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

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Entertainment

By Johnni Macke

Wicked Movie Characters vs. the Actors Who Play Them in Real Life (9)

10

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.

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

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:

Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures ; Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

‘Wicked’ Characters vs. the Actors Who Play Them in Real Life: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, More

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:

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton

Cynthia Erivo: Elphaba

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

Ariana Grande: Glinda

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; James Devaney/GC Images

Jonathan Bailey: Fiyero

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Michelle Yeoh: Madame Morrible

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Jeff Goldblum: Wizard

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ;

Ethan Slater: Boq

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Marissa Bode: Nessarose

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Monica Schipper/WireImage

Peter Dinklage: Doctor Dillamond

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Bowen Yang: Pfannee

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.

Credit: Universal Pictures ; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Bronwyn James: ShenShen

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.

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In this article

Ariana GrandeCynthia ErivoEthan SlaterJeff GoldblumJonathan BaileyMichelle YeohPeter Dinklage

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