Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About Wicked (2024)

Watching the “Wicked” trailers, you might’ve noticed that most of the clips center on Elphaba and Galinda’s time at Shiz University with “Defying Gravity” as the big centerpiece. There are virtually no scenes from the stage version’s second half. That’s because Act Two isn’t getting the cinematic treatment until 2025. In April 2022, director Jon M. Chu confirmed that “Wicked” would be a two-part adaptation. The filmmakers concluded that the story couldn’t be told in one feature without removing songs and characters. Like 2021’s “Dune,” the advertising for “Wicked” has tiptoed around the fact that it’s only half the story. Whether or not general audiences realize this, “Wicked’s” pre-sale tickets have already made it one of the most popular films on Fandango.

In 2008, Universal extended producer Marc Platt’s contract with three projects in the pipeline: a “Wanted” sequel, a “Jesus Christ Superstar” remake, and an adaptation of “Wicked.” Universal pushed forward with the “Wicked” movie following the success of 2012’s “Les Misérables.” In 2014, Platt said he wasn’t “in a hurry” to make a “Wicked” movie with the stage version still being a soaring success. After initially eying a 2016 release, Universal slated “Wicked” for December 20, 2019. That release date was ultimately given to Tom Hooper’s “Cats” instead. Despite that enormous flop, Universal hoped to release “Wicked” in 2021. COVID got in the way with Hollywood strikes further delaying production. “Wicked” would be ready for 2024, more than two decades after the musical’s Broadway premiere.

Before “Wicked” made it to Broadway, Hollywood considered adapting Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel into a movie. Demi Moore reportedly optioned the book early on. Maguire granted the film rights to Universal, which planned to make a live-action film with Marc Platt producing. The studio struggled to find a satisfying script, though. The project was also seen as a financial gamble. After Stephen Schwartz came across the book, he got Maguire and Platt on board with turning “Wicked” into a stage musical. Even after “Wicked” became a Broadway phenomenon, there was still talk about doing a non-musical adaptation of Maguire’s book. Between 2009 and 2011, ABC and Salma Hayek teamed up to produce an eight-hour miniseries based on the book, but it never took flight.

As early whispers of a “Wicked” movie circulated, Lea Michele and Amy Adams were seen as dream casting choices. In 2014, Harry Styles was rumored to be a potential Fiyero. The same year, Nicole Scherzinger was reportedly in talks to play Elphaba. To direct, J. J. Abrams, Rob Marshall, and Ryan Murphy were considered until the studio landed on Stephen Daldry. The “Billy Elliot” director remained attached until 2020 with Chu stepping in. Dove Cameron, Reneé Rapp, and Amanda Seyfried were in the running for Galinda before the part went to Ariana Grande, who auditioned five times. Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo was cast as Elphaba while Jonathan Bailey beat out Ryan McCartan, Nick, and Joe Jonas for Fiyero.

Even decades later, 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” still contains some of cinema’s most iconic and awe-inspiring sets. Chu wanted to bring that same practical magic to his interpretation of Oz. While the film isn’t shying away from CGI, Chu’s team aimed to build as much as possible from the ground up. Real mud was used for the Yellow Brick Road and millions of tulips were planted for Munchkinland. Even the train that takes Elphaba and Galinda to the Emerald City would involve a practical set piece, which weighed 16 tons and took two days to move. In addition to films like “The Truman Show,” and “Pleasantville,” Chu drew inspiration from Steven Spielberg’s “Hook,” citing large physical sets like the pirate ship.

Costume designer Paul Tazewell has received a Tony for “Hamilton,” an Emmy for “The Wiz Live!,” and an Oscar nomination for Steven Speilberg’s adaptation of “West Side Story.” He also previously worked with Cynthia Erivo on 2019’s “Harriet.” While the “Wicked” stage musical and the Oz franchise as a whole provided a basis, Tazewell wanted Elphaba and Galinda’s costumes to feel specifically tailored to Erivo and Grande. Expressing who the characters are through their outfits, Tazewell found an unlikely inspiration in a mushroom documentary. Tazewell saw the textures and patterns in mushrooms as a visual language. Mushrooms and fungus were top of mind while defining Elphaba’s grounded look, which offsets Galinda’s bubbly outfits that practically float off the floor.

One could argue that Grande’s audition to play Galinda started when she was 10 years old. Attending a performance of “Wicked,” Grande and her grandmother got to meet Kristin Chenoweth backstage. Chenoweth recognized Grande’s talent as she sang a verse from “Popular.” Over the following years, Grande made her Broadway debut and became a TV star on Nickelodeon. She also took the initial steps toward becoming a pop sensation, being featured in the “Wicked”-inspired “Popular Song.” Celebrating the musical’s 15th anniversary, Grande performed “The Wizard and I” on NBC’s telecast of “A Very Wicked Halloween.” Where Grande sang one of Elphaba’s songs, Erivo performed Galinda’s “Thank Goodness” solo on PBS’ “Wicked in Concert.” Not long after, Grande and Erivo would swap songs.

Idina Menzel won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba on Broadway. When a “Wicked” movie entered development, Menzel made it no secret that she wanted to reprise her role. It wouldn’t have been the first time Menzel brought a character from stage to screen, joining her fellow “Rent” alumni in the 2005 movie version. In 2014, Menzel acknowledged that it might make more sense for her to play Elphaba’s mother at this point. Still, Menzel said she “would die” to be in the film. By 2021, Grande and Erivo were cast as the leads. Although Menzel was “very excited” about the casting, she admitted it was “hard” to let go of Elphaba and felt “a little sad” about aging out of the role.

Being a two-part event allows the filmmakers to preserve most of the stage musical’s songs and plot points. It also opens the door for new characters like Miss Coddle, played by Keala Settle of “The Greatest Showman.” Established characters will be further explored too. “Part One” dedicates more time to Elphaba’s relationships with Madame Morrible and her sister Nessarose, not to mention her difficult upbringing in Munchkinland. Erivo suggested a few tweaks to Elphaba such as her nails and hair. Chu will take a few liberties with the musical numbers, moving part of “Dancing Through Life” to a rotating library and giving the Ozdust Ballroom a nightclub makeover. Other additions draw straight from Maguire’s book and the L. Frank Baum classics that started it all.

In 2017, before “Wicked” got split into two films, it was reported that Stephen Schwartz had teased three new songs written for the screen adaptation. He also suggested they might make room for a song cut from the Broadway version. In a conflicting report, Schwartz claimed he hadn’t written any new music, but the “Wicked” movie would have “at least two” new tunes. When the movie’s soundtrack was unveiled, it featured eleven Act One songs, covering everything from “No One Mourns the Wicked” to “Defying Gravity.” Yet, no new songs were listed. Likewise, the film’s FYC page doesn’t list a Best Original Song contender. Nevertheless, Schwartz has continued to hint at one or two new songs, although we likely won’t hear them until “Part Two.”


Do any of you Ozians have a “Wicked” secret to share? Let us know in the comments.