When “The Wicked Movie” ends and the Broadway musical is split

The Evil The musical was adapted into two standalone films, with a specific moment from the Broadway show serving as a logical conclusion to Part 1. The hugely popular prequel story for The Wizard of Oz was first performed on Broadway in 2003 and its rapid success on stage made a film adaptation inevitable. Of course, introducing it came with significant challenges Evil to the screen, and after years of development hell, two major motion pictures are on the way. Ultimately, this was the only way to implement such a project.

Universal Pictures has hired director Jon M. Chu (In the heights) at the wheel for both Evil Movies starring Cynthia Ervio as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as her Wizard of Oz Enemy, Galinda the Good. The first film, hitting theaters on November 22, 2024, follows this duo at school as an unlikely friendship forms. However, they are destined to come into conflict with each other, a story that Evil: Part 2 is safe to explore. Naturally, Chu had to find the perfect place to break up Evil in these two films– and the musical presented a prime opportunity.

Wicked Part 1 is expected to end after defying gravity

“Defying Gravity” is the final scene of the first act of Wicked

The first Evil The film is expected to end after the musical number “Defying Gravity.” This serves as the finale to the first act of the Broadway show. While Act 2 contains some extraordinary scenes, Elphaba's big moment comes in “Defying Gravity,” making it the highlight of the entire story. This allows for a natural stopping point for the first film. Furthermore, the following act picks up speed after a small jump in time, which was supposed to be the beginning Evil: Part 2 an organic sequel to the first film.

The Wicked songwriter has already explained why Defying Gravity Part 1 has to end

Stephen Schwartz explains the role “Defying Gravity” played in dividing the Wicked films

Defying Gravity is a handy place to stop Evil film, but composer Stephen Schwartz, who worked on both the original musical and the films, has stated that this song is the main reason the show had to be split into two films. While the desire to retain all of the key moments of the two-hour and 45-minute show was a key motivator, Schwartz found it difficult to continue a film after Defying Gravity. “The song was written specifically to bring down the curtain“, he said, “and whatever the scene, you could follow it without pausing, it just seemed extremely disappointing.”

The audience is watching this Evil Musically, watch the curtain fall on “Defying Gravity” and take a moment as the lights come up to fully process the magic you just experienced. After the break, they will be welcomed to a brand new Ozin which Elphaba and Galinda (now Glinda) have both left their innocent school days behind them and officially slipped into their roles as evil and good witches. Integrating this transition into a single film that doesn't involve the moment of breaking free from the illusion would certainly have been awkward in comparison.

How evil Part 1 becomes Part 2 due to the division of the musical

Wicked Part 1 is the prequel, while Part 2 takes place during The Wizard of Oz

As already mentioned, the two acts of Evil Divide Elphaba and Glinda's stories into their school years and their adult years. For this reason the first Evil The film will be primarily dedicated to the development of their unusual friendship between these two and the development of their magical powers. “Defying Gravity” comes as Elphaba realizes that the Wizard of Oz is a man of smoke and mirrors. She had believed his power could save Oz, but this big moment is when she accepts that she can only count on herself, even if it means becoming the Wicked Witch of the West.

The second act of Evil takes place during the events of The Wizard of Oz but from Elphaba's perspective and not that of Dorothy and her companions. In this way the first Evil Movie will be true Wizard of Oz Prequel introducing the characters who ultimately play a role in Dorothy's legendary journey and the downfall of the deeply misunderstood Wicked Witch. If you look at the story like that, it's clear that there was no other option but to break up Evil in two films. This is how the story was told.

Based on the famous play from “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” is a fantasy musical in which an entirely new cast takes on the modern story. The film explores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West, a woman despised by society because of her green skin and even the Wizard of Oz frames her for a crime she did not commit.

director

Jon M. Chu

Release date

November 27, 2024

Studio(s)

Marc Platt Productions

Sales partner

Universal images

writer

Winnie Holzman, Stephen Schwartz

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