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NEED TO KNOW
Wicked premiered on Broadway in 2003 and starred Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
In 2024, director Jon M. Chu adapted the musical into a two-part movie: Wicked and Wicked: For Good
Those films featured Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda
The beloved Broadway musicalWickedfound a new audience on the big screen.
Over 20 years after Tony-winning actressesIdina MenzelandKristin Chenowethstarred as Elphaba and Glinda on stage,Cynthia ErivoandAriana Grandetook over their roles, respectively, in the 2024 movieWickedand its 2025 follow-up,Wicked: For Good.
Jon M. Chuwas the first director to adapt the original Tony Award-winning musical for the big screen, and he 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 seeWicked, you'll be blessed."
However, according to Erivo, the movie was slightly different from the original production. To tell the story in its full capacity, the project was released in two parts.Wickedcame out in 2024, andWicked: For Goodpremiered in theaters on Nov. 21.
"I think we're going to enjoy the magic of it," she toldEntertainment Tonightahead of filming in February 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 originalWickedBroadway company side-by-side with the film's new stars.
Elphaba: Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo
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Menzel won a Tony award for her 2003 role as Elphaba inWicked— justone of five Broadway showsshe's performed in to date. The actress and singer made her on-stage debut in the original 1996 cast ofRentand reprised her role in the 2005 film adaptation. Menzel is also known for voicing Elsa in Disney's animated filmFrozen.
Like the original Elphaba, Erivo got her start on Broadway and won a 2016 Tony award for her role as Celie inThe Color Purple. The English actress is also known for her on-screen work in projects likeWidows,Bad Times at the El RoyaleandHarriet, for which she was nominated for two Oscars.
Glinda: Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande
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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 costarMenzelwon the award. The Emmy-winning actress went on to star in series likePushing Daisies,The West WingandGlee.
Grande told Amazon Music'sZach Sang Showthat she'swanted the chance to play Glindasince she was 20. The pop singer and former Nickelodeon starcalled Chenoweth cryingwhen she learned she had landed the audition. Since rising to fame on the showVictorious, Grande has become a Grammy-winning artist, earning 18 nominations and two awards.
Fiyero: Norbert Leo Butz and Jonathan Bailey
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Norbert Leo Butz originated the role ofFiyero, Elphaba and Glinda's love interest, in the 2003 musical. The two-time Tony winner is known for his Broadway performances inCatch Me If You CanandDirty Rotten Scoundrels. He's also made on-screen appearances in films likeDan in Real Lifeand series likeAmerican Sports Story, where he played former New England Patriots coachBill Belichick.
Bridgerton'sJonathan Baileyplayed Fiyero in the 2024 and 2025 films. He's best known for his role asAnthony Bridgertonin the Netflix series and for starring in shows likeHeartstopperandFellow Travelers. Bailey also had a role in the 2025 filmJurassic World Rebirth— a franchise hisWickedcostarJeff Goldblumis famously known for.
The Wizard: Joel Grey and Jeff Goldblum
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Joel Greywas the original Wizard of Oz in the 2003 production ofWicked. The long-time Broadway legend and Oscar winner is known for his role inCabareton the stage and in the 1972 film adaptation. Grey has also appeared in TV series likeAlias,Nurse JackieandThe Old Man.
Goldblumplayed the Wizardin 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 likeJurassic ParkandIndependence Dayas well as shows likePortlandia,Will & GraceandLaw & Order: Criminal Intent.
Dr. Dillamond: William Youmans and Peter Dinklage
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William Youmans played Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor who befriends Elphaba, in the original Broadway cast. He toldPlaybillin 2023 that though he had performed supporting roles inBig RiverandTitanic,Wickedwas his first "principal role in the original cast of a Broadway show."
Peter Dinklagevoices the animal history professor in the film adaptation. The actor is best known for his role on the hit HBO seriesGame of Thrones, which won him a record-breaking four Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, perVariety.
Nessarose: Michelle Federer and Marissa Bode
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
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 likeSmash,ElementaryandNew Amsterdam. In real life, theactress is marriedto herWickedcostar Butz.
Marissa Bodemade her film debut as Nessarose inWicked— and according toToday, she was 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 titledNo Roles Written.
Madame Morrible: Carole Shelley and Michelle Yeoh
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Picture
Carole Shelley played Madame Morrible in the originalWickedproduction. The Tony-winning actress is best known for her performance both on stage and in the TV series adaptation ofNeil Simon'sThe Odd Couple. She died of cancer in 2018, according toThe New York Times.
Michelle Yeohportrayed the headmistress in the 2024 and 2025Wickedadaptations. The actress has starred in films likeCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,Tomorrow Never DiesandEverything Everywhere All At Once, whichearned her an Academy Award. Yeoh also worked with Chu on the 2018 filmCrazy Rich Asians.
Boq: Christopher Fitzgerald and Ethan Slater
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Universal Pictures
Christopher Fitzgerald originated the role of Boq, Nessarose's love interest, in the 2003 show. In addition toWicked, the actor and singer has performed on stage inYoung FrankensteinandWaitress, theSara Bareilles-composed musical. He's also appeared on TV series likeGodless,The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselandAmerican Horror Stories.
Ethan Slaterplayed Boq in theWickedfilm —a role he auditioned foron Broadway years ago. He's best known for his Tony-nominated performance in the musical adaptation of the Nickelodeon showSpongeBob Squarepants. The actor and singer has beendating hisWickedcostar, Grande, since 2023.
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