Why Munchkins in WICKED Aren’t as SHORT as in The Wizard of Oz?... #shorts

Why Munchkins in Wicked Aren’t as Short as in The Wizard of Oz?
Munchkins in Wicked are taller than in The Wizard of Oz because the movie aligns with their portrayal in L. Frank Baum's book. In the original novel, Munchkins are about the same height as Dorothy, who’s a 10-year-old girl. Since Judy Garland was 16 when she played Dorothy, the 1939 film adjusted her age and made Munchkins significantly shorter, casting them as comic relief—a decision now seen as controversial. In Wicked, Ethan Slater, who plays Boq, is 5’5” and taller than the 1939 Munchkins but shorter than most characters. The film preserves this height difference, even showing Boq standing on books to meet Fiyero's eye level. Director Jon M. Chu aimed to modernize their portrayal, making Munchkins more individualistic and avoiding offensive tropes. He also reimagined their appearance, basing them on Slater's likeness with fair skin and reddish hair. This shift reflects the evolving sensitivity in storytelling, ensuring Wicked’s Munchkins are treated as meaningful characters.
#shorts #wicked #thewizardofoz #disney #didyouknow #moviefacts #moviedetails

[Starburst]

In the Wicked book they made a point too to say that some Munchkins are taller (comparatively) due to some immigration and mixing of taller people who came to munchkinland and were more rich in farming

Boq himself is descended from the taller munchkins on one of his oarents sides so in the book he's as tall as a short dude which is considered tall for munchkins but still shorter than Glinda

[taegan]

The munchkins in the original Wizard of Oz aren’t controversial because it supposedly made fun of dwarfs… it was controversial because of the horrible treatment of the people playing the munchkins by the staff of the movie during production

[shortstack]

They were always meaningful characters and little people exist but are being taken out of every part they would rock. It’s awesome to watch the old one because it’s so fun getting to see little people as a whole group/city of people!

[PelafinaLievre]

Let’s be real, imagine the Munchkins in the 1939 film singing No One Mourns the Wicked.

[justinemessner]

Gotta love how a town full of people with dwarfism is “controversial” but a town full of gingers is “reimagined.”

[samuelmayr]

Ahhh, Peter Dinklage is in the movie so they did not want to open the Little People Topic again😂😂😂

[daydreaminavenue]

What's controversial is the fact that dwarf actors are being pushed out of major Hollywood productions due to Peter Dinklage’s comments about the dwarfs in Snow White. It's unfair that only Peter can participate in these productions while other dwarf actors are excluded.

[drummergirl]

Yes that, and also Boq was always played by a non-Dwarf in the stage musical. There aren't a lot of people with dwarfism doing Broadway stuff.

[Zepol]

I didn't think the munchkin's where comic relief that was Dorothys companion

[edcano]

Also, power to them for not casting peter dinklage in that role, but one with a bigger role and song.

[BOOShawny]

I prefer the munchkins as little people. That’s one thing i wasn’t a fan of about Wicked. Other than that 10/10 movie

[LucyFurious]

Ok but can we talk about the straight up Oompa Loompas that dance in the fountain in Emerald City!? Where did they come from?

[debbieladeby]

Wicked, the play and movie, is based on the novel, Wicked by Gregory McGuire (which is loosely based on the novel by Baum).

[alexissandren]

Remember that the Trop family are Munchkins but we never see anyone comment on how Elphaba, Nessarose or their father are unnaturally tall for Munchkins.

[amykat]

Reimagining the Munchkins as fair skinned with red hair? Excuse me, did you notice just how many Munchkins of color there were? Most still had curly reddish hair, but many were also black, which was a really cool choice imo.

[ravenwolter]

OK IS IT JUST ME OR does the boy who Glinda boops on the nose look EXACTLY LIKE BEN FROM DESCENDANTS…..😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Demille]

The munchkins in the 1939 Wizard of Oz are not and have never been controversial. They are perfect and memorable . Stop with the virtue signaling.

[margaretriley]

I would have been perfect to play a Munchkin in "WICKED"..!! "GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES"..!! 😅

[moonshyein]

WDYM FAIR SKIN when their are Black and Asian people as the munchkins?? No hare btw I love Wicked!

[DisabledDoll]

The info in this video doesn’t make sense. There was no reason to change the munchkins size. They were written to be the height of a ten year old…