Wicked Movie Characters vs. the Actors Who Play Them in Real Life (2024)

Related: 'Wicked: Part 2' 2025 Release Date Gets Bumped Up

Theater lovers and movie goers alike have been counting down the days until the film adaptation of Broadway’s Wicked premieres.Wicked made its stage debut in 2003, with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth playing witches Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.More than two decades later, fans are getting a two-part movie version of the musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as university roommates-turned-powerful witches Elphaba and Glinda.In the movies — the first of which premieres on Friday, November 22, and the second one year later on November 21, 2025 — Elphaba and Glinda meet at Shiz University and bond over their magical journey to embrace their powers and their identity.[ami-related id="2152264" pwaid="" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/everything-to-know-about-the-ariana-grande-led-wicked-film/" title="" hiddentitle="‘Wicked: Part 2‘ 2025 Release Date Gets Bumped Up" target="" thumb="true" imgsrc="" imgid="" format="gallery" flag="" channel="9" showpromotitle="true" source_type="AI" source_by="248"]When they encounter the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), their friendship is tested as they navigate a series of events that culminate in Elphaba becoming the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda being dubbed the Good Witch of Oz.Scroll down to see what the Wicked stars look like in the movie compared to real life:

Erivo plays Elphaba, who is unpopular but becomes friends with "it girl" Glinda in college. She eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. Erivo is a British actress and singer, best known for starring in The Color Purple on Broadway and playing the lead character in 2019’s Harriet.

Grande portrays Glinda, who is a popular girl in school before eventually becoming Glinda the Good Witch in Oz. The actress got her start on Nickelodeon’s Victorious before starring on Sam & Cat and Scream Queens. Grande has also released seven studio albums.

Bailey portrays Elphaba’s love interest, Fiyero, whom she meets at Shiz University. He is the prince of the Arjiki tribe in the Vinkus. The English actor appeared on Broadchurch and W1A before he scored the role of Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Bridgerton in 2020.

Yeoh plays Shiz University headmistress, Madame Morrible, who is also a big player in Ozian politics. After decades in the industry, Yeoh won her first Oscar in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All at Once. She is also known for her roles in the Mummy franchise, Crazy Rich Asians and Star Trek: Discovery.

Goldblum plays the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the main antagonist in the movie. Goldblum has been acting since the 1970s. Some of his biggest roles include Jurassic Park, Independence Day and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Slater portrays Munchkin man Boq, who is Glinda and Elphaba’s college friend. He is Nessarose’s love interest, but secretly really likes Glinda. Prior to Wicked, Slater made a splash on Broadway playing SpongeBob SquarePants in the musical by the same name — earning him a Tony Award nomination.

Bode portrays Elphaba’s younger sister, Nessarose, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the East. The disabled actress is best known for starring in local productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins. Wicked is her first feature film role.

Dinklage plays Elphaba’s mentor and favorite college professor, Doctor Dillamond. Dinklage broke into the entertainment industry in the early 1990s. He has since starred in Elf, The Chronicles of Narnia franchise and Cyrano as well as playing Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones.

Yang portrays Munchkinlander Pfannee, who becomes friends with Glinda in school. The comedian wrote for Saturday Night Live before becoming a cast member on the sketch series in 2019. He also starred on Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens.

James plays ShenShen, a schoolmate of Elphaba and friend of Glinda. The English actress had guest starring roles on Cheaters, Lockwood & Co. and Masters of the Air before joining the Wicked cast.

In this article