Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Wicked
2024 Evil confirms the real name of The Wizard of Oz, connecting to the original Broadway production as well as the original Wizard of Oz story by author L. Frank Baum. In EvilElphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) encounter Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard in the Emerald City, eventually discovering the truth about his lack of magical power, as well as his plans for the Land of Oz. Therefore, the final act of Evil also reveals the Wizard’s true name before he became known as “Oz the Great and Powerful”.
As revealed during Elphaba and Glinda’s arrival in the Emerald City, the main issue “One Short Day” confirms that the people of Oz mistook the man who arrived in a hot air balloon as a powerful wizard capable of reading Grimmerie. However, Oz has no true power and is instead just a con man and stage magician from Omaha who gradually comes to rule the Land of Oz, appearing to be benevolent but in reality ruling with an iron fist. To that end, The Wizard of Oz’s real name is revealed in Evil shortly after Elphaba discovers the truth and refuses to work with him.
Wicked confirms Oscar Diggs as the wizard’s real name
Shown just before “Defying Gravity”
As seen at the beginning of Evil In the final number “Defying Gravity”, Glinda tries to reason with Elphaba and get her to stay in the Emerald City to try to make a deal with the Wizard. Meanwhile, Elphaba tries to convince Glinda to join her and escape. As the two argue in the attic that holds the Sorcerer’s balloon and his things from Nebraska, posters and boxes can be seen in the background featuring a young Oz with his full stage name: Oscar Diggs.
Having been a stage magician in Omaha, Oscar Diggs also called himself “The Wise and Magnificent” rather than “The Great and Powerful” as he came to be known in the Land of Oz. However, although Oz is an abbreviation, “Oscar Diggs” himself was shortened from the much longer name of the Sorcerer in the original story by L. Frank Baum. After all, The Wizard of Oz has seven middle names.
The wizard’s real name explains why he goes by Oz
Who would like to be called Pinhead?
In the original Wizard of OzOz’s full name is Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambroise Diggs. While he tried to turn his name into an acronym, he ended up spelling it “Ozpinhead”. As a result, Oscar Diggs decided to simply go by the name Oz, using only the first two letters of his first two names.. Naturally, this proved to be quite advantageous, as it helped the people of Oz see him as a wizard destined to rule once he arrived in his balloon. As such, it stands to reason that Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard would have the same full name in Evilseven middle names and everything.
Evil is now showing in theaters.