How The Wicked Cast & Crew Survived The “Mind F–k” Of Filming 2 Movies At Once

by

The movies Wicked and Wicked: For Good were filmed at the same time, and the people involved have talked about how they kept the storylines and characters clear while switching between different scenes and locations daily. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the two films are based on the Broadway musical, which is actually shorter than the first movie.

The decision to release the Wicked movie in two parts sparked a lot of discussion, and recent, less positive reviews of Wicked: For Good have brought that debate back to the forefront. Director Jon M. Chu and writer Winnie Holzman, who also wrote the stage show, recently reaffirmed their support for the two-part approach in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Holzman explains they discovered they could add much more depth and emotion to Glinda’s story, and that developing Glinda’s character would actually make Elphaba’s journey even stronger. However, filming both movies as one large project sometimes made it difficult for the actors to keep track of where their characters were in their individual stories.

The filmmakers faced the difficult task of maintaining a consistent story and emotional feel throughout the movie. As director Chu puts it, “It was incredibly confusing!” To stay organized, Chu set up a dedicated “war room” filled with sketches and models. They also used specific colors and themes in each scene to provide a sense of consistency, which is noticeable in the final films.

Cinematographer Alice Brooks explains that the first Wicked film focused on themes of desire, choice, and longing, while the second film, Wicked: For Good, explores sacrifice, acceptance of consequences, and the realities of pursuing one’s dreams. The original Wicked is visually brighter, showing Elphaba and Glinda discovering their ambitions at school, while the sequel depicts them facing the truths behind those aspirations.

Both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo used heavily marked-up scripts to help them understand and consistently portray their characters’ journeys. Erivo also cleverly used different perfumes to represent Elphaba’s emotional and character development. This unique approach helped her transition from a curious student to a powerful witch, adding another layer beyond just relying on notes.

Although the Rotten Tomatoes score for Wicked: For Good isn’t as high as the first movie’s initial score, most people agree that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver incredible performances, convincingly showing how their characters, Elphaba and Glinda, have grown. Like the original Wicked, the new film is visually stunning, but it has its own unique style, which is a result of careful planning.

Read More

2025-11-24 18:57