, who is disabled. Elphaba has her magical outburst when she learns that the two will not be each other's roommates, gaining Madame Morrible's attention. Wicked: Part 1 adjusts the story so that Elphaba does not plan to attend Shiz University, and she is just there to drop off her sister. This seemingly small change has important implications.
Elphaba has a magical outburst because someone tries to move Nessarose against her will. Just like in the musical, this outburst catches the attention of Madame Morrible. However, the fact that Elphaba is not yet a student when they meet changes their dynamic. It is much easier for Morrible to manipulate the young girl in the film because she is indebted to her teacher. Without Madame Morrible, she would still be at home with her neglectful and cruel father. This makes the betrayal even greater when Elphaba discovers that the teacher has been manipulating her since their first interaction.
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Dr. Dillamond is part of an animal resistance group
The Resistance Group secretly tracks animal crimes in Oz
Dillamond has a similar character arc in the film and musical Wicked. He is one of the last animal-speaking teachers and teaches his students about animal discrimination during his history classes. He was eventually fired because he and the other talking animals were deprived of their legal rights. However, there is a significant difference between the two versions of the character. In the musical, he is isolated from all other talking animals. However, Dillamond meets up with a secret group of animals in the film, to whom he sings “Something Bad.” the Evil soundtrack.
Although never openly confirmed, the scene implies that they are an animal resistance group that tracks crimes against animals and talking animals that disappear after speaking out. At the end of Wicked: Part 1, Elphaba decides to fight against the Wizard's oppressive and discriminatory rules about talking animals. As such, the animal resistance group could potentially return in Wicked: Part 2expanding the history of the musical.
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Nessa introduces Boq to her father in the film Wicked
Nessa and Boq stay with their father when Elphaba leaves Shiz
In the musical Wicked, Elphaba's father, named Frexpar Thropp in the book and film, leaves Nessa and Elphaba at Shiz University, but he never appears on stage again after that point. The film changes this by having Frexpar show up at the university when everyone sends Elphaba to the Emerald City. During this brief moment, Nessarose introduces Boq to her father.
This shows the emotional attachment she developed for her unrequited love. In a short period of time, she goes from having a simple crush to introducing him to her father - a very important step in a relationship. The scene also implies that she may not realize that Boq is in love with Glinda. She may not have realized yet that Boq lied to her about why he asked her out at the Ozdust Ballroom.
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Elphaba and Glinda choose the color of the yellow brick road
The two main characters select the iconic color yellow
Wicked Part 1 adds an entirely new scene before “A Sentimental Man” when Elphaba and Glinda visit The Wizard in the Emerald City. After they arrive, the Wizard decides to show them his “Oz of Tomorrow” model. In addition to a larger and more eye-catching building in the capital, the model includes a road that crosses much of the region. He explains that he wants everyone to know that they can just “follow the road; follow the road” if they need your help.
However, the brick road is simply beige and he explains that he can't decide on the color. He allows Elphaba and Glinda to press buttons that light up the colors of the road, asking what color Elphaba thinks it should be. After running through the options, Glinda and Elphaba opt for the color yellow, transforming it from an ordinary path into the iconic Ozian landmark.
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Madame Morrible was working with the wizard from the beginning
Madame Morrible is more nefarious in the film
While Madame Morrible works with the Wizard from the beginning in Gregory Maguire's Dark, Evil book, the musical leaves his initial involvement extremely ambiguous. Elphaba asks about her knowledge of the Wizard's plan, and Madame Morrible says it's "for you too, dear." However, the script never clarifies whether Madame Morrible knew about the plan when she became press secretary or whether she knew about it before she met Elphaba. Ultimately, the conclusion largely depends on the actor in the specific show and the audience's perception.
Wicked: Part 1 uses the same general lines in this scene, but Michelle Yeoh perfectly executes her tone, facial expression and body language to convey that Madame Morrible has worked with The Wizard for a long time. The duo's strong chemistry and physical contact seem like close friends. Additionally, Elphaba specifically asks if she knew from the beginning of the film, rather than just asking if she knew - a slight change from the musical to the film, which eliminates some of the ambiguity.
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The film shows why the Munchkins love the wizard
"One Short Day" includes a section on the wizard's rise to power
Both from 1939 The Wizard of Oz and the Evil musicals include vague explanations as to why The Wizard became the political leader of Oz. However, the answers are not detailed enough to calm the curious. Happily, Wicked: Part 1 alters the song “One Short Day” to address the lingering question. The section is sung by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway's original Elphaba and Glinda, and explains precisely how The Wizard rose to power after arriving in the mystical land in a hot air balloon.
Long before his arrival, a group of magically adept individuals called “The Wise Ones” led Oz. Before they died, they prophesied that a person who could read The Grimmerie would arrive in Oz when people needed it most. Since the Wizard could read the book, they assumed he was the wizard who would save them.
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Elphaba and Fiyero meet in a new way in the film
The couple meets one-on-one rather than in a public setting
Throughout both Evil The Broadway musical and film Fiyero, Elphaba and Glinda are in a love triangle. In the musical, Elphaba and Glinda meet Fiyero in the same scene. This doesn't give either couple enough time to develop solid chemistry or foundation. However, Wicked: Part 1 changes the way Elphaba and Fiyero meet. After Elphaba leaves Dr. Dillamond's group of animals, she walks through the forest, where Fiyero's horse meets her.
The two have as much animosity as in the musical introduction, but the fact that no one else is around gives the pair a chance to develop chemistry without the distraction of other students. Elphaba and Fiyero's meet-cute also feels more natural and less rushed than the music scene. Ultimately, the new scene in Wicked: Part 1 provides a better foundation for Elphaba and Fiyero's connection at the end of the film.
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Wicked: Preparation for “Defying Gravity” from Part 1 is more intense than the musical version
The ending matches the intensity of the iconic song Wicked
One of the most exciting changes between the musical Wicked and the film is the scene before “Defying Gravity”. In the show, The Wizard orders the guards to go after Elphaba, causing Elphaba and Glinda to barricade themselves in a room. The film adaptation ramps up the drama, tension, and action before and during the iconic song.
Instead of a few guards chasing the pair, many of them chase after Elphaba. Additionally, Madame Morrible sends Wicked's flying monkeys after the duo, resulting in a frightening scene where they shatter the glass windows with their claws. Finally, Elphaba and Glinda try to escape in the Wizard's hot air balloon and have to improvise when the balloon bursts. Although changes can make Wicked: Part 1With the ending a little scarier for children, the new preparation seems proportionately epic when compared to the spectacular music.