The Emerald City Revealed: Who Is In The Wizard Of Oz Cast In The Blockbuster Year Of 2024?

The land of Oz is experiencing a monumental renaissance in 2024, with the iconic story of Dorothy Gale and her companions expanding across major film and stage productions. While the classic 1939 film cast remains legendary, the focus for the current year is overwhelmingly on the two-part film adaptation of the beloved prequel musical, Wicked, which is set to redefine the cinematic landscape of the Emerald City.

This article provides the most up-to-date and complete breakdown of the major actors and performers who are bringing L. Frank Baum’s world to life in 2024, including the star-studded cast of the highly anticipated Wicked movie and the celebrated performers of the major West End stage production of The Wizard of Oz. The sheer star power involved guarantees that this year will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of Oz adaptations.

The Star-Powered Cast of the 2024 Blockbuster Film, Wicked

The biggest event in the Oz universe for 2024 is undoubtedly the release of Wicked: Part One, the first installment of the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film acts as a prequel to the classic story, detailing the unlikely friendship between Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch).

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The cast features a mix of powerhouse vocalists, seasoned actors, and Oscar winners, ensuring a global draw. The film is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024.

Key Cast Member Biographies (Wicked: Part One)

• Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba Thropp):
  • Born: January 8, 1987, Stockwell, South London, England.
  • Career Highlights: Erivo is a critically acclaimed actress and singer, known for her powerful stage presence. She is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winner, only one Oscar away from achieving the coveted E.G.O.T. status. Her breakout role was playing Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. She received two Academy Award nominations for the film Harriet (2019).
• Ariana Grande (Glinda Upland):
  • Born: June 26, 1993, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
  • Career Highlights: Grande is one of the world's most successful pop music artists, with numerous chart-topping hits and Grammy Awards. Her career began in acting, starring in the Broadway musical 13 (2008) and gaining prominence as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious. Her role as Glinda marks a major return to her musical theater roots.
• Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard of Oz):
  • Born: October 22, 1952, West Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Career Highlights: A veteran actor known for his unique, improvisational style. He is famous for iconic roles in blockbuster franchises like Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park (1993) and David Levinson in Independence Day (1996). He has also been a frequent collaborator with director Wes Anderson.
• Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible):
  • Born: August 6, 1962, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
  • Career Highlights: Yeoh is a global icon, celebrated for her martial arts films and dramatic roles. In 2023, she made history by becoming the first Asian performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Her filmography includes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

The Complete Supporting Cast of Wicked: Part One

The depth of talent in the Wicked film extends far beyond the four main leads, filling the world of Oz with a rich ensemble of characters central to Elphaba and Glinda's journey. These actors represent a mix of Broadway veterans and rising stars, ensuring the musical's transition to the screen is seamless and powerful.

• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar: Known for his role in the Netflix series Bridgerton, Bailey takes on the role of the love interest caught between Elphaba and Glinda.
• Ethan Slater as Boq: A Tony-nominated Broadway actor known for his role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose: Bode, who uses a wheelchair, is cast as Elphaba’s sister, a role that is also traditionally played by an actress who uses a wheelchair on stage.
• Bowen Yang as Pfannee: A comedian and actor best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
• Bronwyn James as ShenShen: Known for her roles in British television.
• Keala Settle as Miss Coddle: A celebrated stage actress and singer, best known for her role in The Greatest Showman.

The West End Stage Cast: A Different Journey Down the Yellow Brick Road

While the Wicked film dominates the cinematic conversation, the classic story of The Wizard of Oz is simultaneously being performed on a major stage in London. The production, which ran in the West End, features a unique and diverse cast, including major stars from the world of British television and reality competition, adding a fresh twist to the familiar characters.

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This production is a separate entity from the Wicked film, focusing on Dorothy's traditional journey from Kansas to the Emerald City, complete with the beloved Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.

Notable West End Cast Members (The Wizard of Oz 2024)

• The Vivienne (The Wicked Witch of the West):
  • Role: The iconic villain, The Wicked Witch of the West.
  • Background: The Vivienne (James Lee Williams) is a Welsh drag queen, actor, and singer. She rose to international fame as the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Her casting brings a modern, theatrical flair to the classic antagonist.
• Aston Merrygold (The Tin Man):
  • Role: Hickory/The Tin Man.
  • Background: Merrygold is best known as a member of the British boy band JLS, which achieved massive success after finishing as runners-up on The X Factor. JLS sold over 10 million records and had multiple number-one singles, giving Merrygold a strong musical background for the role.
• Aviva Tulley (Dorothy Gale):
  • Role: The protagonist, Dorothy Gale.
  • Background: Tulley is a stage actress known for her previous work in The Book of Mormon, bringing a strong theatrical pedigree to the lead role.

The Future of Oz: The Upcoming Movie Remake

Beyond the major 2024 releases, the Oz universe is set for further expansion. New Line Cinema is developing a new, modern adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s original book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

This project is distinct from both the 1939 classic and the Wicked film series. It is being directed by Kenya Barris, the creator of the hit television series Black-ish. Barris's involvement suggests the remake will be a contemporary reimagining, though creative details are being kept under wraps. Crucially, as of the current date, no cast members have been announced for this new Wizard of Oz film. This project is likely to be a major casting story in the years following the Wicked film's release, but for 2024, the focus remains on Elphaba and Glinda’s story.

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Topical Authority: Why So Many Oz Adaptations Now?

The sheer volume of high-profile Oz-related projects in 2024—the massive Wicked film, the successful West End stage show, and the development of a new movie remake—is not a coincidence. It is a testament to the enduring power and topical authority of the source material.

The original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book, published in 1900, is one of the most culturally significant pieces of American literature, and the 1939 film adaptation is a timeless classic. The musical Wicked, which debuted in 2003, gave the franchise a modern, politically relevant twist by exploring themes of prejudice, female friendship, and history being written by the victors. The 2024 film adaptation capitalizes on this massive, built-in audience, promising a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant cinematic event.

The decision to cast a diverse, globally recognized group of actors—from the powerful vocals of Cynthia Erivo to the international star power of Michelle Yeoh—ensures that the story of Oz resonates with a contemporary, worldwide audience. The casting choices for Wicked, in particular, reflect a commitment to both vocal talent and star appeal, positioning the film as one of the year’s biggest box office draws and solidifying the franchise’s status as a perpetual source of entertainment and cultural commentary.