Wicked: For Good will conclude filmmaker Jon M. Chu's big screen take on the beloved musical. While fans of that know what to expect, there's still a lot of intrigue surrounding possible changes to the story and how key elements from The Wizard of Oz will be handled.
Rights issues mean neither the musical nor this movie can use Dorothy Gale's iconic ruby slippers, for example, though the character herself will still appear alongside Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.
Much has been said about Wicked: For Good's plans for Dorothy, including who is playing her. Judy Garland took on the role in 1939's The Wizard of Oz, of course, and we've seen multiple reports about Abigail star Alisha Weir potentially having a starring role as the new Dorothy.
Well, following last night's fan screenings, we've learned (via SFFGazette.com) that Bethany Weaver, a choreographer, dancer and actress, has been cast in the role. She choreographed the West End musical, Asmahan, and featured in the ensemble of Rumi the Musical and Broken Wings the Musical. Her face is not shown in Wicked: For Good.
Despite that, her quest to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and take the "villain's" broom to the Wizard remains a crucial part of how the story plays out, albeit as part of Elphaba and Glinda's respective arcs.
"I didn’t want to step on who you think Dorothy is in whatever story that you came into this with," Chu recently explained, adding that the sequel "is still Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, and she is a pawn in the middle of all of it."
Cynthia Erivo has shared her take on The Wizard of Oz's lead having a smaller role, saying, "I think that’s such a wonderful thing to do because then everyone gets to keep the Dorothy that they know."
Ariana Grande echoed her co-star's thoughts when she teased, "I love the little bit of shadiness that Glinda has towards Dorothy. There’s a lot going on, and she doesn’t really have time to deal with this. She could have told her to take the Emerald City train! But she didn’t. That’s a little shady, Glinda! So I leaned all the way into Glinda sort of having an eye roll for Dorothy whenever she has to deal with her."
Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good.
Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M. Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast, led by Academy Award-nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices.
Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters on November 21.