Marissa Bode Teases Nessarose’s Expanded Arc in ‘Wicked’ Films: ‘She’s Not Just the Bratty Little Spoiled Sister’

As a movie reviewer with a penchant for stories that resonate deeply, I must say Marissa Bode‘s journey to play Nessarose in “Wicked” is nothing short of enchanting. Her tenacity and resilience, demonstrated by creating her own short film as a distraction from disappointment, is a testament to her indomitable spirit.


I believed my chance at portraying Nessarose in “Wicked” had slipped away when I stopped receiving responses from casting, following a self-tape and several callbacks. Feeling dejected, I decided to create a small film as a means of coping with the disappointment. I shared this experience with EbMaster.

Since October was the perfect time for all things spooky and supernatural, Bode decided to focus the movie on witches and magic. “It’s essentially about transforming your misfortunes into blessings,” she reminisces. “I concocted a small charm that good tidings would soon be on their way.” In the film’s finale, there’s a sound of someone knocking at the door. “I honestly believe I inadvertently cast a spell,” she says, “because just two days later, I received a response from casting.

During her upcoming Zoom meeting with director Jon M. Chu, there was an interruption when he got up to answer his door. Exciting news had arrived, as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo barged in through the entrance, displaying a sign that read, “Welcome to Oz! Will you be our Nessa?” This is a more natural way of paraphrasing the original sentence:

Bode chuckles as he remarks, ‘The girls made of crystal seem to be on to a discovery,’ implying they might’ve inadvertently brought about a pivotal moment in time.

11-year-old Bode, who later became disabled, breaks new ground in the Universal film as the initial wheelchair user to portray Nessa. “I’m truly thrilled that it’s me taking on this role,” Bode, now 24, expresses. “Having someone accurately cast like that on screen is incredibly significant, particularly in something as extraordinary and enchanting as ‘Wicked.’

In the stage musical, Nessa initially uses a wheelchair, but later in the story, Elphaba (Erivo) performs a spell on her shoes enabling her to walk. Although Bode is tight-lipped about how this aspect will unfold in “Wicked Part Two”, she assures us that it has been handled with sensitivity. ” portraying authentically and showing an authentic disabled character is crucial, but the manner of presentation matters just as much,” she explains. “I’m thrilled with the alterations made, absolutely.

Marissa Bode Teases Nessarose’s Expanded Arc in ‘Wicked’ Films: ‘She’s Not Just the Bratty Little Spoiled Sister’

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve certainly noticed the debate swirling around the two-part structure of this upcoming film. Many movie enthusiasts, including myself, have pondered whether the narrative truly requires such an extensive expansion. However, from the perspective of the creative team, particularly Bode, it seems this decision offers a chance to delve deeper into Elphaba’s younger sister’s character, adding layers that were previously unexplored.

She points out that extending the storyline significantly adds depth to her character, as she’s not just portrayed as a bratty, spoiled sister. She elaborates that this additional time allowed the creators to delve deeper into the characters’ relationships. “This musical is undeniably stunning, and I hold it in high regard,” she notes, “but the stage production doesn’t offer many glimpses into the bond between the two sisters or their mutual affection. The film provides more of these intimate moments, which I believe is crucial. This depth makes the events in the second movie even more heart-wrenching. It humanizes Nessa as a character, revealing her genuine care for others. I think it was a brilliant move.

Regarding her future characters, Bode aims to portray ones whose disability is not their defining trait. She recalls a recent chat with a friend who said, “It’s not as if you start each day thinking, ‘I’ll eat my special-needs breakfast and get out of bed, roll in my wheelchair for the day, and go to work with my disabilities today!’ She chuckles, commenting, “I’m simply living, because that’s just life for me.

Bode is pleased that her role as Nessa will provide an accurate depiction of people with disabilities on screen, but she has even greater aspirations in the future. “I believe that seeing someone like themselves can help empower other disabled individuals to voice their concerns about accessibility and ableism, which unfortunately continue to exist in our society,” she explains. “Representation is merely the beginning when it comes to disability rights and the broader disability movement.

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2024-09-19 20:47