Summary:
- Wicked reimagines The Wizard of Oz, focusing on the backstory of Elphaba and Glinda.
- The 2024 film adapts Wicked’s first act, offering a detailed origin of Oz and the Grimmerie.
- The Wizard’s rise to power and systemic oppression play a central role in Oz’s history.
- Themes include societal discrimination, political corruption, and moral ambiguity.
The 2024 Wicked movie breathes new life into the beloved Wizard of Oz story, diving deep into the history of Oz and its magical origins. This first installment of a two-part adaptation explores the rise of Elphaba and Glinda, revealing how Oz’s fantastical society became the stage for Dorothy’s journey.
The Origins of Oz: Grimmerie, Wise Ones, and Darkness
The origins of Oz in Wicked are recounted through the musical sequence “One Short Day.” During this performance, Elphaba and Glinda witness a play in the Emerald City that explains the history of their world.
- The Magical Wise Ones and the Grimmerie:
Long before Elphaba‘s time, two beings known as the Magical Wise Ones ruled Oz. As their lives neared their end, they wrote down their magical knowledge in a book called the Grimmerie, encoded in a secret language. This book holds immense power and becomes central to Wicked’s plot. - The Dark Period:
After the deaths of the Magical Wise Ones, the ability to read the Grimmerie faded. Oz fell into chaos as its magical potential went untapped. However, the Wise Ones prophesied that a chosen individual would one day unlock its secrets. This prophecy is fulfilled during Wicked, with Elphaba emerging as the key figure capable of restoring Oz’s magic. - Connection to Oz’s Governance:
Oz’s political structure also traces its roots to this period. Before the Wizard‘s arrival, rulers like Queen Lurline and King Pastoria governed the land. Queen Lurline enchanted Oz into a magical fairyland, leaving a legacy of wonder. However, when the Wizard arrived, he seized power, hiding the rightful heir, Princess Ozma, and restructuring Oz under his authoritarian rule.
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The Wizard’s Rise: From Omaha to Emerald City
At the heart of Wicked lies the Wizard’s transformation from a traveling magician to Oz’s ruler.
- The Wizard’s Arrival:
Before Elphaba’s birth, the Wizard arrived in Oz, likely decades prior. He capitalized on his charisma and facade of magical prowess to establish dominance. The Emerald City became his base, a symbol of his control and propaganda. - Ruling Through Fear and Oppression:
The Wizard utilized fear to solidify his reign. He initiated campaigns against the sentient animals of Oz, suppressing them to prevent rebellion. His collaboration with Madame Morrible and manipulation of Glinda highlight his willingness to exploit others to maintain power. - Elphaba’s Resistance:
As Elphaba uncovers the Wizard’s true nature, she becomes a symbol of rebellion. Far from being inherently wicked, her actions are driven by a desire to confront injustice, contrasting with the Wizard’s moral decay.
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How Wicked’s History Reimagines Oz?
The 2024 Wicked film reinterprets Oz’s past while integrating key elements from L. Frank Baum’s novels and the 1939 film adaptation.
- Easter Eggs and Connections:
The movie offers nods to The Wizard of Oz, setting up the arrival of Dorothy and her companions. For example, the Emerald City’s grandeur and the Wizard’s tactics foreshadow Dorothy’s eventual journey. - Key Changes from the Books:
While Wicked introduces new elements like the Magical Wise Ones, it retains significant themes from Baum’s stories. The inclusion of the Grimmerie and its prophecy provides a fresh narrative layer, tying Oz’s fate to Elphaba’s destiny. - Exploration of Themes:
Unlike Baum’s novels, which focused on adventure, Wicked delves into complex societal issues. Discrimination, political corruption, and the nature of power are explored through Elphaba’s struggles, making the story a commentary on modern-day challenges.
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The 2024 Wicked movie reshapes the history of Oz, offering a richer, more intricate backdrop to the events of The Wizard of Oz. Through its focus on Elphaba’s journey and the Wizard’s rise, the film challenges traditional narratives of good and evil, emphasizing themes of acceptance, identity, and resistance.
Source: Time
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