Building the World of Wicked

“If you want to be inside that world, you have to build it.”
Director Jon M Chu talks about bringing the world of #WickedMovie to life in this new featurette

-----

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar® nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster Wicked stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.

Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

[MaxHechtman]

They should take all of this and edit a 4 hour long behind the scenes documentary about the making of this two-part musical film. Could serve as a great look into why it takes a large village to make a film a reality.

[cookieguygaming]

This is just a genius technique. Us as the audience are going to feel Oz is real! IM SO HAPPY THIS IS REAL!!!

[jacobrivera-sanchez]

It’s all grand, and it’s all green! 💚💖

[foreveranqel.]

this movie being made literally feels like a dream. the cast, the sets, the plots, the production, everything is just so perfect.

[NickADoo]

We finally got a glimpse of ONE SHORT DAY and DANCING THROUGH LIFE!!

[KingdomHeartsFan]

It’s great to see that so many things in this movie are not just going to be CGI. CGI, when done well, is all fine, well, and good; but there is something far more satisfying and immersive about practical effects and actual set pieces.

[jossua]

omg it's an actual set and not CGI!! Can't wait to watch in theatres 😭😭

[MaxxManzi]

Dancing through life is going to be such a visual pleasure

[andydv]

Seeing Jonathan Bailey in Wicked honestly gives me Flynn Rider vibes! If Tangled ever gets a live action movie, he would be perfect for Flynn Rider!!

[crm]

The fact that they handmade most of the sets and props is a throwback to Hollywood’s Golden Age. And even the stuff that was too big to made in the studio (i.e. matte paintings) had the artist’s hand in it.

[marcoguerra]

Those tulips are real!?!? All the setting is mindblowing!!!

[poet]

I am blown away!! Especially that all those tulips were actually planted 😲 I do wonder what happened to the tulips after. I am actually more excited after seeing this as it's all tangible.

[Movie_Geek]

Now This is how movies should be made none if this blue/Green screen with minimal props

[Pti_chapo]

Mixing the skills of on-set and CG artists is the best way to go!
To help the actors to dive into their scenes and to use real high quality assets as perfect references to complete the magic with high quality CG.

[jkb_games_music]

I always wonder where they find the spaces to build these things lol. Like where did they purchase all this land to build all this stuff. It's interesting to me, I want to know more behind the process.

[andydv]

So excited for this movie!! Wicked is already one of the movies I'm most excited for this year!! Let's do this!!

[alexramirez]

You can tell this is a labor of love. They are doing this musical justice by setting it up the way it should be set up. I have chills and I cannot wait for this movie to come out

[icedabunny]

I didn't think I could get any more excited for this movie. But knowing everything has been hand made and built and the tulips being real just makes me all the more excited for this movie.

[VerdaleStinsonBOWTIE]

It's brilliant because it takes a element of broadway having actually built sets it almost like a big broadway stage now I know this is gonna be probably thee best live adaptation of a broadway show because having that physical aspect adds to what the actors bring. Ugh I can't

[jonathanmitchell]

Absolutely stunning!!! I cannot imagine how it felt to be in that world, I think I’d literally combust with excitement and awe!! I’m so looking forward to seeing this soon!!