10 Biggest Changes Between 'Wicked: For Good' and the Sta...

The 10 Biggest Changes Between 'Wicked: For Good' and the Stage Show, Ranked

Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande on a podium with trumpets in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

By Michael Block Published 2 minutes ago Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts! On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK. In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Wicked: For Good.Theater lovers waited for nearly two decades for Wicked to finally make its big screen debut. And thank goodness director Jon M. Chu was able to expand the beloved musical into two parts, so nothing from the Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman musical would be sacrificed. What's even better is that, with more room to build the visually stunning universe, elements from Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West could be incorporated into the film. With fans flocking to the cinema to check out part two, we can now officially talk freely and openly about the beautiful second part of Elphaba and Glinda's story.

Wicked: For Good brought the musical's second act to life. With more room to play in the Land of Oz and the ability to surprise fans along the way, fans have noticed some major changes from stage to screen. From new songs to expanded backstories to an ending that left audiences needing a Kleenex, Wicked: For Good has left audiences truly changed... for good.

10 'Wicked: For Good' Features New Songs

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) sings 'No Place Like Home' in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Like nearly every stage-to-screen adaptation, new music is inevitable. But Stephen Schwartz didn't skimp on new music for part two. No, no. He gave our favorite witches each a new solo! Let's begin with Elphaba's (Cynthia Erivo) new song, "No Place Like Home." The new song finds its way into the story in the new scene in which Elphaba discovers a group of animals escaping Oz via a tunnel under the Yellow Brick Road. Her song is a plea to convince the animals to stay. As she tries to get them to listen and form a united front, her plan fails when a certain cowardly kitten arrives, but we'll talk about him soon.

For Glinda (Ariana Grande), her song is called "The Girl in the Bubble." A moment of true internal reflection, the song comes at a point when Glinda contemplates her new public persona versus how she feels internally. Through her new solo, she concludes that she must pursue Elphaba at Kiamo Ko. Furthermore, the bubble plays a much larger part in Glinda's arc as the machine, which was gifted to her by The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), was a way to hide her "magical deficiencies." It's an important plot point, as the idea of Glinda as the force of good protecting Oz from Elphaba's dark magic. Operated by a foot pedal, it's all perception as she, too, is part of the fraud in Oz. She is not as magical as they believe.

9 Act II Songs Have Major Musical Changes

Elphaba, Glinda, and the Wizard dance beneath a mechanical wizard head in "Wonderful" in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

We could debate it if you'd like, but it's universally agreed upon that the songs from Wicked's first act are far superior to its second act. It's common for most musicals. That being said, all the songs from Act II not only made it into Wicked: For Good, but some underwent major changes or minor tweaks. Let's begin at the top of the act. Leading into what is normally simply known as "Thank Goodness," Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) is given some of the ensemble's lyrics, before reprises of Act I songs, "The Wizard and I," "What Is This Feeling," and "Popular" are sprinkled in. Additionally, Madame Morrible's verse has been cut, which, vocally, might have been good for Yeoh.

Next, the Wizard's big song, "Wonderful," used to be a song sung alongside Elphaba. Now it's a trio moment, as Glinda has joined in. Furthermore, the lyrics have been altered for a more politically tinged beginning, in which the Wizard alludes to his carny past. Next, in Nessarose's (Michelle Bode) solo, "The Wicked Witch of the East," her lyrics have been adjusted. Her previous lyric, "longing to kick up my heels," has been revised to better align with a more progressive portrayal of disability.

And now, to the most shocking change for Wicked fans. "No Good Deed," Elphaba's solo in which she casts a spell in order to save Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), has faced a massive and crucial change. The song has been notorious for her screaming out, "Fiyero" at the beginning of the song. Not anymore! Instead, that scream now belongs to Glinda. Though it may seem like a minor change, it elicited shocked reactions from Ozians watching in theaters.

8 Elphaba Frees the Animals

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) fights the Ozian guards in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Since much has changed in the act break on stage, most of the exposition of that timeline used to be explained in lines and lyrics about Elphaba's "acts of wickedness." Chu opted not to just tell us about them; he showed us! At the beginning of the film, The Wizard forces the animals to build his road of yellow bricks. As they engage in physical labor, we see Elphaba freeing animals forced to build the Yellow Brick Road.

With her magic in flight, she also writes, "The Wizard Lies" in the sky. Though Madame Morrible changes it to "Oz Dies" with her skills of weather manipulation. This expands the cover-up and propaganda that is being fed to the people. The change shifts the perspective of the citizens of Oz's hivemind, as we know the "acts of wickedness" are anything but.

7 The Animals of Oz Play a Bigger Part

The Cowardly Lion (voiced by Coleman Domingo) in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Animals are a major metaphor within Wicked: For Good. Take, for instance, the flying monkeys. Elphaba's pretties get much more to do, including telling Fiyero where Elphaba flies off to following "As Long As You're Mine," as well as serving as a dramatic backdrop during "No Good Deed." They also serve to whisk Madame Morrible to her imprisonment at the end of the film. Another character, Dulicbear (Sharon D. Clarke), Elphaba's former nanny, who only appeared in the novel and Wicked: Part One, makes an appearance during "No Place Like Home" as she and Elphaba have a heartfelt, yet brief reunion.

As we know from Wicked: Part One, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) is a crucial factor in Elphaba's desire to change Oz and protect the animals' rights. On stage, Dr. Dillamond essentially disappears, as does the subplot. Not in Wicked: For Good! At the end of the film, to help Glinda receive her "good" moniker, she reinstates all the animals back to their previous jobs. This includes Dr. Dillamond back as a teacher. Now, while we do see him, he does not speak. So, no Peter Dinklage vocally in the sequel. It is a strange decision, since his whole plotline was about losing his voice, but alas.

Leading up to the film's debut, Chu teased that a major LGBTQ+ icon would voice the Cowardly Lion. Lo and behold, it was the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo. Though the character doesn't speak in the stage show, he certainly has a lot to say in the film. We hear him speak to the other animals about how Elphaba took him from his home and left him in the woods, earning his terrified traits. This reflection of resentment plays a crucial part in the Lion's arc. In the musical, it's the Tin Man, who we know is Boq (Ethan Slater), who speaks for the Cowardly Lion, who is only represented by his tail.

6 Nessarose Doesn't Walk, She Flies!

Nessarosa (Marissa Bode) flying in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Perhaps the biggest character change from stage to screen is that of Nessarose. Played by Marissa Bode, a wheelchair user, the character has been wonderfully adjusted for Bode, a request fans have been makingfor ages. No longer does Nessa long to be able-bodied. Instead of wishing for her sister to give her the ability to walk, she emotionally recants about the night she danced with Boq at the Ozdust. The new lyrics include, "That night when I felt I was floating on air, I want to feel that again."

In the musical, this moment is used to see Nessa being able to leave her chair and walk. In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba helps her fly. She literally makes her sister float in the air. Sadly, it was only a temporary moment, as magic cannot heal all wounds as she comes back down and back into her wheelchair again.

5 'Wicked: For Good' Introduces Young Glinda

Scarlett Spears as Young Glinda talking to someone off-camera in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

In Wicked: Part One, audiences were given a glimpse into Elphaba's past as we saw young Elphie (Karis Musongole). Now, the time has come for the world to be introduced to young Glinda. Played by the adorably dimpled Scarlett Spears, the inclusion of the scene brings further insight into Glinda's dreams and desire to actually have magic and do something truly wonderful and meaningful with her life.

In the new scene, young Glinda hopes to impress her friends by pretending that she created a rainbow by magic. Of course, privately, she knows that she does not have such powers. The sequence unlocks a newfound ambition and vulnerability in the character, exposing her insecurities and her jealousy toward Elphaba. All Glinda ever wanted was to have special powers.

4 Fiyero and Glinda's On-Screen Wedding

Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) have a wedding in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Though it may seem like a minor change, one major new addition is Elphaba's visit to Glinda on her wedding night. The scene serves as the lead-up to "Wonderful" with The Wizard and both witches. The scene, showing Elphie falling briefly back under the Wizard's spell, gives us a chance to see the friends-turned-foes realign through The Wizard's promise to no longer discriminate against animals. Unfortunately, this promise was a lie as she discovers Dr. Dillamond and other animals locked in a hidden room near the Wizard's primary chambers. The brief moment of solitude is broken as Elphaba once again vows to fight the Wizard until the day she dies. She sets the animals loose, which then leads us to our next massive change in the film.

Now we all know that Glinda and Fiyero say, "I Do," but Wicked: For Good gives us a chance to see them actually tie the knot. Well, if they had gotten that far. Of course, this wedding did not go off without a hitch. Upon setting the animals free, they crash the nuptials, stampeding just as Glinda is walking down the aisle. The moment serves as a catalyst for Fiyero and Glinda not reaching the altar. This scene is pivotal, bringing more depth and dimension to the progression of our failed bride and groom. For Fiyero, it brings the emotional drive for him to follow and fight for Elphaba. For Glinda, this brings great pain and displeasure, but furthers her decision to aid Madame Morrible and The Wizard in capturing her friend.

3 Madame Morrible Conjures Up the Infamous Tornado

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible surrounded by flying monkeys in Wicked.Image via Universal Pictures

If there is anyone who is truly wicked in this story, it's Madame Morrible. We knew early on that she had a hidden agenda, with her strong ability to play coy. Through some whimsical weather manipulation, we learned her abilities were strong. Knowing the action from The Wizard of Oz and how a twister brought Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) there, we all but presumed it was just a typical weather occurrence in Kansas. Not the case! It was Morrible all along. That "change in the weather" was Morrible's doing. Close sleuths who pay attention to the filmmaking will notice that Morrible, in full vibrant color, conjures the tornado, which is shown in sepia tone like in The Wizard of Oz. Anyway, we get to see it in all its glory as the weather was used to frame Elphaba for the death of her sister.

As a woman of vast knowledge, Madame Morrible had been the source of much necessary exposition. But in Wicked: For Good, a big revelation no longer comes from her. A major change in the film is how Elphaba earned her powers. Toward the end, The Wizard learns that he is Elphaba's father. In the stage show, it was Madame Morrible who revealed that Elphaba "was a child of both worlds." Now, it's Glinda who spills the tea.

2 A Little More Dorothy

The Tin Man, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow face the Wizard in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

While Wicked is the origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West, Maguire's novel does lead up to the arrival of Dorothy Gale, the little girl from Kansas. From stage to screen, there are some tweaks in Dorothy's presence. What has not changed is that you will continue not to see her face. Though played by Bethany Weaver, Dorothy is only represented by the iconic blue gingham dress and her little dog Toto. In this version of the story, Dorothy has her dog on a leash. With animal cruelty being a major factor, Elphaba and Glinda's disdain for the young girl may be indirectly tied to his moment.

Dorothy follows through on the pivotal moments that define her presence in Oz. In both the stage show and the film, Dorothy's shadow appears as she throws a bucket of water onto Elphaba. Yet, beyond that, she is seen prominently during "March of the Witch Hunters," as well as her racing toward the Wizard's hot air balloon at the end of the film.

1 The Final Scene

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda in a meadow look at the horizon in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

The heart of this film is about friendship. We've gone on a nearly five-hour journey across two films with Elphaba and Glinda because their bond is one we wish to all have. Their relationship is the true foundation of Wicked. Since the world was introduced to the song "For Good," we've found a beautifully penned song that speaks to the heart of friendships. At the end of the song on stage, their final words to one another are rushed before Elphaba is "melted" by Dorothy. In Wicked: For Good, Chu gives our characters a moment. A touching moment that will resonate and stick with us forever. Rather than a harried send-off, they exchange a heartfelt "I love you." A single three-word phrase is enough for you to sob. It serves as a perfect button.

Now, to the final image of the movie. On stage, the musical ends with Elphaba and Fiyero walking off together as Glinda stands alone. As sweet as that might be, Chu gave us something to really geek out over. Wicked: For Good brings us a flashback of Glinda, adorned in a white hooded jacket, whispering into Elphaba's ear. This moment is a direct reflection of the musical's show poster, which has been the heart of the show since its Broadway debut. Fan service or not, it was a wonderful way to end a magical movie.

Like Follow Followed Wicked: For Good PG Drama Fantasy Romance 8 10 Release Date November 21, 2025 Runtime 137 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire

Cast

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Cynthia Erivo Elphaba
Ariana Grande Glinda

Producers Marc Platt, David Stone Prequel(s) Wicked Genres Drama, Fantasy, Romance Main Genre Fantasy Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions, Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Executive Producer(s) David Nicksay, Dana Fox, Jared LeBoff, Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman Powered by

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