Together They're Unlimited! SeeWicked’s Star-Studded Cast Side-by-Side with the Broadway Actors Who Originated the Roles

Mar. 15, 2025

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda; Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda.Photo:Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Wickeddebuted on Broadway in 2003, and more than 20 years later, it’s getting the Hollywood treatment.

Jon M. Chuis the first director to adapt the original Tony award-winning musical for the big screen, and he’s already received the stamp of approval from the show’s original stars. “The story is so wonderful, and Cynthia and Ariana are amazing. The whole cast is amazing,” Chenoweth said on Instagram after watching an October 2024 screening of the film. “Jon Chu nailed it. I was so moved, emotional, happy, filled with joy. Please everybody go seeWicked, you’ll be blessed.”

However, according to Erivo, the movie is slightly different from the original production. To tell the story in its full capacity, the movie will also be released in two parts, with the second installment premiering in 2025.

“I think we’re going to enjoy the magic of it,” she toldEntertainment Tonightahead of filming the 2022. “We’re going to try and put our own spin on what we know already and show you a story about two women [who] are sisters."

01of 08Elphaba: Idina Menzel and Cynthia ErivoIdina Menzel as Elphaba in 2004; Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in 2024.Frank Micelotta/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal PicturesIdina Menzel won a Tony award for her 2003 role as Elphaba inWicked— justone of five Broadway showsshe’s performed in to date. The actress and singer made her on-stage debut in the original 1996 cast ofRentand reprised her role in the 2005 film adaptation. Menzel is also known for voicing Elsa in Disney’s animated filmFrozen.Like the original Elphaba,Cynthia Erivogot her start on Broadway and won a 2016 Tony award for her role as Celie inThe Color Purple. The English actress is also known for her on-screen work in projects likeWidows,Bad Times at the El RoyaleandHarriet, for which she was nominated for two Oscars.

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Elphaba: Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo

Idina Menzel as Elphaba in 2004; Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in 2024.Frank Micelotta/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Frank Micelotta/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Idina Menzel won a Tony award for her 2003 role as Elphaba inWicked— justone of five Broadway showsshe’s performed in to date. The actress and singer made her on-stage debut in the original 1996 cast ofRentand reprised her role in the 2005 film adaptation. Menzel is also known for voicing Elsa in Disney’s animated filmFrozen.

Like the original Elphaba,Cynthia Erivogot her start on Broadway and won a 2016 Tony award for her role as Celie inThe Color Purple. The English actress is also known for her on-screen work in projects likeWidows,Bad Times at the El RoyaleandHarriet, for which she was nominated for two Oscars.

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Glinda: Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande

Kristin Chenoweth originally played Glinda in the 2003 Broadway production. Her performance earned her a 2004 Tony nomination for best leading actress in a musical, though her costarMenzelwon the award. The Emmy-winning actress went on to star in series likePushing Daisies,The West WingandGlee.

Ariana Grande told Amazon Music’sZach Sang Showthat she’swanted the chance to play Glindasince she was 20. The pop singer and former Nickelodeon starcalled Chenoweth cryingwhen she learned she had landed the audition. Since rising to fame on the showVictorious, Grande has become a Grammy-winning artist, having earned 18 nominations and two awards.

03of 08Fiyero: Norbert Leo Butz and Jonathan BaileyNorbert Leo Butz as Fiyero; Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in 2024.Broadwaycom/YouTube; Universal PicturesNorbert Leo Butz originated the role ofFiyero, Elphaba and Glinda’s love interest, in the 2003 musical. The two-time Tony winner is known for his Broadway performances inCatch Me If You CanandDirty Rotten Scoundrels. He’s also made on-screen appearances in films likeDan in Real Lifeand series likeAmerican Sports Story, where he played former New England Patriots coachBill Belichick.Bridgerton’sJonathan Baileyplays Fiyero in the 2024 film. He’s best known for his role asAnthony Bridgertonin the Netflix series and starring in shows likeHeartstopperandFellow Travelers. Bailey also has an upcoming role inJurassic World Rebirth— a franchise hisWickedcostarJeff Goldblumis famously known for.

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Fiyero: Norbert Leo Butz and Jonathan Bailey

Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero; Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in 2024.Broadwaycom/YouTube; Universal Pictures

Broadwaycom/YouTube; Universal Pictures

Norbert Leo Butz originated the role ofFiyero, Elphaba and Glinda’s love interest, in the 2003 musical. The two-time Tony winner is known for his Broadway performances inCatch Me If You CanandDirty Rotten Scoundrels. He’s also made on-screen appearances in films likeDan in Real Lifeand series likeAmerican Sports Story, where he played former New England Patriots coachBill Belichick.

Bridgerton’sJonathan Baileyplays Fiyero in the 2024 film. He’s best known for his role asAnthony Bridgertonin the Netflix series and starring in shows likeHeartstopperandFellow Travelers. Bailey also has an upcoming role inJurassic World Rebirth— a franchise hisWickedcostarJeff Goldblumis famously known for.

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The Wizard: Joel Grey and Jeff Goldblum

Joel Grey as The Wizard of Oz in 20023; Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz in 2024.Matthew Peyton/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Matthew Peyton/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Jeff Goldblumplays the Wizardin the two-part film adaptation, even though accepting the part required him to face his childhood fear of witches. The actor and musician has been in classic films likeJurassic ParkandIndependence Dayas well as shows likePortlandia,Will & GraceandLaw & Order: Criminal Intent.

05of 08Dr. Dillamond: William Youmans and Peter DinklageWilliam Youmans in 2007; Peter Dinklage in 2019; Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond in ‘Wicked’.Steven Henry/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Universal PicturesWilliam Youmans played Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor who befriends Elphaba, in the original Broadway cast. He toldPlaybillin 2023 that though he had performed supporting roles inBig RiverandTitanic,Wickedwas his first “principal role in the original cast of a Broadway show.”Peter Dinklagevoices the animal history professor in the film adaptation. The actor is best known for his role on the hit HBO seriesGame of Thrones, which won him a record-breaking four Primetime Emmy awards for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, perVariety.

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Dr. Dillamond: William Youmans and Peter Dinklage

William Youmans in 2007; Peter Dinklage in 2019; Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond in ‘Wicked’.Steven Henry/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Universal Pictures

Steven Henry/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Universal Pictures

William Youmans played Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor who befriends Elphaba, in the original Broadway cast. He toldPlaybillin 2023 that though he had performed supporting roles inBig RiverandTitanic,Wickedwas his first “principal role in the original cast of a Broadway show.”

Peter Dinklagevoices the animal history professor in the film adaptation. The actor is best known for his role on the hit HBO seriesGame of Thrones, which won him a record-breaking four Primetime Emmy awards for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, perVariety.

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Nessarose: Michelle Federer and Marissa Bode

Michelle Federer; Marissa Bode as Nessarose in 2024.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Marissa Bodemakes her film debut as Nessarose inWicked— and according toToday, she’s the first actor to play the role who uses a wheelchair in real-life. Prior to the film, she appeared in a few local Los Angeles productions and a film short titledNo Roles Written.

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Madame Morrible: Carole Shelley and Michelle Yeoh

Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible; Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Picture

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Giles Keyte/Universal Picture

Michelle Yeohportrays the headmistress in the 2024Wickedadaptation. The actress has starred in films likeCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,Tomorrow Never DiesandEverything Everywhere All At Once, whichearned her an Academy Award. Yeoh also worked with Chu on the 2018 filmCrazy Rich Asians.

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Boq: Christopher Fitzgerald and Ethan Slater

Christopher Fitzgerald in 2003; Ethan Slater as Boq in 2024.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Universal Pictures

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Universal Pictures

Ethan Slaterplays Boq in theWickedfilm —a role he auditioned foron Broadway years ago. He’s best known for his Tony-nominated performance in the musical adaptation of the Nickelodeon showSpongebob Squarepants. The actor and singer has beendating hisWickedcostar, Grande, since 2023.

source: people.com