Why the ‘Wicked’ Movie Was Split Into Two Parts

The highly anticipated film adaptation of the stage musical ‘Wicked‘ has been split into two parts, a decision that was driven by several key factors. Director Jon M. Chu and the production team at Universal Pictures opted to divide the story to ensure that the rich and complex narrative of the original musical was not compromised.

One of the primary reasons for this decision was to avoid cutting crucial plot points and character arcs. The original stage musical, written by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, is dense with intricate relationships and storylines, and condensing it into a single film would have resulted in significant omissions. By splitting the story, the filmmakers could expand on the journeys and relationships between the characters, particularly the deep and complex friendship between Elphaba and Glinda.

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, and Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, were cast in 2021, and their performances were a key consideration in the decision. The filmmakers wanted to do justice to their characters and the source material, which includes Gregory Maguire‘s 1995 novel and L. Frank Baum‘s original ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz‘.

The production faced several challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Despite these hurdles, principal photography began in December 2022 in England and concluded in January 2024. The first part of the film premiered at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on November 3, 2024, and was released in the United States on November 22, 2024.

The film has received praise for its performances, production design, and faithfulness to the source material, although some critics have noted the lengthy runtime and certain aspects of the cinematography. The sequel, ‘Wicked Part Two,’ is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025).