Wicked 2 Must Show Elphaba’s Animal Crusade!

by

In November 2025, the continuation of “Wicked: For Good” is set to arrive, offering even more chances to innovate and build upon the success of the initial half that was warmly received last year on Broadway. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera as the upcoming Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, respectively, “Wicked” has garnered impressive box office figures, critical praise, and Oscar nods, making it seem nearly flawless. Interestingly, this sequel that tells half of the story is almost as long as the entire musical itself.

The climactic part of Wicked lays the foundation for its sequel, where Elphaba becomes seen as the Wizard’s (Jeff Goldblum) adversary, a portrayal intended to conceal her quest for justice against injustice. However, the stage version of Wicked 2‘s narrative has consistently omitted substantial aspects of Elphaba’s actual crusade. The 2024 movie adaptation of Wicked incorporated some new scenes, yet largely adhered to the musical‘s first act, leaving many questioning where the additional screen time was allocated. Nevertheless, this implies that more significant alterations will occur in the upcoming film, and one such change is crucial for Elphaba’s character and the story’s central themes.

Wicked: For Good Should Definitely Show Elphaba Actually Helping Oz’s Animals

What Elphaba Has Been Doing This Whole Time Is Supposed To Be Really Important

In essence, Elphaba’s flight and transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West stem primarily from her compassionate heart for the enchanted creatures of Oz. Unwilling to tolerate or support the suppressive actions of the Wizard (Michelle Yeoh) and Madame Morrible, she becomes a fugitive. In the song “Wonderful” during Wicked‘s second act, the Wizard attempts to justify his actions by claiming he is merely fulfilling the desires of Oz’s people. However, this defense rings hollow when one considers that his actions are not just about maintaining a positive image but also inflicting harm upon others.

Elphaba appears to embark on her journey with a broad and sturdy purpose: overthrowing the Wizard’s rule and aiding the animals. In the musical, it is hinted that Elphaba aids animals in escaping capture while she is an outlaw. A lyric from the song “Thank Goodness” implies that Elphaba is associating with “rebel animals,” suggesting that the animals’ situation in Oz has worsened since the conclusion of Act 1. Displaying these occurrences on screen would make the storyline more concrete and engaging.

On stage, Elphaba primarily assists the animals she champions only during specific moments, such as when she goes back to the Emerald City to liberate the Wizard’s monkey troop – a decision that may also stem from her desire to impede Glinda and Fiyero’s (Jonathan Bailey in the film) wedding. Incidentally, Elphaba also attempts to inspire one of the monkeys to speak again, although it doesn’t yield much progress. This subplot in the musical serves to underscore Elphaba’s ethical stance, but it often plays a secondary role compared to the narrative focusing on personal relationships.

Wicked Can Showcase How Oz’s Animal Population Views The Wicked Witch Entirely Differently

The Wicked Witch Of The West Is A Narrative Directed At Only Part Of Oz

It’s also worth noting that both on stage and in the first “Wicked” movie, it appears that most of Oz fears Elphaba and has been brainwashed into believing she’s wicked, a manipulation by the Wizard to preserve his power. This idea is crucial because it shows that the dominant part of society believes this, making life perilous for Elphaba. Meanwhile, the animals are still losing their rights and their ability to communicate, which continues unabated throughout these events.

If the script for Wicked 2 included scenes depicting the struggles and survival efforts of various animal communities under their oppressive regime, it would offer a fresh perspective on Elphaba’s character. This would underscore that she is not only helping someone like herself but also those who are being unfairly treated by the system. When they too face persecution, Elphaba’s predicament becomes more relatable and highlights that this regime exploits many, not just her.

Elphaba Wanting To Help The Animal Population Is Supposed To Be The Whole Point

Wicked’s Socio-Political Storyline Is Reflected Upon The Animals

Elphaba draws parallels with real-life histories and social-political matters through her exploration of themes such as propaganda, oppression, and privilege. By depicting the suffering of animals, she illustrates how a corrupt government exploits certain sections of society to favor those who wield more power at the top. Throughout her life, Elphaba has empathized with the animals she encounters due to her own experiences of being outcast. Growing up under challenging circumstances has sensitized her to her surroundings, causing her to actively oppose injustice whenever she encounters it.>

Giving Elphaba’s character development a connection to her friendship with Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) and her empathy for his cause adds depth to her personality, but it can seem somewhat shallow when the narrative aims to emphasize her as the central figure. However, the animal storyline is intended to represent Wicked and Elphaba grappling with significant issues, which explains why it feels strange that it often takes a backseat in the musical’s plot.

By focusing on the animals, the story aims to portray Elphaba and her world dealing with weighty themes – this may be the reason for the oddity of the animal subplot not being more prominent in the musical.

Wicked’s Movie Has Already Done A Decent Job Of Expanding The Animals Storyline

The Source Material Provides Limited Opportunities, But 2024’s Wicked Highlighted Animal Characters

In the initial Wicked film, there was a commendable attempt to make the animal characters more significant, although they were still cast in supporting roles due to the need for narrative coherence. Dr. Dillamond’s character, in particular, was given greater importance and was depicted discussing broader issues affecting other animals, rather than just focusing on Elphaba’s storyline.

The filmmakers transformed the Nanny character from the “Wicked” book into Dulcibear (portrayed by Sharon D. Clarke). This character strengthens Elphaba’s backstory, revealing a crucial figure in her early life who was an animal – essentially, the only nurturing parent she ever had. Additionally, the presence of animal staff within the Thropp family adds depth to the portrayal of animals in this society, offering a glimpse into their role before the main storyline unfolds, just as things begin to deteriorate significantly.

In the Ozdust Ballroom scene from the movie, we see a lesser-known yet impactful moment, where the band symbolizes an underground society thriving beyond oppressive laws. Animals are at the heart of this event, showcasing their musical abilities. It’s probable that the spin-off Wicked: For Good will provide additional such glimpses into the animals’ lives, offering a more detailed portrayal. However, significant alterations might also be implemented to emphasize key aspects of the story.

Read More

2025-04-29 01:19