Additional Coverage:
- 11 details and easter eggs in ‘Wicked: For Good’ you may have missed, from musical cues to subtle ‘Wizard of Oz’ nods (businessinsider.com)
“Wicked: For Good” Soars into Theaters, Packed with Subtle Nods to Oz Lore
Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good” has enchanted audiences worldwide, raking in a dazzling $226 million during its opening weekend. This impressive debut not only surpassed last year’s “Wicked” but also claimed the title for the biggest box-office launch ever for a Broadway adaptation.
As a sequel, an adaptation, and a fresh take on beloved material-Frank L. Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from 1900 and its iconic 1939 film adaptation-the blockbuster is brimming with elements that will resonate with viewers.
Familiar faces abound, including Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), Glinda (Ariana Grande), Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Nessarose (Marissa Bode), Boq (Ethan Slater), Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Even the classic trio of Dorothy (gingham-clad, of course), the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion make appearances.
However, some of the film’s most delightful details and references are woven in with a lighter touch. For those with a keen eye for Ozian lore, here are some subtle “Easter eggs” you might have missed:
Musical Whispers and Familiar Melodies:
- Glinda’s “Popular” Reprise: Shortly after her grand reintroduction in Emerald City, Glinda greets the Ozians with the unmistakable “La-la, la-la” refrain from her Act I solo, “Popular.” Apparently, this charming callback was Ariana Grande’s idea!
- A “Wicked” Opening Act: The newly expanded opening number, “Every Day More Wicked,” cleverly repurposes the melody from “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Composer Stephen Schwartz also sprinkled in brief reprises of “The Wizard and I” and “What Is This Feeling?”
Costume Clues and Clever Details:
- Fiyero’s “Gale Force”: Fiyero’s new role as captain of the Wizard’s police force, the “Gale Force,” is a subtle nod to Dorothy’s full name, Dorothy Gale, in L. Frank Baum’s original book.
- A Winged Monkey’s Souvenir: Keep an eye out for a winged monkey sporting a ripped pink jacket. This is a callback to a scene in the first “Wicked” film where a monkey snatches Glinda’s jacket during a scuffle, seemingly keeping it as a memento.
- The Wizard’s Pop-Up Propaganda: Much like in the first film where the Wizard used whimsical pop-up books to spread his “all-powerful” image to children, “Wicked: For Good” shows Ozians hawking similar books to propagate the “Wicked Witch” narrative.
- Glinda’s Rainbow Connection: In a childhood flashback, a young Glinda playfully pretends to conjure a rainbow, a moment that subtly connects her to Dorothy’s iconic ballad, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
- Elphaba’s Foliage Camouflage: When Elphaba hides from Fiyero and the Gale Force, she uses the forest’s foliage as cover, a clever callback to Fiyero’s cheeky remark about her green skin blending with the leaves when they first met.
- The Ruby Slippers’ Fiery Debut: While Dorothy’s magic shoes are silver in Baum’s book, a pivotal moment in “Wicked: For Good” sees Elphaba’s spell temporarily turn Nessarose’s silver shoes a luminous, fiery red, making them resemble the iconic ruby slippers from the 1939 film.
This scene also features a significant update from the Broadway play, allowing Nessarose to fly rather than simply walk, reflecting a more inclusive narrative.
- Glinda’s “Wonderful” Influence: Glinda joins the Wizard in an extended version of his song “Wonderful,” playing a crucial role in trying to sway Elphaba.
This new dynamic incorporates dialogue and choreography from the first movie, underscoring Glinda’s emotional connection to Elphaba as the key to any potential persuasion.
- Glinda’s Reputation, Woven in Thread: Paul Tazewell, the Oscar-winning costume designer, integrated butterflies and birds into Glinda’s wedding accessories, symbolizing her “Glinda the Good” persona and her association with the Wizard’s propaganda, particularly the “bubble” vehicle.
- Madame Morrible’s Meteorological Style: Madame Morrible’s costumes subtly reflect her weather-controlling powers, with embroidery resembling lightning strikes as she evolves into a powerful figurehead.
A Final, Iconic Whisper:
- The Broadway Poster Comes to Life: The film’s final shot is a direct homage to the famous Broadway poster. In a flashback to their school days, Elphaba wears her classic witch hat while Glinda, in a white hood, leans in to whisper in her ear, mirroring the iconic illustration.
Director Jon M. Chu meticulously kept this moment a secret from the studio, ensuring it would be a surprising and poignant tribute to the original artwork and the enduring bond between the two friends.
“Wicked: For Good” truly delivers a magical experience, not just with its grand scale and returning characters, but also with these thoughtful and often subtle nods that enrich the beloved world of Oz.