Honestly, walking into the theater for a movie as hyped as Wicked, you expect the spectacle. You expect the high notes. But what really anchors the whole thing—and what people can’t stop talking about—is how the cast of movie wicked actually managed to step out from under the massive shadow of the original Broadway legends. It's a tall order. Following Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth is basically a suicide mission in the musical theater world.
Yet, here we are in 2026, looking back at a two-part cinematic event that somehow redefined Elphaba and Glinda for a new generation. It wasn't just about finding people who could sing; it was about finding actors who could handle the "pre-green" vulnerability of these characters.
The Central Duo: Erivo and Grande
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba is, quite frankly, a revelation. We knew she had the pipes—anyone who saw her in The Color Purple knows she’s a powerhouse—but her Elphaba is different. She’s pricklier. More guarded. Erivo brings a grounded, almost soul-weary energy to the girl who would eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West. It’s a performance that relies as much on her expressive eyes as it does on her belt in "Defying Gravity."
Then there’s Ariana Grande.
There was so much skepticism when she was first announced as Glinda. People thought she’d just be "Ariana in a blonde wig." But she actually leaned into the operatic roots of the character, channeling that high-soprano placement that the role demands. Her Glinda (or Galinda, with a "Ga," as she insists early on) is funny. Like, genuinely, physically funny. She plays the "popular" girl with a level of self-aware quirkiness that makes her transition into the Good Witch feel earned rather than just a costume change.
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The Men of Shiz: Fiyero and Boq
Jonathan Bailey was essentially born to play Fiyero. If you've seen him as Anthony in Bridgerton, you know he can do the "charming but emotionally stunted aristocrat" thing in his sleep. In Wicked, he brings a necessary layer of shallow-to-deep growth. His Fiyero isn't just a heartthrob; he's a guy who is genuinely bored with his own privilege until he meets a girl who actually challenges him.
On the flip side, we have Ethan Slater as Boq. It's a tragic role, really. Most people know Slater from SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, but his portrayal of the love-struck Munchkin is far more subdued and eventually heartbreaking. Watching his journey from a hopeful student to the man who eventually becomes the Tin Man is one of the darker threads Jon M. Chu wove into the film.
The Faculty and the Fraud
The supporting cast is where the movie really flexes its prestige muscles.
- Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible: Coming off her Oscar win, Yeoh brings a chilling, elegant authority to the Dean of Sorcery. She doesn't play her as a cartoon villain. She’s a politician.
- Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard: This might be the most "Goldblum" role ever. He plays the Wizard as a "humbug" who is fully aware of his own fraudulence, using that signature staccato speech pattern to mask a deep-seated insecurity.
- Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond: Providing the voice for the talking goat professor, Dinklage brings a gravitas to the "Animals are being silenced" subplot that often gets overshadowed in the stage version.
Breaking Down the Newcomers
Marissa Bode’s casting as Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister, was a significant moment for representation. As an actor who uses a wheelchair in real life, Bode brings an authenticity to Nessa that hasn't always been present in previous iterations of the show. Her chemistry with Erivo feels like a real, complicated sisterhood—full of resentment, protection, and unspoken guilt.
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We also got some expanded roles for Glinda's "entourage." Bowen Yang as Pfannee and Bronwyn James as ShenShen are basically the "mean girls" of Shiz University. They provide most of the comedic relief in the first half of the film, and Yang’s dry delivery is exactly what you’d expect if you’re a fan of his Saturday Night Live work.
Why This Cast Actually Works
The biggest misconception about the cast of movie wicked was that they were just "big names" meant to sell tickets. While the star power is undeniable, the performances are surprisingly intimate. Jon M. Chu opted for live singing on set in many instances, which changed the texture of the performances. You can hear the breathiness, the cracks in the voice, and the raw emotion that usually gets polished away in a recording studio.
The film also makes room for cameos that bridge the gap between the stage and screen. Seeing Menzel and Chenoweth appear as members of the Emerald City Players was the "meta" moment every theater nerd needed. It felt like a passing of the torch.
How the Sequel Changes the Stakes
Since the story was split into two parts, the cast had to sustain these characters over a much longer arc. In Wicked: Part Two (or Wicked: For Good), we see the cast age and harden. The whimsical college students of Shiz become the war-torn figures of Oz's revolution. This is where Erivo and Grande really shine, showing the breakdown of their friendship as political forces pull them apart.
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It’s easy to get lost in the CGI and the sweeping landscapes of Munchkinland, but the heart of the movie is the relationship between these two women. Everything else—the flying monkeys, the silver shoes, the yellow brick road—is just background noise to the story of two people who changed each other for good.
If you're planning a rewatch or diving into the lore for the first time, pay close attention to the background actors at Shiz University. Many of them are seasoned West End and Broadway dancers who bring a technical precision to the big numbers like "Dancing Through Life."
To truly appreciate the vocal performances, try listening to the soundtrack with high-quality headphones. You’ll catch the subtle nuances in Erivo’s "I’m Not That Girl" and the intricate harmonies between her and Grande in the "For Good" finale that often get lost in a loud theater environment.