Wicked debuted on Broadway in 2003, and more than 20 years later, it’s getting the Hollywood treatment.
The Wicked film, which hit theaters on Nov. 22, sees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande take on the beloved characters of Elphaba and Glinda, roles which were originated by Tony-winning actresses Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on stage.
Jon M. Chu is the first director to adapt the original Tony award-winning musical for the big screen, and he’s already received the stamp of approval from the show’s original stars. “The story is so wonderful, and Cynthia and Ariana are amazing. The whole cast is amazing,” Chenoweth said on Instagram after watching an October 2024 screening of the film. “Jon Chu nailed it. I was so moved, emotional, happy, filled with joy. Please everybody go see Wicked, you’ll be blessed.”
However, according to Erivo, the movie is slightly different from the original production. To tell the story in its full capacity, the movie will also be released in two parts, with the second installment premiering in 2025.
“I think we’re going to enjoy the magic of it,” she told Entertainment Tonight ahead of filming the 2022. “We’re going to try and put our own spin on what we know already and show you a story about two women [who] are sisters.”
Ready to witness that spin in action? Here’s a look at the original Wicked Broadway company side-by-side with the film’s new stars.
Elphaba: Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo
Idina Menzel won a Tony award for her 2003 role as Elphaba in Wicked — just one of five Broadway shows she’s performed in to date. The actress and singer made her on-stage debut in the original 1996 cast of Rent and reprised her role in the 2005 film adaptation. Menzel is also known for voicing Elsa in Disney’s animated film Frozen.
Like the original Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo got her start on Broadway and won a 2016 Tony award for her role as Celie in The Color Purple. The English actress is also known for her on-screen work in projects like Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale and Harriet, for which she was nominated for two Oscars.
Glinda: Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande
Kristin Chenoweth originally played Glinda in the 2003 Broadway production. Her performance earned her a 2004 Tony nomination for best leading actress in a musical, though her costar Menzel won the award. The Emmy-winning actress went on to star in series like Pushing Daisies, The West Wing and Glee.
Ariana Grande told Amazon Music’s Zach Sang Show that she’s wanted the chance to play Glinda since she was 20. The pop singer and former Nickelodeon star called Chenoweth crying when she learned she had landed the audition. Since rising to fame on the show Victorious, Grande has become a Grammy-winning artist, having earned 18 nominations and two awards.
Fiyero: Norbert Leo Butz and Jonathan Bailey
Norbert Leo Butz originated the role of Fiyero, Elphaba and Glinda’s love interest, in the 2003 musical. The two-time Tony winner is known for his Broadway performances in Catch Me If You Can and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He’s also made on-screen appearances in films like Dan in Real Life and series like American Sports Story, where he played former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero in the 2024 film. He’s best known for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series and starring in shows like Heartstopper and Fellow Travelers. Bailey also has an upcoming role in Jurassic World Rebirth — a franchise his Wicked costar Jeff Goldblum is famously known for.
The Wizard: Joel Grey and Jeff Goldblum
Joel Grey was the original Wizard of Oz in the 2003 production of Wicked. The long-time Broadway legend and Oscar winner is known for his role in Cabaret on the stage and in the 1972 film adaptation. Grey has also appeared in TV series like Alias, Nurse Jackie and The Old Man.
Jeff Goldblum plays the Wizard in the two-part film adaptation, even though accepting the part required him to face his childhood fear of witches. The actor and musician has been in classic films like Jurassic Park and Independence Day as well as shows like Portlandia, Will & Grace and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Dr. Dillamond: William Youmans and Peter Dinklage
William Youmans played Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor who befriends Elphaba, in the original Broadway cast. He told Playbill in 2023 that though he had performed supporting roles in Big River and Titanic, Wicked was his first “principal role in the original cast of a Broadway show.”
Peter Dinklage voices the animal history professor in the film adaptation. The actor is best known for his role on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, which won him a record-breaking four Primetime Emmy awards for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, per Variety.
Nessarose: Michelle Federer and Marissa Bode
Michelle Federer portrayed Nessarose, Elphaba’s younger sister who uses a wheelchair due to a physical disability she’s had since birth, in the original Broadway show. In addition to her stage work, she’s also appeared in TV series like Smash, Elementary and New Amsterdam. In real life, the actress is married to her Wicked costar Butz.
Marissa Bode makes her film debut as Nessarose in Wicked — and according to Today, she’s the first actor to play the role who uses a wheelchair in real-life. Prior to the film, she appeared in a few local Los Angeles productions and a film short titled No Roles Written.
Madame Morrible: Carole Shelley and Michelle Yeoh
Carole Shelley played Madame Morrible in the original Wicked production. The Tony-winning actress is best known for her performance both on stage and in the TV series adaptation of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. She died of cancer in 2018, according to The New York Times.
Michelle Yeoh portrays the headmistress in the 2024 Wicked adaptation. The actress has starred in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies and Everything Everywhere All At Once, which earned her an Academy Award. Yeoh also worked with Chu on the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians.
Boq: Christopher Fitzgerald and Ethan Slater
Christopher Fitzgerald originated the role of Boq, Nessarose’s love interest, in the 2003 show. In addition to Wicked, the actor and singer has performed on-stage in Young Frankenstein and Waitress, the Sara Bareilles-composed musical. He’s also appeared on TV series like Godless, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and American Horror Stories.
Ethan Slater plays Boq in the Wicked film — a role he auditioned for on Broadway years ago. He’s best known for his Tony-nominated performance in the musical adaptation of the Nickelodeon show Spongebob Squarepants. The actor and singer has been dating his Wicked costar, Grande, since 2023.
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