5 Things That Can Be Improved from the Stage Adaptation of Wicked and 5 That Should Be Left Alone

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for how we hope Jon M. Chu’s stage-to-screen adaptation of “Wicked” will take the popular musical to the next level while also hitting all the right notes with fans of the original stage show. If you haven’t seen the musical, expect some spoilers up ahead. What are you hoping to see in the upcoming “Wicked” movie? Let us know in the comments

#5: Can Be Improved: Remembering That “Wicked” Was a Book First

If you’ve read Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” you’ll know that the show has taken unlimited liberties with its source material. Some characters were cut, others drastically changed, there are all sorts of forgotten storylines and a very different ending. Essentially, besides sharing a few names and the whole theme of what makes someone wicked, these two versions are as different as Galinda and Elphaba when they first meet! Now, the movie has already brought back some characters like Pfannee, ShenShen, and Averic. With it being split into two films, maybe there’s a chance to dust off some of the book’s shelved storylines, too.

#5: Should Be Left Alone: The “I’m Melting” Scene

The Wicked Witch of the West’s demise in the 1939 “The Wizard of Oz” is cinematic gold, thanks in no small part to Margaret Hamilton’s unforgettable performance. “Wicked” took a subtler route, using shadows behind a curtain for this iconic moment. So, how will the new movie handle it? We’re crossing our fingers for loyalty to the stage show. It’s a dramatic spectacle, especially when Chistery reveals Elphaba’s fate to Glinda. Remember how you felt the first time you watched the show and found out that the only thing that really melted was the shackles of Elphaba’s “Wicked” label? Wouldn’t it be great for movie-goers to share that same experience? We’re all in for it!

#4: Can Be Improved: More Exposition

The musical primarily focuses on Elphaba and Glinda's time at Shiz University and in the Emerald City. However, if you've read the book, you'll know there's a lot more Oz to explore. The novel's first part delves into Elphie's upbringing in Munchkinland and her mother's affair with a Quadling. Later, she attends Shiz in the Gillikin Country, where Glinda hails from. Elphaba even ventures to Fiyero's home in the Vinkus. Like our own world, each of these places has its unique culture that influences its inhabitants. While we wouldn't want it to overshadow the main storyline, it could be interesting to visit these regions and uncover how they shaped our favorite characters.

#4: Should Be Left Alone: The B-Plots

At its core, “Wicked” is about two unlikely friends coming together to ask, “are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them.” It poses the same question about goodness. However, plenty of other side points also feed into this greater narrative. Take the Wizard and Madame Morrible, pulling strings of good and evil while quietly oppressing some of Oz’s residents and deceiving the rest. Then there’s Doctor Dillamond, who advocates for questioning authority, only to be silenced by those in power. How about the events shaping Nessarose into the tyrannical Wicked Witch of the East? Each of these narratives is vital, adding depth to the show’s overarching theme. To trim any would be a disservice to the storytelling.

#3: Can Be Improved: Elphaba & the Wizard’s Intertwining Stories

In both the book and musical, there’s this major plot-twist revelation: the Wizard is Elphaba’s biological father! Come on, you can’t drop a bombshell like that and expect everyone to just move on! While the Wizard learns the truth by the show’s finale, Elphaba seemingly remains unaware, robbing the moment of its emotional weight. Perhaps revealing this earlier could integrate it into the story more smoothly and add more layers to their conflict. We also need more scenes between Glinda and the Wizard. She banishes him at the end, but we want to see her journey from accepting the title of Glinda the Good to realizing it’s one she has to earn.

#3: Should Be Left Alone: The Climactic Act One Finale

Remember the first time you experienced the sheer magic of “Defying Gravity” live? That exhilarating moment when Elphaba soars high above the stage? That final note that is probably one of the most recognizable in modern musical theater? Pure magic! Apparently, Stephen Schwartz feels the same, insisting nothing could possibly follow this epic number, making it a natural pause for the movie, too. So once again, “Defying Gravity” will likely bring the curtain down (or lights up?) on “Wicked” part one. We also hope the movie sticks to the show's overall finale instead of creating a new one that falls short. But we'll cross that bridge closer to the second part's release in 2025.

#2: Can Be Improved: Costumes & Scenery

Films aren’t bound by space limitations like stage productions. They can build expansive sets and enhance them with mind-blowing special effects. We’ve already glimpsed some spectacular landscapes in the trailer, from the magnificent Emerald City to the grandeur of Shiz University. Likewise, while the stage outfits are stunning, with the camera bringing audiences right up close to the action, the costumes can include more intricate details. We hope the film crew uses these to enrich the story, characters, and places we’ve come to adore from the show. It’s a fine line, though. We don’t want to get too catty, but we’ve seen what happens when these tools aren’t used wisely.

#2: Should Be Left Alone: The Broadway Magic

“Wicked” has held audiences spellbound since its debut, and trust us, the fans are hardcore. We’ve been eagerly awaiting its silver screen adaptation for what feels like forever, and our expectations are soaring higher than Elphaba defying gravity. After seeing what Jon M. Chu did with “In the Heights,” we’re feeling pretty good about him bringing that same magic to “Wicked.” Plus, with a cast that blends Broadway veterans and Hollywood icons, well, let’s just say we’re cautiously hopeful. “Wicked” is a phenomenon for a reason! While the magic of film has its perks, we hope they remember the fans who’ve been there practically from the first time the orchestra started playing the overture.

#1: Can Be Improved: The Supporting Cast’s Backstories

While we're intrigued by the introduction of new characters, we hope it doesn't overshadow much-needed development for existing ones. Take Madame Morrible, for example. How did she climb to power as Shiz's headmistress? What led to her alliance with the Wizard? Where did she learn the kind of magic that can carry a tornado across worlds? In the books, Boq plays a bigger role than just one-third of an unrequited love triangle, while Fiyero is married and has children. Then there's Nessarose: what was her childhood with Elphaba like? How did her struggles shape her reign over Munchkinland? Two feature-length movies offer ample time for these stories to unfold without losing sight of the main plot.

#1: Should Be Left Alone: The Score

Movie musicals often tinker with the show’s score, sometimes more than they should. Pacing adjustments, like Chu’s in “In the Heights,” may be justified, but straight-up cutting songs? That’s a whole different story. Schwartz’s Tony-nominated soundtrack is basically the heart and soul of the show, adding layers to the narrative that mere dialogue can’t capture. Don’t even get us started on rearranging songs to cater to non-musical fans (*ahem* “Mean Girls”). Schwartz is penning new numbers that will likely be great additions but shouldn’t replace any beloved tunes. Any tweaks made here won’t necessarily result in the movie adaptation being “changed for the better.” The soundtrack should remain untouched “For Good.”