‘Wicked’ Easter Eggs for Your Second (or Third) Watch

As someone who has grown up with both the enchanting world of Oz and its darker prequel, I must say that the release of “Wicked” has been nothing short of magical. The film brings an entirely new dimension to the beloved story we all know, delving deeper into the lives of Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy’s arrival.

The global sensation known as “Wicked” has stirred excitement among viewers worldwide, leading many to rediscover or initially explore Gregory Maguire’s book series that started with “Wicked” (1995) and “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). Naturally, these works that spawned the Broadway musical and John M. Chu’s two-part film adaptation were grounded in L. Frank Baum’s original 14-book Oz series. Similar to how Maguire reimagined Baum’s work, and Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman adapted Maguire’s novel for the musical, Chu, Holzman, and Dana Fox have modernized “Wicked” further for the screen with “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good,” slated for release on Nov. 21, 2025. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, these adaptations also honor the pioneers who laid the foundation for the yellow brick road before them.

Here are the Easter eggs to look out for in Wicked — spoilers ahead.

A Universal Language

As a gamer, I’ve noticed an interesting connection between the opening logos and title cards of movies. For instance, while “The Wizard of Oz,” produced by MGM, made its debut in 1939, Universal Studios still uses the same logo they had back then. Remarkably, even the Judy Garland classic’s successor, “Wicked,” shares the same font for its title card as “The Wizard of Oz.

Fantastic Four

Initially sweeping across the landscape of Oz, it’s hard to ignore the presence of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, all characters that later play a role in the sequel film titled “Wicked: For Good“.

Ding Dong

In Munchkinland, the inhabitants joyfully mark the end of the Wicked Witch (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo). A band of children ring their bells, harmonizing to the melody of “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead,” a song originally penned for The Wizard of Oz by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.

Where Did You Get Those Shoes?

Elphaba’s (Erivo) sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), is gifted a pair of silver shoes with spiral shapes (or twisters) by her father. These are indeed the same shoes that Dorothy is eventually gifted by Glinda in the Wizard of Oz, foreshadowing Nessa’s future as the Wicked Witch of the East and the twister that eventually kills her. While some may have expected the iconic ruby slippers, those were solely the creation of MGM who thought ruby red would better showcase the capabilities of technicolor than silver. In Baum’s book, the shoes were silver and have remained silver in every subsequent adaptation, except for Return to Oz (1985) in which Disney paid a hefty fee to MGM in order to use a recreation.

In the musical “Wicked,” Ruby slippers, which aren’t exact replicas of those from MGM’s production, can be spotted among Glinda’s (portrayed by Ariana Grande) collection during the song “Popular.

History Erased

As Elphaba demolishes the symbol of power belonging to the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), following her attempts to safeguard her sister, a painting of past animal educators is unveiled behind it. This moment hints at the future captivity, exploitation, and brainwashing of animals, leading them to forget their heritage and lose the power of speech. While contemporary connections can be made from this pivotal storyline, it was a significant subplot in Maguire’s novel that underscores Dr. Dillamond’s (Peter Dinklage) apprehension about history repeating itself.

Over the Rainbow

At the conclusion of Elphaba’s ballad “The Wizard and I,” a rainbow appears. This tune, along with its thematic connection and positioning in the movie timeline, makes it a harmonious counterpart to Dorothy’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

If He Only Had a Brain

As a fan, I find Jonathan Bailey’s character, Prince Fiyero, expressing his feelings through the song “Dancing Through the Life.” Initially, it seems he’s seeking purpose and appears indifferent to introspection. However, this is a disguise for his inner turmoil. Elphaba later helps him discover his hidden potential. His carefree dance moves hint at his upcoming metamorphosis into the Scarecrow character. Notably, after their first encounter where he almost knocks Elphaba off her broom with his horse, she tells him to “get stuffed.” This phrase cleverly references the Scarecrow’s characteristic stuffing from the classic tale, The Wizard of Oz.

Confusing Courage With Wisdom

At Shiz University, the freshly appointed history professor introduces a young lion into his lecture room, arguing the merits of not teaching animals to talk and keeping them confined. Elphaba observes the cub’s fearful trembling, before using poppy pollen to put both the professor and class into a deep slumber, with Fiyero being unaffected. This incident provides an explanation for why Scarecrow was the only one who didn’t fall asleep in the poppy field in “The Wizard of Oz.” Elphaba flees from the scene with the cub on a bicycle – a tribute to Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch in “The Wizard of Oz.” Later, Elphaba and Fiyero secretly release the lion cub into the forest, allowing it to live freely and eventually learn to speak. Dorothy encounters the now grown lion in that same woodland, but the trauma he experienced as a cub left an enduring impact on him.

An Impractical Heart

In the musical Wicked, Boq Woodsman (played by Ethan Slater) hints at his future transformation into the Tin Man through his frequent tears and carrying a red handkerchief in his left pocket. This change is linked to his complex feelings for Nessa, while he continues to harbor feelings for Glinda. The film portrays Boq as a more compassionate character, revealing that he genuinely cares for Nessa and befriends her, along with Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero. Ultimately, Boq is compelled into a relationship with Nessa upon meeting her father, which causes internal turmoil for him. Although Boq is not inherently heartless, his heart will ultimately be affected.

Strange Weather

Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) reveals she has the power to change the weather, protecting Elphaba from getting rained on before she goes to meet The Wizard. This act, made simply to prevent Elphaba from getting her hair and clothes ruined by the rain, becomes the foundation of the urban legend that the Wicked Witch is allergic to water. Additionally, it’s an act of weather that ultimately brings Dorothy to Oz, killing Nessa and further positioning Elphaba’s former teacher to become her greatest adversary alongside the Wizard.

Here’s to the OGs

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who initially played Elphaba and Glinda in the musical Wicked on Broadway, make memorable appearances during the song “One Short Day.” In this scene, they narrate the tale of the Wizard’s arrival in Oz. They also have the chance to showcase their stage characters while performing duets with their successors, Erivo and Grande.

The Blue Brick Road

In a scene exclusive to the film version of “Wicked,” the character known as The Wizard seeks assistance from Elphaba and Glinda in choosing the color for the pathway leading to Oz. After considering multiple possibilities – blue, red, green, and violet – it is Glinda who proposes yellow as the final decision.

Flying Monkeys

Within the radiant Emerald Palace, under the Wizard’s persuasion, Elphaba unintentionally breeds the Winged Monkeys. This act brings a wave of remorse over Elphaba as she witnesses their suffering, while the Wizard envisions them as spies to maintain his grip on Oz. Madame Morrible swiftly pins the blame for the monkeys’ transformation on Elphaba and orders them to pursue her. As we are familiar with from the tale of The Wizard of Oz, these agile creatures later become synonymous with the Wicked Witch. In Maguire’s book, Elphaba intentionally produces the Winged Monkeys as part of her research on the essence of the soul, hoping to uncover what distinguishes humans from animals.

The Man Behind the Curtain

In the story of “The Wizard of Oz”, the Wizard advises the Tin Man that a heart isn’t measured by one’s own love but by how much others love you. In contrast, the Wizard in “Wicked” distorts this message, relying on admiration for his power retention while lacking personal affection. During his song “A Sentimental Man”, he subtly references this through shadow puppetry and a hidden presence, echoing the original film’s line, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” The musical “Wicked” incorporates numerous hot air balloons, symbolizing the Wizard’s arrival in Oz. In the highest tower of the Emerald Palace, there are artifacts from his past on Earth, such as a cart with his real name, Oscar Diggs, written on it. Known as Professor Marvel in “The Wizard of Oz”, the character Oscar Diggs may be familiar to moviegoers from Disney’s adaptation of “Wicked” called “Oz the Great and Powerful” (2013). However, L. Frank Baum disclosed the Wizard’s true name in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”; he was initially trying to shorten his name to his initials, but found it spelled out as Oz Pinhead, eventually settling on simply being called: Oz.

2024-12-23 20:56