If you’ve been a long time fan of the Wicked story, either in book or on the stage, you are no doubt waiting impatiently for Wicked: For Good to hit the big screen this weekend. The second half of the story, thankfully filmed in tandem with the last year’s Wicked release brings Act II of the musical to the screen. While the story takes some some creative licensing when it comes to the written work of Maguire, it does bring in some nods from the book series that fans are going to love.
Much like the Broadway version of Wicked, Wicked and Wicked: For Good could be described as cousins of the original book series. They tell the story of Glinda and Elphaba but are changed in ways that make sense for their platform. Broadway sanitized a lot of the more adult themes that are found in the novels, and now the movies have brought back more story elements and nods to the L. Frank Baum books and the countless other books and series that took the world of Baum created and added onto it. It’s not exact, there is creative changes but the result, is still no less magical.
The friendship between Elphaba and Glinda is probably one of the most compelling parts of any version of Wicked, and the battle between just what is good and wicked in both of them. And Act II of the musical, or Wicked: For Good in this case, is showcasing just that. As Elphaba continues her fight for justice and to protect all of the citizens of Oz, no matter if they’re Munchkins or Animals, Glinda is trying to stay on the good side of the Wizard so she can get her happy ending. But not everything is as it seems for either, and their friendship keeps pulling them back together.
Since the original Wicked musical length is just under three hours, the fact the story was broken up into two movies that together are about five hours seems a bit extreme at times. Yes there are added scenes for context and there are added songs to help with the run time of Wicked: For Good. The newer songs may be some of the harder sells for fans of the musical, they don’t necessarily add to the story as much as you would hope. But they do seem to fit. If this is your only introduction to the world of Wicked (besides of the Wizard of Oz of course), the newer additions wont be as much of a distraction to you enjoying the new film.
There is no doubt that both Wicked and Wicked: For Good create a beautiful and magical world for fans to enjoy themselves in. With sweeping landscapes, beautiful costumes, musical numbers that will get stuck in your head and so much back story that will make sure you never watch The Wizard of Oz the same again, Wicked: For Good will have you falling in love with the characters in ways you didn’t expect before.
It also seems there is a bit more of an integration of the novels version of spaces like Glinda’s home design and Elphaba’s castle that are utilized a bit more this time around. Does this mean that fans of the books can be hopeful that the sequels may some day see screen time? Only time will tell for that, but until then we have new ways to visit Oz and the characters that have captured our hearts for decades now.
Wicked: For Good is in theaters everywhere this Friday.
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About Wicked: For Good
And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend …
Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good.
Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M. Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast, led by Academy Award® nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.
As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
Wicked: For Good also stars Emmy nominee Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Glinda’s fawning assistants, Pfannee and ShenShen and BAFTA and Grammy nominee Sharon D. Clarke (Caroline, or Change) as the voice of Elphaba’s childhood nanny, Dulcibear.
The film is produced by returning Tony and Emmy winning powerhouse Marc Platt p.g.a. and by multiple Tony winner David Stone. The executive producers are Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. The first film, Wicked, released in November 2024, earned 10 Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscars® for Costume Design and Production Design. To date, the film has grossed $750 million worldwide.
Wicked: For Good is based on the generation-defining musical stage play with music and lyrics by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, from the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. The screenplay is by Winnie Holzman and Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox. The film score is by John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.