As a lifelong fan who has seen “The Wizard of Oz” more times than I can count and sung along to the Broadway version of “Wicked” at least as many times, I was both excited and apprehensive when I heard about the upcoming film adaptation. The first images that popped into my mind were Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the iconic yellow brick road – elements that have been etched in my memory since childhood.
The 2024 film adaptation of “Wicked,” the popular Broadway musical, has been added to the schedule. This movie version will bring the magical world of Oz to life on the cinema screen. Although it presents a stunning reinterpretation, some viewers might detect slight variations in the visuals. For instance, you’ll see altered designs for Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the famous Yellow Brick Road. These modifications are both imaginative and necessary due to considerations related to artistic freedom and managing intellectual property rights associated with “The Wizard of Oz.” Director Jon M. Chu has discussed these updates, stating that they were driven by creative choices and the challenges of dealing with the property’s copyrights.
It could come as a shock if you thought Dorothy would tap her glittering ruby heels in the new “Wicked” movie, but due to rights issues with MGM over the iconic 1939 film, the team decided instead to draw inspiration from L. Frank Baum’s original books where Dorothy’s shoes were silver. In an interview with Variety, Jon M. Chu explained that they chose to honor Baum’s vision and avoid legal entanglements by going with silver slippers for the film.
In our work, we strictly adhered to certain limitations about what elements we could draw inspiration from. For instance, instead of using the iconic ruby slippers, Nessa’s shoes are crystal slippers, similar to those described in L. Frank Baum’s book, Gregory Maguire’s book, and the show. I believe the term ‘yellow brick road’ isn’t copyrighted, but certainly the distinctive spiral shape of that road is. Consequently, we opted for a continuous circular path, symbolizing that it’s not the end of the road, but rather a part of the journey.
For Chu, the movie “Wicked” is not just a playful prequel; it’s a tale with genuine consequences, contrasting with “The Wizard of Oz,” which Chu calls “possibly a dream.” In Chu’s interpretation, Oz becomes a vibrant, realistic world with distinct societies and conflicts. This change in mood is noticeable right from the start. Chu strategically positions the audience at “the most well-known crime scene in both cinema and literature,” using the Wicked Witch’s hat lying in a puddle as a means to root the narrative in emotional and narrative complexity.
More on Wicked
A review of “Wicked”: Director Jon M. Chu grasped the musical assignment effectively, and the Broadway adaptation surpasses expectations, demonstrating a captivating defiance of gravity.
This grittier, more grounded approach reflects the heart of the play adaptation: the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda–Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo play the witches at the center of the story–and how their personal journeys shaped the Oz we know from The Wizard of Oz. The creative alterations made by the Crazy Rich Asians helmer may be a bit jarring to some viewers who revere Victor Fleming’s ’39 film, but others might find them refreshing.
Translating Stephen Schwartz’s Tony-winning play into a film was an intricate task, one that Jon M. Chu embraced by breaking the narrative into two parts. The initial installment – which has been split into two movies – delves into Elphaba and Glinda’s college years at Shiz University, laying the groundwork for the emotional and political conflicts that will unfold in Wicked Part Two, scheduled for release in 2025.
But, despite the cosmetic changes from The Wizard of Oz, Wicked stays true to its roots, even bringing back original Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth for special cameos. This nod to the musical’s legacy and the best emotionally charged songs ensures that longtime fans will feel the magic while new audiences alike will be swept into the story. You can see the film in theaters now and, if you’re feeling nostalgic, stream the iconic Oz film using a Max subscription.
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2024-11-25 17:07