Wicked Movie Cast
Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, focusing on the unlikely friendship between Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch). This film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical explores themes of friendship, love, and the corrupting nature of power, all set against the magical backdrop of the Land of Oz.
Main Cast of Wicked
Cynthia Erivo
Elphaba Thropp
Ariana Grande
Galinda/Glinda Upland
Jonathan Bailey
Fiyero Tigelaar
Michelle Yeoh
Madame Morrible
Jeff Goldblum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Ethan Slater
Boq
Marissa Bode
Nessarose
Peter Dinklage
Dr. Dillamond
Supporting Cast
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Erivo | Elphaba | The misunderstood girl with green skin who becomes the Wicked Witch |
| Ariana Grande | Glinda | Popular student who becomes Glinda the Good |
| Jonathan Bailey | Fiyero | Charming prince and love interest |
| Michelle Yeoh | Madame Morrible | Shiz University's headmistress |
| Jeff Goldblum | The Wizard | The not-so-wonderful Wizard of Oz |
| Bowen Yang | Pfannee | Shiz University student |
| Bronwyn James | ShenShen | Shiz University student |
| Keala Settle | Miss Coddle | Shiz University professor |
About Wicked
Wicked is one of the most anticipated movie musicals of the decade, bringing the beloved Broadway phenomenon to the big screen. Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), the film is being released in two parts, with Part One arriving in November 2024 and Part Two following in November 2025.
The casting of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles generated significant excitement. Erivo, a Tony and Grammy winner, brings her powerful vocals and dramatic prowess to Elphaba, while Grande, a pop superstar with Broadway roots, embodies the bubbly yet complex Glinda.
From Stage to Screen
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, Wicked has been a Broadway sensation since 2003. The film adaptation has been in development for years, with Universal Pictures finally bringing the project to life with a reported budget of over $300 million for both parts.
Musical Legacy
The film features all the beloved songs from the Broadway show, including "Defying Gravity," "Popular," and "For Good," with Stephen Schwartz returning to oversee the music. The production also includes elaborate practical sets, including a real-life Emerald City and Shiz University campus built in the UK.
About Wicked
Wicked is a film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, itself based on Gregory Maguire's novel. It tells the story of Elphaba and Galinda, two students at Shiz University who become unlikely friends and then part ways under pressure, eventually known to the world as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Adaptation approach
The film splits the stage musical's first act into a feature-length film, with a second film completing the second act. That decision lets the production give each major number room to breathe and reorchestrate the score for full studio recording, while preserving the structural arc audiences know from the theatre version.
Casting
Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba and Ariana Grande plays Galinda. Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero, with Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James in supporting roles. Both leads recorded their vocals live during filming for several numbers, which is unusual for studio musicals.
Production
The film is directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Universal Pictures. Production design includes large practical sets in addition to visual-effects work, particularly for Shiz, the Emerald City, and the field sequences. The film was shot in Buckinghamshire, England.
Where to watch
Wicked was released theatrically in late 2024 by Universal. Following the standard theatrical window, the film is available on premium video-on-demand platforms and on Universal's partner streaming services.
Related cast pages
Viewers who liked Wicked often also look up the Barbie cast, the Anyone But You cast, and the Across the Spider-Verse cast.