The Untold Story Of Oz: 7 Shocking Changes & Box Office Secrets Behind The 'Wicked' Movie Saga

The cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway phenomenon, Wicked, has finally completed its two-part journey, captivating audiences worldwide and redefining the modern movie musical. As of late December 2025, the focus has shifted entirely to the monumental success of the second installment, Wicked: For Good (also known as Wicked: Part Two), which has just concluded a record-breaking opening that solidifies the franchise as one of Universal Pictures' most valuable properties. The full saga, helmed by director Jon M. Chu, has gone beyond a simple stage-to-screen transfer, introducing new songs, expanding character backstories, and delivering a visual spectacle that has earned both critical acclaim and a staggering global box office haul, proving that the untold story of the Witches of Oz is more relevant—and lucrative—than ever.

The decision to split the narrative of Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland into two distinct films—Wicked: Part One (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025)—allowed the filmmakers to delve deeper into the intricate political landscape of Oz and the complex friendship between the two legendary witches. This detailed approach has not only satisfied long-time fans of the Stephen Schwartz musical but has also successfully introduced the world of the Wicked Witch of the West to a new generation of moviegoers, ensuring the legacy of the story continues to fly high.

The Main Players: Full Biography & Cast Profile

The success of the Wicked movie saga rests on the shoulders of its powerhouse lead cast and visionary director. The chemistry between the two stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, has been a central point of discussion and praise, bringing a fresh yet faithful interpretation to the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp

• Role in Wicked: Elphaba Thropp (The future Wicked Witch of the West).
• Nationality: British.
• Born: January 8, 1987 (London, England).
• Career Highlights: Erivo is an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, just one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status. She won the Tony for her performance as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. Her film work includes roles in Harriet (earning two Academy Award nominations) and Bad Times at the El Royale. Her portrayal of Elphaba is lauded for its vocal power and dramatic depth, capturing the character's journey from misunderstood outcast to revolutionary figure.

Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland

• Role in Wicked: Glinda Upland (The future Glinda the Good).
• Nationality: American.
• Born: June 26, 1993 (Boca Raton, Florida).
• Career Highlights: One of the world's best-selling music artists, Grande is a Grammy winner known for her extensive vocal range. She began her career on Broadway in the musical 13 and later starred in the Nickelodeon series Victorious. Her casting as Glinda, a role she has long publicly expressed a desire to play, marks a major return to her musical theater roots and has been praised for its blend of comedic timing and emotional vulnerability.

Jon M. Chu (Director)

• Role in Wicked: Director.
• Nationality: American.
• Born: November 2, 1979 (Palo Alto, California).
• Career Highlights: Chu is celebrated for directing vibrant, culturally significant films, including the global smash hit Crazy Rich Asians and the critically acclaimed musical adaptation In the Heights. His visual flair and ability to handle large-scale musical numbers made him the ideal choice to bring the epic scope of Wicked to the big screen for Universal Pictures.

The Full Cast of Ozians: Key Supporting Entities

The world of Oz is populated by a stellar ensemble cast, all of whom play pivotal roles in Elphaba and Glinda’s destiny. The inclusion of these acclaimed actors adds significant weight and topical authority to the two-part film. The full list of main cast members and their characters includes:

• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, the love interest who complicates the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda.
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the seemingly benevolent ruler of the Emerald City.
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the manipulative headmistress of Shiz University.
• Ethan Slater as Boq, a Munchkin who is infatuated with Glinda.
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Elphaba's sister (the future Wicked Witch of the East).
• Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond, a sentient Goat Professor at Shiz University.
• Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Pfannee and ShenShen, two of Glinda's school friends.

Box Office Domination and Critical Reception of the Saga

The two Wicked movies have proven to be a financial phenomenon, demonstrating the enduring commercial power of the source material and the star power of its leads. The high production value, with a reported combined budget of approximately $320 million ($160 million per film), was a substantial investment that has paid off handsomely.

Wicked: Part One (2024) set the stage with a massive global gross, ultimately pulling in an estimated $759 million worldwide on its $150 million budget. This cemented its status as the highest-grossing Oz film and a major success for the musical film genre. The film’s success was attributed to its spectacular visuals and the emotional core of Elphaba and Glinda's early friendship.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

The sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025), which premiered in late November, has continued this trend, opening to an estimated $150 million in its first domestic weekend alone, a record for a Broadway musical adaptation. Critical reception has been strong, with For Good notching a healthy score on Rotten Tomatoes, though some critics noted the inherent pacing challenges in adapting the second half of the stage musical. Nevertheless, audience scores remain exceptionally high, praising the climactic performances of "No Good Deed" and "For Good."

7 Major Differences Between the Movie and the Beloved Stage Musical

Director Jon M. Chu and screenwriter Winnie Holzman (who also wrote the book for the original musical) made several intentional changes to the source material to better suit the cinematic medium and expand the topical authority of the world of Oz. These differences offer a fresh viewing experience even for the most devoted Ozians:

1. The Introduction of New Original Songs: The most significant change is the inclusion of at least two new songs written by the original musical's composer, Stephen Schwartz. The first, "No Place Like Home," is an original song performed by Elphaba in the first half of the saga, expanding on her feelings of displacement and her discovery of the Animals fleeing Oz.
2. Dr. Dillamond's Expanded Role: The beloved Goat Professor, Dr. Dillamond, has a more prominent role in the film. While in the musical he is isolated, the movie depicts him meeting with a secret group of Animals who are being persecuted by The Wizard's regime, adding political depth.
3. The Extended Runtime and Pacing: By splitting the musical into two parts, the movie saga is roughly double the length of the original stage show, allowing for scenes and moments that were only hinted at on stage to be fully realized and lengthened on screen.
4. Dorothy's Presence: While Dorothy Gale is a background figure in the musical, she is reportedly seen more in the movie, though still from a distance, reinforcing the narrative's connection to the events of The Wizard of Oz.
5. The Exclusion of the Fiyero/Glinda Wedding: The stage musical features a scene where Fiyero and Glinda are set to be married, which is completely absent from the film adaptation, streamlining the romantic subplot and focusing more intensely on the Elphaba-Glinda-Fiyero love triangle.
6. The Wizard's Character Development: Jeff Goldblum's portrayal of The Wizard of Oz is given more screen time, particularly in Part One, allowing the film to build a more complex and morally ambiguous character before his true nature is revealed in For Good.
7. A New Opening Sequence: The movie’s opening sequence, "No One Mourns the Wicked," is filmed with a grander, more cinematic scope, immediately establishing the vibrant, yet corrupt, world of Oz and the public's perception of the Wicked Witch.

The Iconic Soundtrack: Key Songs in the Two-Part Film

The heart of the Wicked saga remains its phenomenal score by Stephen Schwartz. Both films feature faithful and powerful renditions of the classic songs, with Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of "Defying Gravity" in Part One and her emotional "No Good Deed" in Part Two being particular highlights. The soundtrack is a masterclass in musical storytelling, using LSI keywords like:

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

• "No One Mourns the Wicked" (Opening number).
• "Dear Old Shiz" (The introduction to Shiz University).
• "The Wizard and I" (Elphaba's dream of meeting the Wizard).
• "What Is This Feeling?" (Elphaba and Glinda's antagonistic friendship).
• "Dancing Through Life" (Fiyero's introduction).
• "Popular" (Glinda's most famous song).
• "Defying Gravity" (The Act One climax of Part One).
• "Thank Goodness" (Glinda's reflection, opening Part Two).
• "As Long as You're Mine" (The romantic duet).
• "No Good Deed" (Elphaba's major solo in Part Two).
• "For Good" (The emotional farewell and climax of Wicked: For Good).

The two-part Wicked cinematic experience, from the vibrant greens of Elphaba's skin to the sparkling pinks of Glinda's gown, has successfully translated the magic of the stage to the scale of the silver screen. With Wicked: For Good's triumphant release, the full story of the two witches, their deep friendship, and their journey to becoming the icons of Oz is now complete, securing the franchise's place in movie musical history.