Title: Wicked: Part One (Subtitle: For Good)
Based On: The Broadway musical “Wicked” by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which is itself based on the 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire.
Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Drama
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Director: Jon M. Chu (known for In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians)
Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz (the original composer/lyricist)

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1. Introduction: The Story Before the Story

“Wicked: For Good” is not just another musical adaptation; it is the long-awaited cinematic telling of the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The film recontextualizes the world of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, answering the questions: Who was the Wicked Witch of the West really? And what was the nature of her legendary feud with Glinda the Good?

The subtitle, “For Good,” is profoundly significant. It is the title of the musical’s climactic and most emotional ballad, sung by the two witches as they say goodbye. This perfectly sets the stage for a story about friendship, legacy, and how people are perceived “for good” or for wicked.

2. The Plot: A Story of an Unlikely Friendship

The narrative follows Elphaba Thropp, a smart, fiery, and misunderstood young woman born with emerald-green skin. She has been an outcast her entire life. Upon arriving at Shiz University, she is roomed with Glinda Upland, a popular, ambitious, and initially shallow blonde.

The story is structured in three main acts:

Act I: The Meeting at Shiz

• The film opens with the iconic question, “Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?”
• We see Elphaba struggling with her father’s favoritism towards her wheelchair-bound sister, Nessarose, and the prejudice she faces due to her skin color.
• Glinda, initially dismissive and cruel, is tasked with mentoring Elphaba. Their relationship begins with animosity but slowly evolves into an unlikely, powerful friendship.
• Key musical numbers in this section establish their dynamic: “What Is This Feeling?” (which sarcastically describes “loathing”), “Dancing Through Life,” and the transformative “Defying Gravity” moment where Elphaba discovers her immense magical potential and decides to stand up for what she believes in—specifically, the mistreatment of the talking Animals in Oz.

Act II: The Journey to the Emerald City

• Elphaba and Glinda travel to the Emerald City to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Elphaba hopes he can use his power to help her fight injustice and perhaps even remove her green skin.
• They discover the Wizard is a humbug, a ordinary man from Kansas who rules through propaganda and fear. He offers Elphaba a place at his side, but only if she uses her magic for his corrupt schemes.
• This leads to the film’s central turning point. Elphaba refuses, and in a moment of protest, she is branded a “wicked witch” by the Wizard’s powerful press machine. A public relations war begins, with Glinda positioned as the “good witch.”
• Their friendship is fractured as their ideologies and public personas pull them in opposite directions.

Act III: The Rise of the Witches

• The film will cover Elphaba’s retreat to the Wicked Witch’s castle and her continued fight for the oppressed.
• It will delve into the love triangle involving Fiyero Tigelaar, a handsome prince who transforms from a shallow aristocrat into a man who sees the true goodness in Elphaba.
• The film is expected to conclude at a major cliffhanger, most likely with Elphaba’s apparent “melting” after Dorothy throws a bucket of water on her, and the fate of Fiyero (who is transformed into the Scarecrow) left unresolved, to be continued in Part Two.

3. Cast and Characters

• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West): A two-time Academy Award nominee, Erivo brings a powerful singing voice and dramatic depth to the role of the misunderstood green girl.
• Ariana Grande as Glinda (The Good Witch): A global pop superstar with extensive musical theater roots, Grande portrays the complex evolution of Glinda from a shallow socialite to a thoughtful leader.
• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero: Known for Bridgerton, Bailey plays the charming love interest whose worldview is changed by Elphaba.
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible: The formidable headmistress of Shiz University who has her own political ambitions.
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard: A perfect casting choice for the charismatic but morally ambiguous ruler of Oz.
• Ethan Slater as Boq: A Munchkin student at Shiz who harbors an unrequited love for Glinda.

4. Production Vision and Music

• Director Jon M. Chu’s Vision: After his success with the vibrant and community-focused In the Heights, Chu is determined to honor the stage musical while making it a cinematic event. He has promised practical sets, immense scale, and a deep emotional core. The goal is to make Oz feel both fantastical and tangible.
• The Music: The entire iconic score by Stephen Schwartz will be featured, including show-stoppers like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.” New songs have been written by Schwartz specifically for the film to expand on the characters and story.
• A Two-Part Epic: The decision to split the story into two films allows for a much deeper exploration of Gregory Maguire’s novel and the musical’s characters. “For Good” will not feel like half a story, but a complete narrative arc about the rise and fall of a friendship, setting the stage for the conclusion in Part Two.

5. Anticipation and Cultural Impact

The anticipation for “Wicked: For Good” is monumental. The stage musical has been a global phenomenon for over 20 years, creating a massive, dedicated fanbase. This film adaptation represents the definitive cinematic version of that story.

It promises to be:

• A Visual Spectacle: The world of Oz will be brought to life with modern VFX and grand production design.
• An Emotional Journey: At its heart, it’s a story about friendship, identity, prejudice, and the complexities of good and evil.
• A Musical Event: The combination of Erivo’s and Grande’s vocal talents is expected to be historic.

In summary, “Wicked: For Good” is not merely a movie; it is the first half of a cinematic event decades in the making. It aims to redefine a classic tale for a new generation, offering a behind-the-curtain look at the land of Oz and celebrating the power of a friendship that was truly changed “for good.”

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