Wicked Part One: Everything You Need To Know (2024)

The adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked came to the big screen in 2024, after years of being in development. The Wicked musical is an adaptation of the book Wicked, the first of the series The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire which is itself a revisionist take on The Wizard of Oz books by L. Frank Baum. This version of the story focuses on Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch of the West, as well as the society and history of Oz. It fills in a lot of the blanks on the original books and film (such as why there is only one road!), and adds depth and complexity to the original simple tale.

In 2003, Stephen Schwartz adapted the novel to Broadway as the composer and lyricist and worked with Winnie Holzman to write the book (the narrative structure of a play). Like the novel, Wicked focuses on The Wizard of Oz witches before and after the events of the latter. Witches Elphaba and Galinda are the main characters and the musical gives context to the well-known story of Oz, introducing themes of forgiveness, trust, and discrimination. The huge success of the musical means that it is no surprise that a film adaptation eventually made its way to Hollywood.

Wicked Part One Box Office & Reception

A Critical & Commercial Hit

Though adapting one of the most popular Broadway shows of the 21st century onto film was a risk, it isn't really that surprising that Wicked Part One is a box-office success. Snagging a record-shattering $164 million in its first weekend alone, the tent-pole blockbuster exceeded expectations and has dethroned other musicals from recent decades. Considering the combined budget of both installments of Wicked (reportedly $350 million), both movies will need to be smash-hits in order to make that money back.

In another big win for Universal and their multi-million dollar musical gamble, Wicked Part One is a critical darling as well as a financial success. Screen Rant lavished praise upon the film, giving it points for capturing the grandeur of the original stage production. Furthermore, other reviews were particularly keen to give stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo their laurels (via Variety). However, it wasn't all magic, and outlets like Time Magazine were less happy with the overwrought story.

• Box Office: Glicked Weekend Sees Wicked Defying Gladiator 2 With Huge $100M+ Projections [Full Chart Update]
• Wicked Looks Poised To Make $1 Billion At The Box Office After New Record

Wicked Part One Cast

Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Lead An All-Star Cast

The Wicked movie took big swings when Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast as Galinda and Elphaba, respectively. Elphaba's love, Fiyero, is played by Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton fame, while veteran child actor Marissa Bode made her feature film debut as Elphaba's younger sister, Nessarose. Rounding out the main cast. Ethan Slater plays Boq Woodsman. Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh appears as Shiz University's Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum appears as The Wizard of Oz.

The full main ensemble cast is as follows:

Actor	Wicked Role
Cynthia Erivo	Elphaba
Ariana Grande	Galinda
Jonathan Bailey	Fiyero Tigelaar
Michelle Yeoh	Madame Morrible
Jeff Goldblum	The Wizard of Oz
Ethan Slater	Boq
Marissa Bode	Nessaroe
Bowen Yang	Pfannee
Bronwyn James	ShenShen
Peter Dinklage	Dr. Dillamond
Andy Nyman	Frexspar Thropp
Aaron Teoh	Avaric Tenmeadows
Grecia de la Paz	Gilligan
Colin Michael Carmichael	Professor Nikidik

• Every Wizard Of Oz Character Who Appears In Wicked

Wicked Part One Trailers

Watch The Trailers Here

Debuting during the 2024 Super Bowl, the long-awaited trailer for the first part of Wicked did not disappoint as it not only gave away story details but teased the music as well. While recent movie musicals like Mean Girls have downplayed their music, Wicked put "Defying Gravity" to the forefront for the trailer as it introduced Elphaba's struggle and the movie's connection to The Wizard of Oz.

Not to be outdone by the trailer that debuted in early 2024, another full trailer for Wicked was dropped in May 2024 that gives fans even more hints of the best-selling musical soundtrack. Underscored by the well-known "Popular", the trailer gives more looks at the early relationship between Galinda and Elphaba, before turning its sights to many of the spectacular visuals found in the film. While the story and music is well known to fans, the trailer shines because reveals that the Wicked movie is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

A character-centric trailer for Wicked was revealed in August 2024 which puts its focus squarely on Jonathan Bailey's Fiyero. As he galvants around campus and seemingly wins the heart of Galinda with his vapid charms and good looks, Elphaba seemingly sees through his facade and notices his scheming ways.

With the November release date looming nearer, a second full trailer for Wicked was revealed in September 2024. Focusing on Elphaba's arc, the trailer introduces her as an outcast student who is confident with help from her new friend Galinda. However, as her powers manifest, she begins to garner hatred from her fellow Oz citizens, and the Wizard is more than happy to use her as a scapegoat.

Wicked Part One Ending & Spoilers

Only Half The Musical Was In Part One

Dispelling fears that the movie adaptation would stray from the beloved Broadway show, Wicked Part One kept close to the successful musical. As such, the ending of Wicked Part One only capped off what was the first act of the stage musical, meaning there is still a lot left to be resolved in Wicked Part Two. Almost none of the major plotlines have been resolved, and this makes the second part not only highly-anticipated, but necessary as well.

• How Elphaba's Choice In Wicked's Ending Will Impact Part 2 Teased By Director

Wicked Part One Sequel Set Up

A Sequel Is Already On The Schedule

There was no suspense when it came to the sequel to Wicked Part One, and not only is the sequel already made, but it has a release date as well. Since the entire Wicked adaptation splits the Broadway musical in two, Wicked Part Two is less of a follow-up, and more of the second act of a much larger story. Because of this, the first half left all of its plot threads untied, and was essentially the preamble to the big finish that's coming in the second part.

• Wicked Part 2's Story Explained: What Happens After Part 1's Ending

9/10

Wicked

PG

Adventure

Fantasy

Musical

Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Director

Jon M. Chu

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Studio(s)

Marc Platt Productions

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum

Cast

Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd

Character(s)

Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda's Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife

Runtime

160 Minutes

Main Genre

Musical