"Wicked For Good" Sparks Niche Fandom Wars Over Continuity with Original "The Wizard of Oz"

The long-awaited sequel, Wicked: For Good, has finally premiered, igniting widespread discussion on social media. Fans of the beloved musical recall past arguments about Act II from two decades ago, and it seems the debates are just as lively now.

Disagreements Over Connections to The Wizard of Oz

Although Wicked: For Good partially overlaps with the events of The Wizard of Oz, the storylines do not perfectly align. One of the most notable differences concerns the Wicked Witch of the East's shoes. In the classic 1939 film, Dorothy's slippers were ruby red, but in L. Frank Baums original book, they were silver. The musical chose to follow Baums version.

Another key link between the two tales involves the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. In the original Oz story, Dorothy meets them on her journey to the Wizard, and they quickly become friends. In the musical, however, the Tin Man is revealed to be Boq (Ethan Slater) and the Scarecrow is Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Their past interactions with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) make their later behavior in Oz feel inconsistent.

Similarly, while the original Glinda uses magic to help Dorothy return home, the musicals Glinda (Ariana Grande) does not possess magical powers, though some argue the enchanted shoes may retain traces of Elphabas spell.

Fans React to Continuity Conflicts

Trying to reconcile Wicked: For Good with The Wizard of Oz completely is a near-impossible task. Longtime fans of the stage musical are growing weary of these repeated debates, while newcomers openly express frustration with how the film handles its connections to Oz. Opinions are divided, with some viewers feeling the adaptation missed the mark.

Regardless, one thing is clear: the story continues to leave a lasting impact. The discussions online are lively, reflecting the enduring fascination with this magical universe.

This article was originally published by The Daily Dot.

Author: Sophia Brooks