Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Wicked!
2024’sWickedmovie adaptation finally explains the origins of the Land of Oz, and here is the history of the fantastical region, as it is explained in the movie. Althoughthe Land of Ozis one of the most iconic fantasy realms in fiction, the various adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s classic series have led to Oz having all kinds of different origins and explanations. SinceWickedpulls things from both Baum’s original stories as well as the 1939The Wizard of Ozmovie, it required a new Oz origin story, with the 2024 movie finally providing one.
2024’sWickedis the first in a two-part adaptationof the beloved musical, with the first of the two films covering act one of the play. AlthoughWickedtakes place before the 1939 film, the movie features all kinds of Easter eggs and references toThe Wizard of Oz, with it setting up the story of Dorothy and her friends.Wickedreveals why The Land of Oz is the way that it is when Dorothy arrives,but there is even more worldbuilding that took place beforeWicked, with the film featuring a song that explains everything.
The Origin Of Oz & The Magical Wise Ones
As Explained In “One Short Day”
Upon arriving in the Emerald City,the “One Short Day” musical sequence occurs, with it featuring a sequence in which Elphaba and Glinda watch a play about the origins of the Land of Oz. The song explains that, long ago, two beings known as The Magical Wise Ones lived in Oz. As they approached their deaths, the Magical Wise Ones decided to record their magical secrets in a book written in a secret language. Thus,the Magical Wise Ones created the Grimmerie, an important book in the story ofWicked.
A Dark Period Fell Over Oz As The Wise Ones Died
After the Magical Wise Ones died,those who could read the Grimmerie slowly died off, with Oz falling into a period of darkness. Eventually, nobody in Oz could read the Grimmerie anymore, leading to all kinds of bad things happening in the Land of Oz. Despite the magical capabilities of the book, none of the Ozians knew how to utilize it.
Wicked Explains The Real Origin Of The Yellow Brick Road
Wicked finally explains the origins of The Wizard of Oz’s Yellow Brick Road, and it turns out that Elphaba and Glinda play a big role in it.
However, “One Short Day” continues on,explaining that the Magical Wise Ones knew this would happen. Before their deaths, the Magical Wise Ones prophecized that the day would come when someone special would arrive in Oz. This person will be able to read the Grimmerie, restoring Oz to its former glory. Although it isn’t known how long beforeWickedthese events took place, it is known that this prophecy finally came to fruition during the events ofWickedwith the arrival of Elphaba.
Who Was The Ruler Of Oz Before The Wizard?
There Are Several Different Answers
Throughout Baum’s books, the history of the Land of Oz is changes a lot, with there being no perfect explanation for Oz’s origins and its rulers. However, there is a generally accepted canon based on the most commonly recurring story details. Long ago, the Land of Oz was merely a normal countryside. However, the Queen of the Fairies, Queen Lurline, decided to enchant Oz, turning it into a Fairyland. Queen Lurline then ruled Oz alongside King Pastoria, the ruler of Oz before the Wizard arrived.
How Wicked Compares to the Broadway Show
Wicked is obviously based on the Broadway show of the same name, but how similar are the two projects?
Before leaving Oz, Queen Lurline and King Pastoria had a child named Ozma. However, the Wizard arrived in Oz at around the same time.The Wizard then overthrew King Pastoria and hid Princess Ozma away, with him taking up the throne and becoming The Wizard of Oz. Eventually, The Wizard leaves Oz and Princess Ozma is discovered. Since Ozma is the rightful ruler of Oz, she then takes up the throne for the rest of Baum’s books. While this is canon in the original series, it isn’t known if this is true inWickedor the 1939The Wizard of Ozmovie.
The Wizard Came To Oz Before Wicked
Before Elphaba Was Even Born
While it is known that The Wizard came to Oz before the events ofThe Wizard of Oz, it is also known that The Wizard arrived before the events ofWicked.The Wizard has been in Oz since before Elphaba was born, although it isn’t known exactly when he left Omaha and traveled to Oz in his hot air balloon. Since the Emerald City already exists inWicked, it can be assumed that the Wizard has been around for decades, with him already having enough time to build the city and start recrating Oz in his image.
In most adaptations of Baum’s books,The Wizard arrives in Oz as a young man and grows old before leaving at the end ofThe Wizard of Oz. Since Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard inWickedand is in his 70s, it can be assumed that The Wizard has already been in Oz for around four or five decades by the time the events ofWickedtake place.
The Wizard Is The Ruler Of Oz
He Lives In The Emerald City
At the time ofWicked, The Wizard is the ruler of Oz, with him living in the Emerald City at the heart of Oz. Since The Wizard mostly hides away in his castle, he is treated more like a mythical figure than a king. The Wizard uses his facade of magical power to maintain his rule over Oz, although some characters like Madame Morrible, Glinda, and Elphaba know his true nature.
The Wizard’s Real Name In Wicked & Wizard Of Oz
Wicked confirms the true name of the Wizard of Oz played by Jeff Goldblum, connecting to the Broadway production and the original Wizard of Oz story.
Much ofWickedis focused on The Wizard attempting to maintain control of Oz, with him starting a hate campaign against the animals in order to prevent an animal uprising.The Wizard sees the animals as a threatto his rule, with him hoping to use Elphaba’s magic to further cement his power as the King of Oz. However, fans ofThe Wizard of Ozknow that this plan will be foiled upon Dorothy’s arrival, with the 1939 film ending with The Wizard getting in his hot air balloon and leaving the Land of Oz for good.
How Wicked’s History Of Oz Compares To The Novels
Baum Has A Lot Of Different Oz Stories
Wicked’s history of Oz makes some major changes when compared to Baum’s novels, as the history of the Magical Wise Ones is completely unique to the film. It could be that Queen Lurline is one of the Magical Wise Ones, connectingWickedto Baum’s stories. It could also be that the history of the Magical Wise Ones was made up by The Wizard, as “One Short Day” implies. The secondWickedmovie could reveal even more about the history of Oz, with Elphaba set to learn a lot more about The Wizard’s past.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
