Ladies and Ozmopolitans, after years of anticipation, the Wicked movie is finally here to defy gravity box office records. If the early reviews are any indication, Ariana Grande (Grande-Butera, if you’re nasty) and Cynthia Erivo have created an experience so magical that it’s going to leave diehard Wicked fans tickled pink (unlike that awkies fan edit drama that left Cynthia green with envy). But for the new fans who aren’t quite Wizomaniacs, all of the insider Ozian knowledge I’ve been casually hoarding for years from Glinda’s real name to WTF goes down at Shiz may seem like a lot to follow in one sitting. Never fear, as a semi-closeted theater nerd who has listened to the Wicked musical soundtrack (and seen the show live) more times than Idina Menzel hit an E-flat from 2003 to 2005, I got you. If you’re lost about why something baaaaad is happening in Oz, keep reading my spoiler-free Wicked guide on everything to know before the movie.

A Guide To The Wicked Characters

Ariana Grande: Glinda Upland

Ariana Grande plays Glinda, which I assume you already know unless you’ve been in a coma for the last five years. But did you know Glinda isn’t her real name? Ari’s pink puffy character is all about appearances, which is why she changed her name from Ga-linda, which was far less chic. Glinda and the other Shiz students’ quirky Ozion pronunciations of words (clandestinedly, hideoteous, festivating, to name a few faves) are a running plotline in the film. Check out a full glossary here.

Cynthia Erivo: Elphaba Thropp (AKA, The Wicked Witch Of The West)

In case the green didn’t give it away, Cynthia is the Wicked Witch all the munchkins are soooo afraid of in Judy Garland’s Oz. In the musical version, the magical realm is trying to hunt Elphie for her completely misrepresented crimes in the kingdom.

What does Jonathan Bailey sing in Wicked?

Jonathan Bailey and his delicious quads (what I have eyes!) are playing Fiyero Tigelaar, the love interest that comes between Elphaba and Glinda, threatening their unlikely friendship. Fiyero’s big song that will make you swoon is called Dancing Through Life.

Is the Wizard the bad guy in Wicked?

Sorry to break it to you, but yes, the Wizard is just as big of a liar, if not worse than the original movie. Instead of the blubbering grandfatherly version in the OG Wizard of Oz, Jeff Goldblum is here to play a megalomaniacal, narcissistic, manipulative world leader (sound familiar) whose birth name is Oscar Zoroaster Diggs. He wants to use Elphaba’s powers, but when she won’t agree, he works to make her public enemy number one.

Who is Ethan Slater in Wicked?

Ethan Slater is a Munchkin named Boq. I know you nosey nellies were wondering if Ari and Ethan’s characters had a love arc, and lucky for you, they kind of do. Boq has a big crush on Glinda, but Ms. Popular is obviously dead set on the school’s #1 hottie, Fiyero. In a plotline straight out of a ’90s Brat Pack romcom, Glinda gets the munchkin to humor Elphaba’s loser sis Nessa.

Who is Bowen Yang in Wicked?

Bowen is playing Pfannee of Phan Hall, Elphaba’s bitchy enemy in the freshman class (who was originally a woman in the stage musical). Pfannee is obsessed with proving Elphaba is a fraud because of her green skin (yikes) and will do anything to suck up to Glinda even though she’s also from Munchkinland like the Thropps.

Who is Peter Dinklage in Wicked?

Peter Dinklage is voicing Dr. Dillamond, a professor at Shiz who is a part of the minority speaking Animal population in Oz (there are also other normal non-sentient animals). Dillamond teaches Elphaba history and slowly turns her onto the dark side of Oz, and will later suffer a terrible fate for speaking against the Wizard.

Who is Michelle Yeoh in Wicked?

Queen Yeoh is playing Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Shiz, and Elphaba’s magic tutor who prepares her to meet the Wizard. Not really a spoiler, but this lady is definitely not someone to be trusted.

Why is Nessa in a wheelchair?

If you ask Nessarose and Elphaba’s dad who is the governor of Munchkinland, Frex The Godly, it’s all Elphaba’s fault. After Elphaba was born green, Frex made their mother, Melena Thropp, take special medicine to “fix” Nessa (played by Marissa Bode). This made her born premature and with injuries to her legs.

Wicked Movie Main Plot Summary

What Songs Are In The Wicked Movie Soundtrack?

The official tracklist for the first Wicked movie includes 11 songs from the Broadway musical, ending on the iconic “Defying Gravity.”

1. “No One Mourns the Wicked” sung by Ariana Grande ft. Andy Nyman, Courtney Mae-Briggs, Jeff Goldblum, Sharon D. Clarke and Jenna Boyd
2. “Dear Old Shiz” sung by Shiz University Choir featuring Ariana Grande
3. “The Wizard And I” sung by Cynthia Erivo featuring Michelle Yeoh
4. “What Is This Feeling?” sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
5. “Something Bad” sung by Peter Dinklage featuring Cynthia Erivo
6. “Dancing Through Life”  sung by Jonathan Bailey featuring Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode and Cynthia Erivo
7. “Popular” sung by Ariana Grande
8. “I’m Not That Girl” sung by Cynthia Erivo
9. “One Short Day” sung by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
10. “A Sentimental Man” sung by Jeff Goldblum
11. “Defying Gravity” sung by Cynthia Erivo featuring Ariana Grande

Will the Wicked movies cut the songs from the musical?

Jon Chu has confirmed all songs from the musical have made the final cut, how thrillifying!! That’s why the Wicked movie has been split into two parts.

How long is the Wicked movie?

Part one of Wicked has a two-hour 40-minute runtime. That means the first installment alone is as long as the entire stage musical.

Why is Elphaba green?

Elphaba is unexpectedly born green by her mother, Melena, much to the chagrin of the governor Frex and the hospital staff. In the opening number, “No One Mourns The Wicked,” it’s implied that Melena was tempted by a one-night-stand who offered her a drink of his “green elixir” before they hooked up, resulting in Elphaba.

Does Ethan Slater kiss Ariana Grande in Wicked?

No, you little weirdo! Unless Jon Chu drastically diverged from the stage musical for attention, Boq is nothing but a pawn to Glinda. Maybe he’ll get a kiss on the cheek.

What is Shiz?

Shiz is Oz’s top university, where Elphaba, Glinda, and the rest of the gang meet as horny and nervous college freshmen located in the Northern Province city of the same name. Think of it as an Ivy League. Universal has created an interactive website to figure out your college and major at Shiz.

Does Dorothy appear in the Wicked musical or movie?

In the musical, Dorothy is only referred to off-stage. You never actually see the character, but her famous water toss on The Wicked Witch of the West (“I’m melting, I’m melting!!”) does happen, with a twist, of course. This scene should play out in the second Wicked movie, though the trailer has some fans guessing Dorothy may show up earlier than expected and get a dedicated character on screen.

How do Elphaba and Glinda meet?

The first years are roommates at Crage Hall, a female-only college within Shiz University.

Where does Elphaba The Wicked Witch get her hat?

Glinda gives her the ugly hat as mean joke before they become true friends. It was a gift from her grandmother that she hated, but Elphaba eventually makes it her own.

Writer’s note: there are some serious spoilers ahead! Stop reading here if you want to avoid them.

Who is Elphaba’s father?

The Wizard (AKA, Oscar Diggs) is the man who slept with Elphaba’s mother. Madame Morrible hints that Elphaba’s strength comes from being “from two different worlds.” Elphaba experiences a strange connection to the Wizard when they meet before she discovers he’s a fraud. The Time Dragon clock (lol never forget this is a silly little musical, guys) eventually reveals the truth to Elphaba.

Does Glinda kill Elphaba in Wicked after they stop being friends?

No, Glinda and Elphaba’s frenemy-ship doesn’t lead to Elphaba’s death. In fact, after their major blow-up, they eventually come to respect the hard choice the other one had to make for their life. In the end, Glinda promises to carry on Elphaba’s wish to liberate Oz with equality after both she and the Wizard are gone.

Does Elphaba die at the end of Wicked?

No, Elphaba escapes through a trap door with Fiyero after Dorothy throws water on her, faking her own death. At least, that’s what happens in the musical! We’ll see if the second movie has a more heartbreaking ending.