Defying Gravity: Trivia Behind the Making of Wicked

After two decades of dominating Broadway, the untold story of the Witches of Oz is finally hitting the silver screen. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film adaptation of Wicked has been a massive undertaking involving live vocals, massive practical sets, and a star-studded cast. Test your knowledge or learn something new with this deep dive into the making of the movie event of the year.

1. The Long Road to the Yellow Brick Road

• A 20-Year Wait: Universal Pictures has been trying to get this movie made since 2004. At one point, J.J. Abrams was in talks to write the script, and directors ranging from Ryan Murphy to Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) were attached to the project before Jon M. Chu took the helm.
• The Original Producers: Marc Platt, who produced the original Broadway musical, also produced the film. He wanted to ensure the integrity of the stage show was maintained during the transition to cinema.

2. Casting the Witches

• Ariana’s Manifestation: Long before she was cast as Glinda, Ariana Grande was a superfan of the musical. In 2011, she tweeted about how much she wanted to play Glinda. Years later, she went through a rigorous audition process, reportedly auditioning five times to prove she could handle the operatic demands of the role.
• Cynthia’s Coloring: Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) is just one letter away from an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). While known for her powerhouse vocals, she admitted she had to relearn how to sing for the role to balance the cinematic intimacy with the necessary Broadway belt.
• The “Green” Chemisty: Director Jon M. Chu stated that the decision to cast Erivo and Grande was solidified when he saw their immediate chemistry during screen tests. He noted that their relationship mirrored the Elphaba-Glinda dynamic: two very different women finding a deep connection.

3. Production Secrets: No Lip-Syncing Allowed

• Singing Live: In a rare move for a musical of this scale, Jon M. Chu confirmed that both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sang live on set for almost every take. While most movie musicals pre-record vocals in a studio and have actors lip-sync during filming, the leading ladies insisted on singing live to capture the raw emotion of the scenes.
• The Oscars Connection: The sound team had to invent new technology to handle the live on-set vocals, including hiding tiny microphones in wigs and costumes to ensure the audio was crisp despite the noise of wind machines and practical effects.

4. Building the World of Oz

• Practical Magic: Unlike many modern blockbusters that rely heavily on green screens (CGI), the production built massive practical sets in the UK. They constructed a physical Munchkinland, complete with 9 million tulips planted specifically for the production to create the vibrant, colorful aesthetic.
• The Shiz Express: A full-scale steam train was built for the sequence where Elphaba and Glinda travel to Shiz University. The train weighed 16 tons and was fully functional on the track laid down for the set.

5. The “Split” Decision

• Two Movies, One Story: In 2022, Jon M. Chu announced that Wicked would be split into two films: Wicked: Part One (2024) and Part Two (2025).
• Why the Split? The creators realized that to fit the story into a single movie, they would have to cut key songs or rush character development. Specifically, the song “Defying Gravity” is such a massive showstopper that following it with anything other than an intermission (or end credits) felt narratively wrong.

6. Supporting Cast & Cameos

• A Bridgerton Heartthrob: Jonathan Bailey (best known as Anthony Bridgerton) plays Fiyero. He prepared for the role by taking extensive dance training to master the choreography for “Dancing Through Life.”
• Reuniting with Yeoh: Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible, previously worked with Jon M. Chu on Crazy Rich Asians. She famously said she took the role because Chu told her, “I want you to be scary.”
• The Wizard: The iconic role of The Wizard is played by Jeff Goldblum, bringing his signature eccentric charm to the ruler of Oz.

7. Homage to the Originals

While the movie carves its own path, it pays deep respect to the women who started it all. Both Idina Menzel (the original Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (the original Glinda) visited the set and gave their enthusiastic blessings to Erivo and Grande, symbolizing a passing of the broom and wand.

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