How Will Dorothy Factor IntoWicked Part Two(and Who Might Play the IconicWizard of OzRole)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked” (2024); Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939).Photo:Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures; Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty

Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED, Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, 1939.

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures; Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty

Dorothy might soon meet the witches of Oz in the nextWickedfilm.

Cynthia ErivoandAriana Grandebring down the house as Elphaba and Glinda in the new movie musical, but it’s only the first installment of a two-part story.

For a very brief moment early in the first film, Dorothy is shown from behind as she walks the Yellow Brick Road alongside her pals the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion. But will she play a greater role in the sequel?

“In the [Broadway] show, Dorothy is around. They have to intersect, and you can only tease it so much,” Churecently toldVariety. “I won’t say whether she’s a character, necessarily, in movie two. There’s a part of me that wants everyone’s Dorothy to be the whatever Dorothy they want. And yet, there is interaction and some crossover. So I’ll leave that up toPart Two.”

Fans online have speculated thatAlisha Weir, the young Irish actress who headlined 2022’sMatilda the Musicalandthis year’s vampire filmAbigail, might be the one to play Dorothy in this version. (A rep for Universal did not immediately respond about the casting rumor.)

Alisha Weir at the “Wicked” premiere in London on Nov. 18, 2024.Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Alisha Weir attends the “Wicked: Part One” European Premiere at The Royal Festival Hall on November 18, 2024 in London, England.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Weir, 15, attended the European premiere ofWickedin London on Nov. 18. “So unbelievably grateful for last night! This movie is EVERYTHING and more,” shewroteon Instagram after.

Judy Garlandfamously played Dorothy in the classic 1939 movieThe Wizard of Oz. Fairuza Balk played the part in 1985’sReturn to Oz,Diana Ross starred as Dorothy in 1978’sThe Wiz,and Lea Michele played her in 2013’sLegends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.

“Wicked” (2024).Universal Pictures/YouTube

Wicked - Official Trailer

Universal Pictures/YouTube

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About the next film’s plot, Chu teased toEntertainment Weeklythat “ifPart Oneis about choices,Part Twois about consequences.”

“Choices are difficult to make, but when you do make those choices, sometimes the result isn’t what you expect it to be. It can be lonely, it can be hard,” he explained, adding, “There’s a lot of soul-searching in movie two. They’re asking, ‘Is this the right decision that you made?’ "

Wickedis in theaters now.Wicked Part Twois in theaters Nov. 21, 2025.

source: people.com