Nearly a month has passed since the Wicked movie hit theaters, but — like much of the internet — we simply cannot stop thinking about it. The soundtrack is stuck in our heads, the film is earning well-deserved award nominations, and everyone is falling in love with Jonathan Bailey (again).
With the Wicked hype still in full swing and sing-along showings on the way, we got together to discuss the film, its cast, the music and more.
If you’re familiar with the Broadway musical or stage adaptation, how did the Wicked movie compare? If you have yet to see it on stage, has the film piqued your curiosity or interest?
Ashley W.: Wicked is easily one of my top-five favorite musicals, but it’s not flawless. The movie — so far — has done a near-perfect job at expanding on the narrative and giving more depth to the characters. Just about every critique I’ve had for act one of the musical (which equates to Wicked: Part One’s coverage) has been addressed. I missed certain dialogue and other elements from the Broadway show, but the film does a tremendous job of paying homage to the musical and utilizing its medium. One of my favorite things about the Wicked stage musical is how it uses live theatre to tell its story. That’s something that the movie can’t translate, but the movie tells the story in the cinematic way it deserves.
Amanda W.: Wicked the Musical is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite musicals and Wicked is an excellent adaptation of the musical’s first act. Like Ashley, I definitely miss certain lines and other things from the Broadway adaptation, but every change the film made works and feels purposeful. The movie simply gives us more and expands on the award-winning stage musical, taking advantage of the medium. We get some more history, more backstory, more worldbuilding and more from every character without it feeling like too much. Also, thank Oz for Ariana Grande’s expertise in helping the film stay so true and faithful to the stage adaptation!
Rachel: I haven’t seen Wicked on stage. (I know. I know. I’m so behind everyone else!) However, the film was so entertaining that I am wondering how it compares. As someone who has been a film fan my whole life, I’m especially curious about any references to the classic The Wizard of Oz film and not just Baum’s books. Besides that, seeing the Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel cameos made me wish I could have seen the Broadway musical while they were playing the lead roles.
Shelby: Unfortunately, I’ve never seen Wicked on stage. Oddly, I feel like I’ve always been aware of the original Broadway cast recording and the show itself. Wicked is such a massive part of musical theatre and pop culture history that our paths would’ve crossed eventually. If I hadn’t grown up obsessed with The Wizard of Oz and found it that way, I would’ve learned about it when I became obsessed with musicals, Glee or something else entirely. Wicked is bound to spellbind people; it’s that good. So, this movie just makes me want to see the stage show more than I did before. That said, I really like that the movie can bring Wicked to people who may not be able to see the stage show.
From Hollywood stars to Broadway names to unknowns, many actors auditioned and were considered. How would you evaluate the final casting choices?
Ashley W.: Before the Wicked movie casting was announced, if someone would have asked me for my casting choices, I’d honestly only have one person picked. But, even then, I never felt a deep commitment to my lone fan-casting choice. I knew all the characters and the story going into the film, though, and I think every choice was outstanding. Ariana Grande delivers Glinda’s charisma and comedy effortlessly, and I loved the emotion and passion Cynthia Erivo brought to Elphaba. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is such a ridiculous (affectionate) flirt and takes the Winkie Prince charm to a whole new level. Also, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible? Spectacular. I was fully convinced that the fanfare she receives during her introductory scene was real because of how great she is.
Amanda W.: For the story of Wicked to truly work, we need a special, one-of-a-kind pair to play the two witches, and that is exactly what we got for this film. I never doubted Erivo’s Elphaba for a second, and not having seen much of Grande’s acting prior to this, I was blown away by her stellar performance as Glinda.
I actually was hoping for Fiyero to be played by a person of color to align with the book. But I’ve been a Jonathan Bailey fan for years, so I wasn’t complaining when that casting news was announced. Before the movie, I’d seen only one actor as Fiyero — whose portrayal I think is perfect — so I had high standards. But Bailey’s Fiyero is truly like no other. He didn’t copy and paste the character from the stage but still stayed true while making the role his own. I’ll stop now, because I could go write 1,000 more words about Fiyero and Jonathan Bailey.
Rachel: I think the casting of this film is one of the many highlights of the production. Erivo and Grande are such excellent singers and I already knew that, so I just enjoyed soaking in their performances. The singing talent of the other actors pleasantly surprised me a bit, and they were all well suited to their characters. I have to single out Jonathan Bailey for a second, too, because the fact that he can play Anthony Bridgerton and then turn around and be Fiyero is remarkable. I was tickled with how well Jeff Goldblum’s distinctive acting style fit with the Wizard, too.
Shelby: Everyone was incredibly cast — from the top of the call sheet to the bottom. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are so complementary in their voices and their talent and their passion for their roles and this project. It’s palpable in every frame. Jonathan Bailey is mesmerizing as Fiyero. I could write paragraphs about each cast member, honestly. As someone who has followed Ariana Grande’s career for nearly 15 (!) years and seen her love for this show in every era, it’s incredible to see her embody Glinda. I’m really happy for her and everyone involved; they’ve made something special.
What was your favorite song or musical number?
Ashley W.: This is an incredibly tough question, and my answer will probably change every time. “Dancing Through Life” is great, because I love a big dance number. But “What Is This Feeling?” is my current favorite. It encapsulates the animosity and hostility between Elphaba and Galinda in such a fun and energetic manner. What’s especially nice about the number in the movie is how the medium allows for a more expansive showcase of the women’s ongoing feud in a way the stage musical couldn’t. From the constant rearranging of Galinda’s belongings in their suite to their cafeteria staredown, their unadulterated loathing becomes an active thing that complements the song’s humorous nature.
Amanda W.: I love a good dance number, so I think I’ve got to go with “Dancing Through Life.” I mean, I already mentioned how much I love Fiyero and Jonathan Bailey, so this answer should be no surprise. From the music and choreography to the cinematography and all the behind-the-scenes work that was required to make that number work, it’s truly astonishing. It also includes some gymnastics, which I absolutely love! However, as an avid reader, bookworm and former library employee, it truly hurt to see the Winkie Prince step all over those books.
Rachel: This is probably a very boring answer if you’re a huge fan of the Broadway musical but I have to go with “Defying Gravity.” The combination of plot point and emotional beat that is represented in that song in this film feels gigantic to me. What a place to pause the story and make us wait for the rest of it! I also just personally love a belter, a song that someone who is blessed with singing talent like Erivo can just let loose, and “Defying Gravity” is that in the final section. And it wonderfully joins Erivo and Grande’s voices earlier in the song to demonstrate how far their characters have come, from being enemies to friends.
Shelby: I couldn’t possibly pick! It changes every single day, but I keep getting stuck on Cynthia Erivo’s take on “I’m Not That Girl.” I knew “Defying Gravity” would make me cry, but I couldn’t anticipate my reaction to “I’m Not That Girl.” It took my breath away. I still find myself brought to tears when I listen to the soundtrack, which has been on repeat since I watched the movie for the first time. Cynthia Erivo is just a master of her voice, and I love hearing it at work with those lyrics and that music. Beautiful!
Though friendship is front and center with Elphaba and Glinda, Wicked contains a lot of different themes that are especially relevant now. Which themes stood out most to you?
Ashley W.: Seeing female friendship as the focus of any story is important and incredibly impactful, because friendship has such an unmatched power. It’s one of the reasons I love Wicked so much. But the idea of truth versus perception has stuck with me since first watching Wicked: Part One and has occupied more of my headspace with each viewing. It’s such a nuanced theme in the movie and will only become more complex when the second part is released. Every major character has begun to (or soon will) grapple with how perceptions differ from their truth and how perceptions affect their truth and vice versa. Thinking about those intricacies is intriguing and maddening all at the same time.
Amanda W.: The friendship between Glinda and Elphaba always means so much to me when I watch any adaptation of Wicked, but for me, the movie in particular really highlighted the concept of good versus evil and explored the idea that hardly anything is black and white in a way that stood out more than on stage. Because we’re able to simply build everything and everyone out more on film than on stage, all of the little things that show that people are complex and not perfect stood out. (That’s not to say people can’t be mostly good or bad or villains or heroes, though.)
Rachel: I think the theme that I was most interested in as I watched this film was the oppression of the talking animals and the way people of authority were a part of that. One of the things I admired most about Elphaba was how she tried to fight against that oppression. She even has a chance to not be green anymore when she gets a wish from the Wizard. And instead, she chooses to ask him to help the animals. I am very interested to see what Part Two does with this theme.
Shelby: A timeless piece of art will hold relevance throughout time, and I knew that to be true of Wicked. Gregory Maguire’s book was published in 1995, and the Broadway show didn’t debut until 2003. In 2024, Wicked‘s themes of friendship, corrupted power and oppression are still relevant. It just shows that this story’s importance will only mean something new to every audience, as it has across the page, stage and screens of the last 29 years.
Wicked is only the first half of Elphaba and Glinda’s story, which not everyone knew or realized going into it. How did you feel about the pacing of this first film, and do you agree with the decision to split the story in two?
Ashley W.: I honestly was initially skeptical about splitting the Wicked movie into two parts. A lot of that probably had to do with my love for the stage musical and my own impatience. But, without the second part even being out yet, splitting the story in two was undoubtedly the right choice. Because while still a musical, it’s primarily a movie. The cinematic experience needs more time and attention than a theatrical experience to do justice to the medium. The run time for Wicked: Part One is rather long but still works well. Nothing feels rushed because every moment has the time it deserves, and hopefully this means the same for Wicked: Part Two, where more background needs to be covered. The musical numbers also got to be bigger and more fleshed out as well, which just made for a fun time!
Amanda W.: Like many fans of the Broadway musical, I wasn’t a fan of the decision. I didn’t understand it, nor did I want to wait so long to get the entire story. But it was without a doubt the right choice. Now that I’ve seen the Wicked movie three times, I don’t see how they could have not split it in two without making choices that would either hurt the story overall or losing viewers’ attention. If they made one really long movie, it would inevitably drag. If they made Wicked into one movie that’s 2-3 hours long, we miss a lot of opportunities in storytelling that make it worth adapting into film.
Rachel: I felt the pacing of Wicked: Part One was quite good, not too fast or slow. At least most of the time. I didn’t feel like there was too much filler or not enough information for a coherent story. I was surprised at how long this film was but I do think there is enough story for two films, so I think the decision to do that was probably a good one. But of course, we can only know that after we see Part Two!
Shelby: I’m apprehensive of longer runtimes, and Wicked‘s is certainly long. This first part runs for as long as the entire stage of production. That made me weary heading into the movie theater. Honestly, it flew by! I wanted to grab tickets to another showing as soon as I walked out. The movie never lagged. If Jon M. Chu had decided to release a 4.5-hour version with both parts combined, I would gladly watch that cut. So, I don’t mind that it’s two parts. It works!
What are you most looking forward to or curious about for Wicked: Part Two, coming November 2025?
Ashley W.: I’m most looking forward to seeing what’s new in Wicked: Part Two. This second film has a lot to live up to in matching the greatness of the first movie, but it also has more work to do with telling a fuller story with more well-developed characters. The stage musical’s second act is easily the weaker of the two and what remains to be covered in the movie. So the second part needs to expand the narrative and fill act two’s gaps. This is where more unknowns come into play—even for those familiar with the Broadway show. Because act two leaves so much room for background and further context for many characters and side stories.
Amanda W.: I’m most looking forward to the music. Wicked: Part Two will have two new songs, so I’m curious and eager to know what those will be and how they’ll play into the story. I think act two of the musical has better music than act one. I needed Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey’s “As Long As You’re Mine” two weeks ago but also need the entire year to prepare. And “For Good”? If you didn’t bring tissues to watch the first movie, don’t make that mistake again!
Rachel: Like Amanda, I am very curious about the original songs coming in Wicked: Part Two. What will they be and who will sing them? Also, any and all references to the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz are things I will eat up as a film buff, so bring them on! Just in general, I am looking forward to seeing the actors be great and all the eye-popping production values, too.
Shelby: The first two things that come to mind are Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s “For Good” and Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey’s “As Long as You’re Mine.” But then I thought about Ariana Grande’s “No Good Deed.” Clearly, I’m excited for all of it. I’m excited to see every bit of dedication and love and hard work that went into making Wicked: Part Two, just as I was with Wicked: Part One. Is it November 2025 yet?
What have you enjoyed most about Wicked? Share with us in the comments!
Wicked is now in theaters, and tickets for sing-along showings, beginning Christmas day, are now on sale.
