Honestly, the hype was massive. People were skeptical when the first casting calls leaked years ago, but now that we've actually seen the wicked movie full cast 2024 in action, it's hard to imagine anyone else in these roles. Jon M. Chu didn't just pick names; he picked a specific kind of theater-meets-pop-culture energy that actually works.
Cynthia Erivo is the heart of this thing.
She plays Elphaba Thropp, the green-skinned girl who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. If you’ve seen her in Harriet or on Broadway in The Color Purple, you already know she has the pipes. But in Wicked, she brings this raw, misunderstood vulnerability to the role. It isn’t just about hitting the high F in "Defying Gravity"—though she absolutely nails that. It's about the way she looks at people who are terrified of her.
Then there is Ariana Grande.
Most people know her as the pop princess with the high ponytail, but she actually started on Broadway in the musical 13. In this film, she’s Galinda (later Glinda) Upland. She’s pink. She’s popular. She’s borderline insufferable in the best way possible. Grande’s comedic timing is actually surprisingly sharp here, leaning into the "ditzy but driven" vibe that Kristin Chenoweth originated decades ago.
The Supporting Players: More Than Just Background
The wicked movie full cast 2024 isn't just a two-woman show. We have to talk about Jonathan Bailey.
The Bridgerton star plays Fiyero Tigelaar, the Winkie prince who is essentially the school heartthrob. He’s charming, yes, but he also has to navigate the complicated love triangle between the two leads. Bailey brings a certain "theatrical swagger" that makes the character feel more grounded than a typical cardboard-cutout prince.
"Ariana and Cynthia... they were like, 'It's imperative you come and join us.' Imperative was the royal word." — Michelle Yeoh on joining the cast.
Speaking of Michelle Yeoh, she plays Madame Morrible. She’s the Dean of Sorcery Studies at Shiz University. It’s her first musical role, and she was reportedly terrified of the singing parts. However, her presence is commanding. She manages to be both mentor and menace, often in the same scene.
The Rest of the Shiz University Crew
- Ethan Slater as Boq: Known for his role as SpongeBob on Broadway, Slater plays the Munchkin who is desperately in love with Glinda. It's a bit of a tragic role, honestly.
- Marissa Bode as Nessarose: In a move for authentic representation, Bode, who uses a wheelchair in real life, plays Elphaba’s younger sister.
- Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James: They play Pfannee and ShenShen, Glinda’s college friends who basically serve as her personal hype squad.
- Peter Dinklage (Voice): He provides the voice for Dr. Dillamond, the talking goat professor who teaches history and faces growing discrimination in Oz.
That Wizard Energy
Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard is... well, it’s Jeff Goldblum.
He plays the "Wonderful" Wizard of Oz as a bit of a smooth-talking salesman. He’s charismatic, but you can see the cracks in the facade almost immediately. Goldblum actually admitted in interviews that he had a childhood fear of witches, which made being on set with Erivo and Grande a bit of a surreal experience for him. He’s not a powerhouse singer like the leads, but for a character who is basically a fraud, that kind of works.
Why This Cast Matters for the Fans
The wicked movie full cast 2024 includes some deep-cut cameos for the "Ozians" who have been following the show since 2003.
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Keep your eyes peeled during the "One Short Day" sequence in the Emerald City. You might spot Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth—the original Elphaba and Glinda from Broadway—making a brief appearance as members of the Emerald City Players. It’s a passing-of-the-torch moment that felt very earned.
The film also features:
- Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.
- Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp (Elphaba's dad).
- Courtney-Mae Briggs as Mrs. Thropp.
There’s a lot of pressure when you adapt a "holy grail" musical like this. If the chemistry between Elphaba and Glinda doesn't work, the whole movie falls apart. Thankfully, the real-life friendship between Erivo and Grande seems to have translated perfectly to the screen.
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Moving Forward With Oz
If you’re planning to dive into the world of the wicked movie full cast 2024, remember that this is only Part One. The story continues in the sequel, Wicked: For Good, where many of these actors will return to finish the saga.
For the best experience, watch the film on a screen with a high-end sound system. The vocal performances, especially during the Shiz University scenes, are layered with intricate harmonies that get lost on standard laptop speakers. If you're a fan of the original soundtrack, pay close attention to the new arrangements by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell—they've expanded several tracks to fit the larger cinematic scope.
Check your local listings for IMAX screenings if you want to see the scale of the Emerald City as it was intended. It's also worth looking into the "behind-the-scenes" features if you can find them, particularly regarding how they built the physical sets for Munchkinland rather than relying purely on green screens.