Honestly, if you haven’t seen the pink and green posters plastered over every square inch of the internet by now, you’re basically living under a rock. But look, even if you know the basics, the question of who stars in Wicked the movie goes way deeper than just two pop icons. We’re talking about a cast that was basically hand-picked to break the box office—and your heart.
The movie (which, reminder, is split into two parts because Hollywood loves a cliffhanger) has a lineup that’s kinda wild when you look at it on paper. You’ve got Broadway veterans, a Marvel legend, an Oscar winner, and a Bridgerton heartthrob all sharing the same screen. It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Big Two: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
You can't talk about this movie without talking about Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. They aren't just leads; they've basically become the face of the franchise.
Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, the girl who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. If you’ve seen her in The Color Purple or Harriet, you know she’s got a voice that can shatter glass and the acting chops to back it up. She brings this raw, misunderstood energy to Elphaba that makes you realize the "Wicked Witch" was actually just a girl dealing with a whole lot of nonsense.
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Then there’s Ariana Grande as Glinda (or Galinda, depending on which part of the movie you're in). This was basically her dream role. She spent years campaigning for it. People were skeptical at first—because, you know, pop stars—but she really leans into the high-pitched, bubbly, slightly vapid-but-well-meaning vibe that Kristin Chenoweth originated on stage.
Fun Fact: Cynthia and Ariana reportedly got matching tattoos during filming. That’s the level of "bestie" energy we're dealing with here.
The Supporting Cast is Where It Gets Interesting
While the girls get the spotlight, the rest of the cast is stacked. Seriously.
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- Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero: You know him as Anthony Bridgerton. In Wicked, he plays the shallow prince who ends up in a messy love triangle with our two leads. He brings that "I’m rich and handsome but deeply conflicted" energy perfectly.
- Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible: Coming off her Oscar win, Yeoh plays the headmistress of Shiz University. She’s regal, she’s intimidating, and (spoiler alert) she’s not exactly the "kindly teacher" she appears to be.
- Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard: This is peak casting. Goldblum plays the Wizard with that stuttering, eccentric charm he’s known for. He’s less "all-powerful sorcerer" and more "manipulative carnival barker," which fits the lore perfectly.
- Ethan Slater as Boq: The SpongeBob musical star plays the munchkin who’s hopelessly in love with Glinda.
- Marissa Bode as Nessarose: This is actually a big deal—Marissa is the first wheelchair-using actor to play Elphaba's sister, Nessarose. It adds a level of authentic representation that was missing from previous versions.
Wait, There Are Talkin' Animals?
Yep. Oz is weird like that.
Peter Dinklage (the legend from Game of Thrones) voices Dr. Dillamond. He’s the goat professor at Shiz who realizes that something very bad is happening to the animals in Oz. It’s a tragic role, and Dinklage’s voice adds a lot of weight to the political subtext of the movie.
And for the SNL fans out there, Bowen Yang pops up as Pfannee, one of Glinda’s catty college friends. He brings exactly the kind of side-eye humor you’d expect.
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Why the Cast Matters for the Sequel
Since Wicked: Part 1 is already out and Wicked: For Good (Part 2) is slated for late 2025, it’s worth noting that this same cast carries over. You’ll see them evolve as the story moves from the "college years" at Shiz to the much darker, wartime era of Oz.
One thing people keep asking is about the cameos. Yes, the original Broadway Glinda and Elphaba—Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel—do make an appearance. They show up during the "One Short Day" sequence in the Emerald City. It’s a "blink and you’ll miss it" moment if you aren't looking, but for theater nerds, it’s the highlight of the film.
What to Do Next
If you're planning a rewatch or heading to see Part 2 when it drops, here’s how to prep:
- Listen to the Soundtrack First: The movie versions of the songs are slightly different than the Broadway ones. Cynthia’s "Defying Gravity" hits different when you aren't just hearing it but seeing the $145 million budget behind it.
- Watch the Press Tour Interviews: Honestly, the chemistry between the cast is half the fun. They spent two years talking about this movie, and their "Method Dressing" on the red carpet was a whole event in itself.
- Check Out the Original Book: If you want to know the real gritty details that the movie might have softened, Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is a much darker ride.
The movie isn't just a musical; it's a massive cultural moment. Knowing who’s behind the characters makes the whole "Defying Gravity" spectacle feel a lot more human.