How Wicked: Part 1 is a Love Letter to the Fans

How Wicked Part 1 Is a Love Letter to the Fans

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re outlining why we couldn’t be happier with everything that went into making “Wicked” Part 1 defy our expectations. If you’re here, we assume, like us, you’re huge Wizomaniacs; however, if you haven’t yet seen the film, we will be discussing some spoilers.

As fans, we’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for a “Wicked “movie, and when it finally started coming together, we were beyond thrilled. But if we harp on the past for just a second—movie musicals can be a mixed bag. Then came Jon M. Chu, who had already impressed us with his stage-to-screen magic in “In the Heights.” With him at the helm, we dared to hope. And when “Wicked: Part One” hit theaters, it was clear: Chu and his team treated this project with the love and care only true fans could bring, keeping the heart of the story alive in every choice they made.


When “Wicked” debuted on Broadway, it didn’t exactly charm the critics or sweep the Tonys, despite leading the pack in nominations. Yet, for audiences, it was magic. Here was a story about friendship, identity, social injustice, and so much more. It was a story that flipped “The Wizard of Oz” on its head, giving us a fresh, sympathetic take on the Wicked Witch and forcing us to rethink everything we thought we knew about good and evil. For so many of us, the characters felt like reflections of ourselves, their struggles like ours. Yet it still had just the right amount of fantasy to transport us “Somewhere over the rainbow” where “troubles melt like lemon drops.”


The movie honors the story that’s stayed with us “like a handprint on [our] hearts” for so long. At nearly three hours, Part One makes the most of its runtime to add more depth and richness. What’s amazing is how effortless it feels—there’s no unnecessary padding, and those 2 hours and 40 minutes fly by. We have more time between songs to truly understand what motivates these characters, even giving us a lengthier exploration of Elphaba’s childhood. The film also expands the world of Oz, diving into the political and social dynamics that shape these characters in ways that feel natural yet fresh. The cinematic format brings new layers to the characters, especially Elphaba’s journey of resilience and self-discovery. Even Glinda (the Ga is silent) gets a fresh take, evolving beyond the Queen Bee trope and showing remarkable growth, with so much more to come in Part Two.


Just think back to the first time you saw “Wicked.” The chills when the overture began, the jaw-dropping awe of “Defying Gravity,” or how you may have contributed to a global shortage of tissues after “For Good.” Not only did we have high hopes for how this story would be told, but we also cared deeply about how it would make us feel.


Luckily, that was exactly how Chu wanted to approach this reimagining. As he told “Today” certain scenes and moments formed “core memories” for him, and he made it his mission to honor the emotions he left the theater with when he first saw the show. Splitting the film into two parts, even though the full stage production runs shorter than just Part One, was about dedicating the time needed to create something fans would recognize and cherish. Having super fan Ariana Grande-Butera on board didn’t hurt either—she often stepped in as the voice of the fans, reminding everyone, “That’s bible, you can’t remove that line.”


And let’s just gush for a second, but how exciting was it to hear some of the most iconic lines from the show in the movie!? It’s clear this was a project made by fans, for fans. The creative team had countless discussions about what absolutely had to be included, ensuring no essential detail was overlooked.


Then there’s the soundtrack—our beloved soundtrack. The songs that have carried us through so much were performed with the same heart and care as when we first heard them. From the carefree joy of “Dancing Through Life” to the playful charm of “Popular” and the grandeur of “One Short Day,” the cast went above and beyond, giving performances that went harder than anything we could’ve wished for.


Yes, the “Wicked” soundtrack holds such a special place in our hearts, and we can’t imagine the story without every single one of those iconic songs. First off, “Thank Goodness” none of them were cut! And we’re thrilled that, unlike some recent movie musicals, it fully embraces its identity as just that—a movie musical. They also didn’t try to modernize the sound for broader appeal, either. In fact, composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz briefly considered tweaking “Popular “with a more rhythmic, hip-hop feel, but Grande insisted on keeping it as-is. She didn’t want fans to feel like they were seeing her pop persona in Glinda’s role, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.


That said, if you thought you’d be mouthing along with every song from memory, you might have been caught off guard. The movie makes lyrical tweaks, subtle shifts in instrumentation, and even some changes in pacing. But none of these adjustments take away from the songs we know and love—in fact, they give us even more to appreciate. Big ensemble numbers like “What Is This Feeling?” and “Dancing Through Life” are absolutely breathtaking. Jonathan Bailey brings a genuine charm and deep charisma to the latter, making every second effortlessly captivating.

Practically every note Grande sings is absolutely dreamy too, even when paired with her impeccable comedic skills.As for Cynthia Erivo, well, she’s gonna wreck you in the best way possible. Her rendition of “I’m Not That Girl “is a masterclass in vulnerability and emotion, and “Defying Gravity”? Are there even any words?

Let’s not forget that the actors chose to sing live for this film. Imagine being in the studio as Erivo soared through such a vocally demanding song while literally flying. It’s indescribable! Idina Menzel may have defined “Defying Gravity” as the original Elphaba, but Erivo makes it her own. Initially, she performed it “by the book,” but after some encouragement from Schwartz, she found her own connection to the song, and it shows. Every note carries so much heart, creating a rendition that’s both a loving homage and a fresh interpretation. It’s everything we could have hoped for, right down to that iconic silhouette and the riff, leaving audiences floating out of the theater on pure joy.


And now, let’s talk about the biggest musical change: “One Short Day.” The song starts a little differently from the stage version, but the essence and subtle nods to “The Wizard of Oz” are still fully intact. If you haven’t seen Part One yet, this is the time to skip ahead because major spoiler coming up! The “Wizmonia” section has been completely reimagined, expanding on how the Wizard became so idolized and the origins of the Grimmerie. This new take is longer, more detailed, and every bit as enchanting. The addition feels like a perfect fit, made even better by the casting of two absolute legends as Oz’s “Wise Ones.” It’s a stunning homage, seamlessly connecting the new material to the melody we know and love, with none other than Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel tying it all together.


Is there a better way to say, “We see you, fans” than packing the film with as many Easter eggs as possible? Probably not. Actually, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, you might want to skip this part, too— big spoilers incoming!


Since we just mentioned the original Broadway cast, let’s start there. Who didn’t jump out of their seat when Menzel and Chenoweth made their cameos? Or when Menzel delivered that iconic riff again? In that same scene, Michael McCorry Rose, who once understudied Fiyero on Broadway, plays the narrator, while stage and screenwriter Winnie Holzman and composer Stephen Schwartz show up as well. And it doesn’t stop there! Galinda’s parents are portrayed by Adam James and Alice Fearn, who played Elphaba on the West End. See if you can spot where Kerry Ellis and Dianne Pilkington, who played Elphaba and Glinda respectively on the West End,d made their mark on the movie, too. If you know your West End actors, this film really is a who's who of them!


But the Easter eggs don’t end with familiar faces. This film is packed with nods to both the Broadway show and “The Wizard of Oz.” You could rewatch it every day until Part Two drops and still find something new. It starts right away with hints of “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” in the opening number. In fact, musical motifs are hidden practically everywhere!




While we couldn’t possibly name every easter egg here, we’ll get you started with a few more. In “The Wizard and I,” Elphaba takes us “Somewhere over the rainbow,” where “Bluebirds Fly.” We get to see the origins of The Yellow Brick Road, and the ruby slippers have their moment, too! Then, there are the countless foreshadowing details for Part Two. The number of easter eggs tucked away in this movie will blow your socks off; bonus points if they’re stripey! In short, if you blink, you are bound to miss something!


Unlike the Wizard’s smoke-and-mirrors act, Jon M. Chu’s magic in “Wicked” is anything but hot air. His vision was bold, and his commitment to making it real was unlimited. Instead of relying solely on CGI, Chu wanted to immerse audiences fully, making Oz feel tangible. And wow, did he deliver!


But as they say (kind of), Oz wasn’t built in a day. It took a tremendous team effort from set design, costume, props, cinematography, and so much more to create this totally sensory experience that almost made it feel as if we were watching it live. Those breathtaking sets were indeed actually built! Sure, CGI plays a role, but only to enhance what’s already been built, not to replace it. Production designer Nathan Crowley and his team went to extraordinary lengths to bring Oz to life—like planting nine million tulips to create Munchkinland’s rainbow landscape. Yes. Nine. Million. Tulips. The Emerald City is also just even more astounding when you know the set is actually real! Crowley explained his inspiration for the City and it’s absolutely phenomenal. We wish we could visit the set to really take in all the details. Doesn’t it just make you want to be in the hoi polloi?


Let’s take a moment to appreciate the costumes too. Designing outfits that feel fresh and modern while still paying homage to the Broadway show and the classic “Wizard of Oz” looks can’t be an easy task, but costume designer Paul Tazewell and his team nailed it. The iconic silhouettes of Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton provided inspiration, but he brought them into the present with clever details and contemporary twists. The result is a costume design that’s visually stunning and totally on point with the characters. Plus, there are plenty of Easter eggs hidden in the costumes for the fans to spot.

Since this film has been such a long time coming, with countless names attached over the years and dream casts evolving in our heads, the final ensemble feels like pure serendipity. The stars aligned to deliver a cast we didn’t realize we needed, and now, it’s impossible to picture anyone else bringing these iconic roles to life on screen.


Cynthia Erivo shines as Elphaba, bringing emotional depth and raw power to the role. Fans familiar with her performance history already knew she could deliver, but her take on Elphaba is next-level. Every note she sings feels personal, and her renditions of “I’m Not That Girl” and “Defying Gravity” are absolutely devastating—in the best way. Casting a Black woman from the LGBTQIA+ community in a role so deeply tied to themes of marginalization was inspired, adding even more resonance to the story. This choice builds on a history of thoughtful casting for Elphaba, with Idina Menzel, a Jewish actress, originating the role on Broadway. Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” doesn’t just hold its own against Menzel’s—it soars alongside it.


Ariana Grande-Butera had more to prove, with skeptics hesitant to see past her pop star persona, but she’s a revelation as Glinda. Her comedic timing is impeccable, her vocals flawless, and her love for the character radiates in every scene. She truly takes care of Glinda, balancing her bubbly charm with her more heartfelt moments, leaving no doubt she was born to play this role.


Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero— we’ll give those who just swooned a moment to collect themselves. He plays the “deeply shallow and genuinely self-absored prince” to perfection. The way he shows that transformation into someone who realizes there’s more to life than just having fun is incredible. His performance of “Dancing Through Life” is unforgettable, earning a place in our memory banks right alongside the first time we ever saw “Wicked.”


Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard are equally brilliant. They play their parts with such finesse that first-timers might never suspect the darkness lurking behind their façades. Now that their true colors are revealed, we can’t wait for the fireworks they’ll bring in Part Two.


Ethan Slater’s Boq is charmingly adorkable, while Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Pfannee and Shenshen breathe life into characters omitted from the stage show, making their absence in the original feel like a missed opportunity. Little Elphie (Karis Musongole) and little Nessa (Cesily Collette Taylor, an actual wheelchair user!) are not only adorable but perfectly cast. And Peter Dinklage as Doctor Dillamond brings a gravitas that makes the plight of Oz’s Animals hit harder than ever.


Finally, we must rave about Marissa Bode as Nessarose. For the first time, Nessa is played by a wheelchair user, and Bode delivers a performance full of confidence and strength. We can’t wait to see more of her in Part Two!


When you look at this cast, you can tell how much thought and care was put into their choices. “Wicked” is a story about identity, belonging and breaking down judgments based on appearances. Beyond their talent, this ensemble reflects the beauty of diversity and inclusion, proving how meaningful it is when audiences see themselves on screen. Anyone can watch this film and know that their futures are unlimited.


In the end, this film gave us everything we hoped for—and more. It captured the magic, the emotions, and the joy of seeing the show live, proving that this was a labor of love from start to finish. Thrillifying doesn’t even begin to cover it.


Congratulotions for making it to the end! Swankify our comment section by telling us why you loved the film!