Jeff Goldblum Discusses Parallels Between ‘Wicked’s Wizard of Oz And The Grandmaster

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As a seasoned film enthusiast who has had the privilege of witnessing Jeff Goldblum’s transformative performances throughout his career, I must say that his portrayal of The Wizard of Oz in the highly anticipated adaptation of the musical “Wicked” is nothing short of mesmerizing. His ability to infuse complexity and sinister undertones into iconic characters is truly commendable.

Jeff Goldblum, consistently captivating and versatile in his craft, consistently leaves audiences in awe with his varied and distinctive performances. Most recently, he portrayed Zeus in Netflix’s dark comedy series “Kaos.” However, in his most recent role, Goldblum steps into the shoes of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the highly successful film adaptation of the musical “Wicked“. Interestingly, he likens this character to his role as the Grandmaster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In the film ‘Wicked’, stories from the world of Oz become more intricate and authentic, and Jeff Goldblum’s portrayal of The Wizard of Oz is both quirky and menacing. As a deceitful character who has amassed all power, he seeks to gratify his desires by employing magic and establishing a dictatorial regime in Oz. In the movie, The Wizard serves as a manipulative force. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Goldblum compared The Wizard’s character to that of the Grandmaster.

“Everything you do leaves its residue in your nervous system and in your heart somewhere. I wanted to make this distinct, but [the Grandmaster] had some kind of avatar of himself and is a self-glorifying nincompoop. And he’s an abuser of power and has a position of authority.”

‘Wicked’s Wonderful Wizard Of Oz Is More Evil Than the Grandmaster

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Ragnarok stands out as a fan favorite due to its blend of humor, action, and signature franchise elements. Directed by Taika Waititi, it showcased the quirky ruler of Sakaar, the Grandmaster, portrayed brilliantly by Jeff Goldblum. The Grandmaster is a character who cleverly hides his cruel nature behind playfulness.

In the tale of Wicked, the character portrayed by Goldblum is not merely a humorous adversary, but his part undergoes a more sinister transformation. The figure often associated with the Wizard of Oz in this story is no benevolent monarch, but rather a merciless dictator who brutalizes and subjugates the animals of Oz to cultivate fear and discord among them. Furthermore, he wrongfully accuses Elphaba, our main character, of being the Wicked Witch, working in tandem with Madam Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh.

The storyline of “Wicked” delves deeply into topics like power, the struggle for fairness, and the misuse of power in authority. To elaborate further, Goldblum points out that the film provides an intriguing perspective on wielding power to change people’s lives positively and inspire them.

As a fervent admirer, I’d like to share a personal perspective: True power isn’t merely wielding authority, but as portrayed in this captivating film, it’s about fostering a deep connection with oneself and possessing the ability to create breathtaking moments that resonate deeply with others. That, my friends, is the essence of real power.

It’s a timeless story. Around the world there are many circumstances where not the most enlightened path is taken by leadership and others. Here we are again in this situation of the movie where I say, ‘You got to give somebody a real good enemy.’”

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2024-11-25 00:03