Broadway is back on the big screen, thank you Evilwhich sees the first film in its two-part adaptation hit cinemas on November 22nd. Of course, its pedigree precedes the stage, as the musical was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, which itself serves as a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Evil centers on Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a student at Oz’s prestigious Shiz University, whose life has been made more difficult by her unnatural shade of green.
Audiences know Elphaba as the Wicked Witch of the West, but Evil pulls back the curtain to reveal her sensitive and caring nature, her complex friendship with Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande) when she was just Galinda Upland, and her deep devotion to her sister Nessa. Nessarose Thropp (played by newcomer Marissa Bode) is also different from her fellow Shiz students, having been born paralyzed from the waist down, but handles her situation differently than Elphaba. She even begins a sweet romance with a little guy named Boq (Ethan Slater), although there is the unfortunate case of Boq harboring his secret crush on Glinda.
TelaRant interviewed Bode and Slater about their roles in Evil and which song is their favorite from Part 1. The duo also explained how Nessarose and Boq deal with their love triangle (more precisely, a pentagon) with Glinda, and teased where their journey will take them. Wicked: Part II.
There’s no place like home and there’s no feature film debut like the bad guy
“Being in a big movie like this, and it being my first, is really mind-blowing for me.”
Screen Rant: Marissa, this is your film debut and it’s Evil. What was that experience like and how did it set the tone for your career?
Marissa Bode: I mean, being in a big movie like this, and it being my first, is still genuinely mind-blowing to me. But it also makes me really excited to have my face out there and what else is to come in the future.
Because I’m definitely not done yet, especially in the world of creating more spaces for people with disabilities. If it’s not me, I want to make sure and defend that it’s another person with a disability. There is absolutely a place for people with disabilities in the industry as long as we are seen, heard, and our accommodations are met.
Screen Rant: Can each of you tell me your favorite Evil music that isn’t yours?
Ethan Slater: I’ve been saying that my favorite song is “What Is This Feeling?” but maybe that’s not true. Maybe I lied. I love them all, but I will say one of my favorite things, as someone who loves “Make ‘Em Laugh” [from Singin’ In The Rain] and comedy, dance and physical comedy numbers, “Popular” is just one of the best versions we’ve seen in a long time. So I’m going to say it this time.
Marissa Bode: I think for me there’s still a tie between “The Wizard And I” and “Defying Gravity,” just because of the power of those songs and the hope. There are all emotions in these songs, especially the ones that Cynthia conveys. It’s just a chef’s kiss.
Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode Tell Their Side of Wicked’ Glinda Love Triangle Story
“I really think it’s really powerful, both what we can learn from this and what we can learn not to do.”
Screen Rant: Boq goes from his one-sided crush on Galinda to a reluctant relationship with Nessarose. Can you take us on this journey, Ethan? Do your feelings for her grow in any specific direction in Part 1?
Ethan Slater: Yes, it’s a really good question because I think there is a real relationship between Boq and Nessarose. There’s a real friendship there, and I think the friendship grows and develops, especially through the scene at the Ozdust Ballroom.
There is unrequited love, as Boq misses Galinda, which will never happen. But I think the development of this friendship and relationship is really beautiful in the first film, and we’ll see what happens from there. I really think it’s really powerful, both what we can learn from it and what we can learn not to do from it. Is this vague enough?
Screen Rant: I love it. I’m always wondering how many people will go into this without knowing what happens in Part 2.
Ethan Slater: Well, that’s it. I feel like what’s really interesting about this is that some people are; many people are. I really think it’s such a good movie [on its own]and then know there is a second? I don’t know, I’m excited about it.
Screen Rant: Speaking of planting seeds for Part 2, what can you say about where Nessarose is emotionally at the end of Wicked and how she might be affected later on?
Marissa Bode: There’s that part at the train station where you briefly see that the wheels might be turning for Nessa, when she sees Boq and how much adoration he has for Glinda. I think at that moment she said, ‘Well, I’m not sure if he ever really looked at me that way.’ We’re taking that and going into the second movie, and seeing how she deals with those feelings.
More about Wicked Part 1 (2024)
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars the powerful Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, which still didn’t discover it. true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University, in the fantastic Land of Oz, and create an unlikely but deep friendship. After an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unwavering desire for popularity causes her to be seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself and those around her will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately lead them to fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Check out our others Evil interviews here:
Source: Screen Rant Plus