Elizabeth Gelber is an aspiring film and television producer and writer with a love for all things media, from music to fashion to entertainment. With a background in Television, Radio, and Film, as well as Fashion Communications, she is passionate about telling female-led stories that empower and resonate. Her work blends wit with empathy, aiming to humanize entertainment through an authentic lens. She believes the most powerful narratives are often rooted in everyday life, and she is drawn to creating media that reflects the world as it truly is, diverse, imperfect, and meaningful.
Jul 8, 2025
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The Hollywood Insider Wicked Part Two
The two-part film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ is changing the landscape of the movie musical and breathing life back into the art of the musical blockbuster.
When the first trailer for ‘Wicked: Part Two – For Good’ dropped, it sparked an undeniable buzz, confirming what many fans and even skeptics had begun to hope: Universal Pictures’ ambitious two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical might just be a game-changer for the movie musical genre itself.
Since its Broadway debut in 2003, ‘Wicked’ has soared to legendary status in pop culture, captivating audiences with its rich storytelling, Stephen Schwartz’s iconic score, and the magnetic, central relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). However, adapting musicals for the screen has historically been riddled with challenges, including pacing issues, tonal inconsistencies, awkward transitions between dialogue and song, and the struggle to preserve the magic of live performance on camera. Hollywood’s track record with musical adaptations has always been a bit of a mixed bag; for every triumph like ‘Chicago’, ‘Les Misérables’, or ‘Mamma Mia’, recent years have unfortunately seen unperformance in films such as ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ or ‘Cats’. Given these past struggles, Universal’s decision to split ‘Wicked’ into two films, a move initially met with confusion and skepticism, is now proving to be a stroke of genius. This strategic split generously allows the filmmakers to fully realize the epic scale of the narrative, providing much-needed breathing room for characters to develop, emotional arcs to flourish, and musical numbers to truly shine.
The original stage production of ‘Wicked’ clocks in at about two and a half hours, including intermission. But trying to cram the full scope of Elphaba’s transformation, from a misunderstood school girl to the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, along with the story derived from the 1995 American novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, into a single film would have necessitated ruthless trimming and unfortunate omissions. Director Jon M. Chu revealed that as they developed the production, it became strikingly clear that it would be “impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it”. He acknowledged that any decision to cut beloved songs or trim essential characters felt like a fatal compromise to the original score and script. This realization led the team to make the crucial choice: to give themselves the narrative space needed to tell the story precisely as it was meant to be told, thereby infusing even more depth and magic into this cherished tale.
Splitting the film into two parts allows for a far greater focus on every character, preventing them from being reduced to mere archetypes. Chu underscored this, stating that with more space, they “can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys of these beloved characters”. The first film, released in November 2024, culminates in Elphaba’s dramatic rendition of “Defying Gravity”. This powerhouse song serves as the natural midpoint for both the stage musical and its expansive narrative arc, acting as the iconic climax of the stage show and a clear geographical halfway point for the cinematic experience. By concluding Part One with such a pivotal moment, the filmmakers ingeniously build anticipation and raise the stakes for an emotionally charged, thrilling second act. This thoughtful approach stands in stark contrast to traditional musical adaptations, which often resort to cutting crucial plot points, shrinking vital character development, and, unfortunately, omitting beloved songs.
With two films, director Jon M. Chu and screenwriter Winnie Holzman, who also wrote the book for the stage musical, have been able to honor the original pacing.
In Part One, musical numbers like “Dancing Through Life” and “Popular” were given full theatrical staging, immersing audiences and allowing them to truly absorb the story through captivating performance. The ‘Wicked’ film wisely embraced its theatrical origins and didn’t attempt to transform itself into something it’s not. For audiences less familiar with the stage musical or theater in general, splitting the film into two parts might initially seem audacious. Convincing non-theater fans to see not just one, but two movies could appear to be quite a feat. Yet, the carefully considered choices made for these films, from the narrative division to the brilliant casting and superb production value, have left audiences undeniably hungry for more, creating what can only be described as a “Pink and Green phenomenon”. By strategically splitting the films, audiences new to the story aren’t left confused and overwhelmed by a rushed storyline, while longtime fans are treated to even richer content. And with its powerful themes of friendship, resilience, love, change, and, of course, award-winning music, these movies truly offer something for everybody.
At its very core, ‘Wicked’ is a poignant tale centered on Elphaba and Glinda’s evolving friendship. The two-part film adaptation provides the expansive canvas needed for filmmakers to delve much deeper into their complicated relationship. Part One skillfully establishes their initial bond and Elphaba’s dawning disillusionment with the enslavement and tyranny of the Wizard’s regime. The trailer for Part Two reveals where the story will pick up, clearly indicating a passage of time and offering the crucial opportunity to explore profound themes of betrayal, discord, and ultimately, forgiveness and loss. The ample emotional space created by this two-part film format will allow the audience to truly feel the tragedy of their parting and grasp the full weight of their extraordinary friendship. The profound payoff of iconic songs like “For Good” will resonate even more powerfully, as audiences will have genuinely lived with these characters throughout an extended, open narrative arc.
‘Wicked’ is a massive property, both emotionally and thematically rich, and ‘Wicked’ as a world on screen truly embraces the expanded format and generous budget made possible by two films. The first movie showcased a breathtakingly realized Shiz University, a dazzling Emerald City, and the compelling introduction of Elphaba’s burgeoning power. The second film will delve into heavier, politically motivated content, including a growing divide in power and, ultimately, the poignant confrontation between the two witches.
Moreover, Chu’s visionary direction masterfully leans into the fantastical elements without ever sacrificing coherence. His acclaimed work on ‘In the Heights’ already proved his exceptional ability to handle large-scale musical numbers with remarkable emotional clarity, and ‘Wicked’ grants him the canvas to push that artistic sensibility even further. He profoundly understands that true spectacle must always serve the story, not the other way around.
Just like the legendary “Wiz-o-mania” that swept through the Emerald City, ‘Wicked’ has undeniably become a household name and a cultural phenomenon, thanks in no small part to its expansive marketing and press campaigns. Indeed, ‘Wicked’ has permeated pop culture, adorning store shelves, clothing racks, and cosmetic lines. This innovative two-part release structure strategically allows Universal to cultivate sustained interest over an extended period, a clever tactic mirroring the expansive franchise models of blockbusters like ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Dune’. This staggered release inherently allows for multiple, dynamic phases of engagement, including captivating teaser trailers, insightful cast interviews, highly anticipated soundtrack drops, and viral moments that cumulatively build anticipation in powerful waves, consistently garnering more attention and viewership.
In an era where audience attention is fragmented, the dual-release structure ensures that ‘Wicked’ remains a cultural conversation longer than the typical movie musical lifespan. It deftly positions the films not merely as adaptations, but as landmark events, experiences that audiences eagerly anticipate, return to, discuss at length, and which ultimately solidify ‘Wicked’s’ place in pop culture history. Just as 2023 was famously defined by the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, the twelve months between the two films are poised to be the year of ‘Wicked’.
The resounding success of ‘Wicked’ Part One and the anticipation for Part Two suggest that the movie musical genre may truly be entering an exciting new era. While not every musical inherently justifies a two-part structure, those blessed with rich source material and expansive narratives, such as ‘Hamilton’ or ‘Hadestown’, could profoundly benefit from similar thoughtful treatment. Alternatively, we might even see the broader exploration of musicals in episodic form, transforming our favorite stage shows into captivating limited series, perhaps like a future ‘Sweeney Todd’ or ‘Rent’.
Instead of cutting corners for time, filmmakers now have the invaluable opportunity to truly lean into what makes musicals so uniquely special: their profound emotional performances, inherent grandeur, and intricately woven character arcs. The fundamental key lies not merely in the division but in a truly thoughtful adaptation that prioritizes immersive storytelling, authentic performance, and deep audience engagement. The evolution of ‘Wicked’ from a beloved Broadway sensation to a groundbreaking cinematic two-part epic signifies far more than just a commercial gamble; it demonstrates a profound revitalization of how musicals are conceived and brought to the screen. As we eagerly await the release of Part Two, one thing remains brilliantly clear: ‘Wicked’ isn’t just defying gravity; it’s boldly redefining what a movie musical can truly be.
CREDITS:
Director: Jon M. Chu
Writers: Stephen Schwartz, Dana Fox, Winnie Holzman
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande
Featuring: Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater
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Elizabeth Gelber is an aspiring film and television producer and writer with a love for all things media, from music to fashion to entertainment. With a background in Television, Radio, and Film, as well as Fashion Communications, she is passionate about telling female-led stories that empower and resonate. Her work blends wit with empathy, aiming to humanize entertainment through an authentic lens. She believes the most powerful narratives are often rooted in everyday life, and she is drawn to creating media that reflects the world as it truly is, diverse, imperfect, and meaningful.
Elizabeth Gelber is an aspiring film and television producer and writer with a love for all things media, from music to fashion to entertainment. With a background in Television, Radio, and Film, as well as Fashion Communications, she is passionate about telling female-led stories that empower and resonate. Her work blends wit with empathy, aiming to humanize entertainment through an authentic lens. She believes the most powerful narratives are often rooted in everyday life, and she is drawn to creating media that reflects the world as it truly is, diverse, imperfect, and meaningful.
Elizabeth Gelber is an aspiring film and television producer and writer with a love for all things media, from music to fashion to entertainment. With a background in Television, Radio, and Film, as well as Fashion Communications, she is passionate about telling female-led stories that empower and resonate. Her work blends wit with empathy, aiming to humanize entertainment through an authentic lens. She believes the most powerful narratives are often rooted in everyday life, and she is drawn to creating media that reflects the world as it truly is, diverse, imperfect, and meaningful.
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