How Wicked connects to The Wizard of Oz timeline

Wicked is heading to cinemas after years of success on Broadway and the West End, and the musical will introduce a whole host of new audiences to the beauty of the world inspire by the Wizard of Oz.

Ahead of its release some might be wondering exactly how the new film, which is being released in two parts, connects to L. Frank Baum's children's novel and the iconic Judy Garland movie it was based on. There are many ways in which it does so, thanks to the characters that Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and more play in the new film.

Here is everything that you need to know on the ways in which Wicked connects to The Wizard of Oz.

Is Wicked a prequel to The Wizard of Oz?

Wicked is indeed a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. The original centres on a young girl named Dorothy Gale, who finds herself (and her dog Toto) whisked off to the magical world of Oz when a storm hits her farm in Kansas. There she meets many delightful characters from Glinda the Good Witch to the Scarecrow, to the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and so on.

The new film explains how the story's villain The Wicked Witch of the West came to be the evildoer she's feared as. What we learn, though, is that Elphaba (Erivo) actually isn't the two-dimensional villain she's painted as in Dorothy's story — in fact, she's quite the opposite.

Wicked reveals that Elphaba has spent her whole life being discriminated against and looked down on because of her green skin. Her powerful magic makes her both someone to be in awe of and fear, even if she actually would never harm anyone.

Elphaba is not a villain she is misunderstood, othered simply because of the way she looks. Wicked explores this notion through its depiction of her early years at Shiz University where her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) attends. There she meets Galinda (Grande), and while at first the pair hate each other they later become good friends — best friends, in fact.

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With Elphaba's magic growing in strength their teacher Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) decides to introduce her to The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and the events of their meeting is what leads to Elphaba being painted as the Wicked Witch of the West that viewers know.

Does Wicked include the events of The Wizard of Oz?

Yes, Wicked does adapt the events of The Wizard of Oz but it does so in a way that will make viewers rethink what they know and love about the original work.

Wicked Part One includes a few references to The Wizard of Oz because it begins partway through the classic story, shortly after the Wicked Witch of the West has been vanquished with a bucket of water. The musical also begins with a big song and dance number about Elphaba's death, with Glinda the Good Witch (whose name change is explained over the course of the story) reassures the public of her demise.

Dorothy and her friends can even be seen walking down the Yellow Brick Road on their way to meet the Wizard, as was depicted in the 1939 movie.

The events of The Wizard of Oz will predominantly shape Wicked Part Two, which is being released in 2025 and adapts the second half of the West End musical. Without giving too much away, the next film will explain the origins of Dorothy's friends the Tin Man and Scarecrow, with Part One doing the same for the Cowardly Lion.

Aspects of the original story, like the death of Elphaba's sister —aka the Wicked Witch of the East— will also be included in the narrative of Part Two, as is Dorothy's journey to meet The Wizard. The difference is that the story is told from Elphaba and Glinda's point of view, and as a result viewers will realise that not all is as it seems.

Wicked Part One premieres in UK cinemas on Friday, 22 November.