Welcome to a journey through the complex world of Oz adaptations. In a time filled with intellectual property battles and numerous sequels, it's often challenging to navigate the intricate realms presented on screen. Vox experts are here to guide you into the latest hot releases.

Unravel the Layers of Wicked's Oz Adaptations

The Origins of Oz

L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," was a huge success and led to various adaptations. It was adapted into a Broadway musical and a franchise of sequels. Then came the 1939 Judy Garland film, which became the most famous version for many.The first Wicked was Gregory Maguire's novel in 1995, retelling the story from a different perspective. It focused on the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.

The Musical Phenomenon

In 2003, "Wicked" the musical came out with music by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It was a smash hit and is still running on Broadway. The musical focused on the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda.Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba was remarkable. She brought the character to life with her green complexion and powerful performance.

The Movie Adaptation Journey

Universal has been developing various versions of the "Wicked" movie for a long time. Finally, in 2021, Jon M. Chu was put in charge. He split the stage musical into two parts, with "Wicked Part 1" premiering in 2024 and "Wicked Part 2" in 2025.The movie faced challenges in finding its tone. It struggled between being as silly as the stage musical and as serious as Maguire's book.

Glinda's Transformation

In Maguire's novel, Glinda was Elphaba's college roommate. But in the musical and movie, she became the heart of the story. Ariana Grande's portrayal of Glinda was a breath of fresh air. She made the character both mean and tender, with a unique vocal mimicry.

The Animal Plotline

In Maguire's Oz, there was a distinction between Animals and animals. The Wizard used Animals as a scapegoat race. When Schwartz and Holzman adapted the story, they ditched this distinction. Chu, however, gave more importance to the animal plotline, making Doctor Dillamond a CGI goat.The animal plotline added an interesting layer to Elphaba's character arc but also showed the cracks in the adaptation.

The Future of Wicked

We're curious to see how Chu handles "Wicked: Part II." The second act of the stage show is often considered weaker. Will it hold its own in the movie? And will it continue to focus on the strong friendship between Glinda and Elphaba?At Vox, we're committed to covering important issues. By becoming a Vox Member, you help us deliver in-depth journalism that drives change.Swati Sharma, Vox Editor-in-Chief.