Taking a page from the Broadway adaptation that inspired him, Evil is taking a surprising path with its release. EvilThe timeline of events follows two witches with an unlikely bond before the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Featuring pop star Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked’s cast of characters is on track to have their stories spread across two films instead of one.
Why Evil will be divided into two parts, the second part will be released the following year. The director of the musical adaptation, John M. Chu, explained that they were unable to fit the entire story into a film and that it was a challenge to follow the scenes after “Defying Gravity”. However, there is a great risk after the decision to divide Evil in two films – largely because of the first song.
Wicked’s first song won’t return until the second film
“No One Mourns The Wicked” sets the film’s stone
“No One Mourns The Wicked” is set chronologically at the end of Evil because the main narrative is like a flashback, and the music comes full circle at the end of the film. However, because Evil is being divided into two parts, like the musical, the opening number will not circle back until next year, when the second part is released. Due to the decision to divide the film into two parts, this represents a considerable risk as audiences may have forgotten what was the first one like Evil movie started.
Another reason for the split Evil in two parts might be problematic, given the opening number, is that “No One Mourns For The Wicked” won’t be as impactful. Because audiences will have to wait until next year for the film to come full circle, the story will feel unfinished and unsatisfying inside Evilrunning time in part 1 and it won’t be as exciting and intriguing. Given the context of the song, “No One Mourns For The Wicked” wouldn’t work or fit into the film if Elphaba is still present at the end.
Wicked Can’t Cut “No One Mourns The Wicked” as the opening song
“No One Mourns The Wicked” is an integral part of the film
The only way for the first Wicked movie work is to tell the story chronologically so that the audience does not forget important moments. But for that to happen, “No One Mourns The Wicked” would have to be abandoned or the concept would need to be reworked. However, the song and also iconic for the film to abandon, as it demonstrates different attitudes towards the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. As the audience celebrates, Glinda tries to be niceand also gives a glimpse of Glinda and Elphaba’s bond.
“No One Mourns The Wicked” is one of the songs that should be included in the Evilbecause it is a reminder of The Wizard of Oz. The opening song in Evil mirrors “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead”, a song by The Wizard of Oz which celebrates Elphaba’s death. This is significant because both songs offer the same perspective on Elphaba’s death, showing that she will never be mourned.