The musical does not have the best reputation in this country. In Germany you go to the opera, yes, that's high culture. If you're really crazy about it, maybe go to an operetta. But musicals? Many people believe that this is commerce, not art. As a consequence of this bad image, the quality of German musical productions often leaves a lot to be desired and the audience is not expected to do much. A vicious circle.
Not so in the USA, where the level is significantly higher. Perhaps people in Germany are so skeptical about the musical because it is a truly American art form and often corresponds to the US cliché: bombastic, enthusiastic, not very subtle. Either you get completely involved in it or you leave it alone.
This definitely applies to Jon M. Chu's monumental musical film adaptation “Wicked”. Its imagery is fantastic and calm, it is populated by talking animals and witches, and every two minutes someone starts singing. You can find all of that (there are flying monkeys too!), but if you just leave your inner high culture snob at home, you quickly realize: “Wicked” is magical.
“Wicked” is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz
The history of the film spans more than 100 years: In 1900, the children's book “The Wizard of Oz” by Lyman Frank Baum was published, whose screen adaptation 39 years later captured the hearts of children and adults and became one of the greatest Hollywood classics of all time. Victor Fleming's Technicolor musical spectacle tells the story of Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, who is transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado. There she meets, among other things, the good witch Glinda and in the end – spoiler alert – she kills the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West for unknown reasons.
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“Wicked,” the musical based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, begins here. The story is a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” and tells the tale of suffering of the Wicked Witch of the West, who, as it turns out, is not so evil after all. And who had a close friendship with Glinda, the good witch, who wasn't always so good herself. Music and lyrics come from Stephen Schwartz, songs like “Popular” and the power ballad “Defying Gravity” have long since become hits.
“Wicked” premiered on Broadway in 2003 and is still running there, as the second most successful musical of all time – only “The Lion King” has grossed more. It has a passionate fanbase comparable in intensity (if not quantity) to the Swifties or Marvel Comics Ultras.
One musical became two films
The pressure for Jon M. Chu couldn't be greater. The director has already shown in films like “Crazy Rich Asians” or “In the Heights” that he can stage elaborate dance and musical scenes. But “Wicked” is a different beast: Universal is said to have pumped $150 million into the project.
There was a lot of skepticism in advance, for example in view of Chu's decision to make two films from the musical – part two will be released in November 2025. With a running time of two hours and 40 minutes, the first part is already longer than the entire musical. Not everyone liked the casting of Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda: won't her pop star image overshadow the character? Can she even act?
Ultimately, all worries were unfounded. “Wicked” delivers on all channels and not only does justice to the musical original, but also works without knowledge of the Broadway original.
© Universal Studios
The plot remains closely based on that of the musical, the script was written by Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman – the latter also wrote the script for the stage show. It starts with a party. The people of Oz celebrate that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead. Glinda told them the good news. But why does evil actually exist, she is asked by one of her followers. “That’s a good question,” she replies. “Are people evil from birth?” Or is evil instilled in them?”
This brings us to the central message of “Wicked”: Nobody is all good or all bad. Often external circumstances or propaganda make you what you are, a villain or a heroine.
© Universal Studios
In a flashback, Glinda tells how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the true name of the “Wicked Witch,” was turned evil. Because of her green skin color, she was discriminated against from birth and rejected by her father; she is raised by a talking bear. She is also touchingly concerned about her little sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who is in a wheelchair.
An unusual friendship develops
At Glizz University, magic professor Madame Akaber (Michelle Yeoh) becomes aware of Elphaba's magical abilities and takes care of the outsider. She doesn't even get along with her roommate, the popular Galinda, who later calls herself Glinda. But then the two different women begin to get closer and become friends.
At the same time, both develop feelings for Prince Fiyero, played by a charming Jonathan Bailey. In the grand finale, they travel together to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), whom Elphaba has admired from afar all her life.
© Universal Studios
The biggest change to the musical is a greater focus on discrimination against the talking animals that populate Oz. Dark forces want to silence the animals and put them in cages; they are blamed for all the problems in Oz.
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Director Jon M. Chu had millions of tulips planted on the set of “Wicked.”
Professor Dr. Dillamond, a cute CGI goat, originally voiced by Peter Dinklage, has his teaching license revoked. Elphaba, herself an outcast, advocates for the rights of animals, which later proved to be a disadvantage for her. The storyline draws parallels to the emerging fascism in Nazi Germany – and has become more topical in the USA after Trump's election victory.
A mix of Hogwarts and Barbie dream house
The rest of the first Wicked film is mostly world building. You won't get bored though, because the world created here looks breathtaking. Chu used the enormous budget to have huge sets built and had nine million tulips specially planted. The Glizz University turns out to be a mixture of Hogwarts and the Barbie dream house, the Emerald City sparkles green, the Oscars for best production design and best costumes are virtually certain for “Wicked”. It's all a bit over the top, but also great.
Another Oscar contender: Ariana Grande, who as Glinda silences all skeptics. She plays this role with full physical effort, taking up and subverting every cliché of the stupid blonde. A mixture of Regina George and Elle Woods, always dressed in pink and surrounded by an army of followers, she not only proves that she has an outstanding voice, but also great comedic talent.
© Universal Studios
Cynthia Erivo is also Elphaba, the heart of the film. The Brit has already won a Tony Award as Celie in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Harriet Tubman. Erivo manages to bring new nuances to the role, bringing her experiences as a black, queer woman. Her Elphaba wears micro braids, a traditional black hair style.
© Universal Studios
The fact that these roles are dreams come true for Erivo and Grande is evident in their many interviews together, some of which have already become memes. The stars there regularly burst into tears, hold hands and swear eternal love and gratitude. So much holy seriousness, so much pathos, you'll be tempted to roll your eyes. But you can tell in their performances how much heart there is. The “theater kids” love it. Being a musical fan and being cool don't go hand in hand.
Still, “Wicked” isn’t quite perfect. Jon M. Chu and cinematographer Alice Brooks, with whom he worked on “In the Heights,” used lots of natural light to make Oz seem like a real place. With the result of a lack of contrast and a strangely washed out color scheme. Despite the enormous length, all of the characters remain fairly one-dimensional, with the exception of Elphaba and Glinda.
Nevertheless, “Wicked” is the right film in times of populist blame and simpler narratives. It has already become a pop culture phenomenon in the USA, with fans dressing up in green and pink and debating whether or not they can sing along in the cinema. The hype is reminiscent of a “Barbie” or Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour. Here and there, people come together and indulge in the big emotions and the sheer spectacle for almost three hours. Anyone who is “too cool for school” has missed something.
