There’s One Change Wicked Made from the Broadway Show I’d Really Wondered About, But I Think Jon M. Chu’s Answer Makes Total Sense

by

Before the release of the “Wicked” movie, it was well known among Broadway fans that they had memorized every line and rhythm from the original soundtrack. They would be comparing this film adaptation closely against the source material. As our review of “Wicked” shows, the initial chapter of this two-part adaption indeed lives up to the hype by faithfully bringing the cherished stage production to life. However, I found myself pondering a modification made to “Dancing Through Life,” a change that the director has since addressed with an explanation that seems reasonable.

In Fiyero’s memorable song sequence, he enquires, “By the way, where’s the most stylish spot in town?” Instead of Glinda revealing the Ozdust ballroom, this interaction doesn’t occur in the movie as stated by director Jon M. Chu, who explains the reason behind it.

What I’m getting at is that line was fantastic, and we exchanged ideas numerous times, possibly even hinting at his character shooting that line at some juncture. The challenge for us was Fiyero had to stir things up in the school, making him the central figure rather than providing him with information about the most stylish location in town. Indeed, it was a tough nut to crack. We experimented with different approaches multiple times.

Now, this makes sense! In the movie adaptation, Fiyero is a character who approaches Shiz University and immediately says it falls on him to “corrupt my fellow students”. With that in mind, the story would flow better if it’s him who introduces the students to the Ozdust Ballroom rather than them already knowing about it. While I love the line in the original Broadway musical, I didn’t necessarily miss it in the movie, and Chu’s explanation, which he shared with BuzzFeed UK, is enough for me.

Upon examining fan reactions towards the alteration, I discovered that opinions were somewhat split, yet many align with my perspective. One Instagram user expressed they “got the rationale behind its removal,” but “felt it should have been incorporated somewhere, perhaps more elegantly.” Others proposed various ways to implement this enhancement, with one idea being Glinda could have delivered it instead. Another comment read, ” frankly, I didn’t find it impressive in the first place. Leaving it out was fine!

Regardless of any dialogue differences, the film adaptation of Wicked has been warmly received by fans and even those who were unfamiliar with the Broadway production’s music. One of TopMob’s writers went as far as to prefer the movie over the Broadway play after having attended two versions of the live event in the past.

So far, only half of the Wicked musical adaptation has been shown to audiences. Actor Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, warns that viewers should expect a change in tone as they move into the events of the second half. This shift will be noticeable after the movie ends, when Elphaba decides to challenge gravity and steal Oz’s sacred book of spells from the Wizard following her discovery of truths about the Emerald City. Fans of the Broadway production are aware that Fiyero has a significant character development ahead, and it seems this will reveal why Bailey uses blue contacts in the film. Throughout this journey, we’ll also watch for any additional dialogue alterations.

Make sure to mark your calendar for November 21, as you’ll have a chance to watch “Wicked” in theaters and via Premium Video On Demand (PVOD). Additionally, don’t forget to explore other movies scheduled for release in 2025.

Read More

2025-01-12 00:12