Ethan Slater will play Boq inWicked, a Munchkin from the world of Oz. However, compared to how they were portrayed in 1939’sThe Wizard of Oz,Wickedhas completely changed Munchkins.Wickedserves as aprequel toThe Wizard of Oz, one of the most iconic films of all time, and is based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, as well as the 1995 novelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Throughout the franchise, Munchkins have played a peripheral yet important role, with their depiction set to change radically with the 2024 movie.
Alongside Slater, thecast ofWickedincludes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Erivo and Grande playElphaba and Glinda inWicked, the latter of which is Boq’s main love interest. However,Glinda barely even pays attention to Boq, which makes him a slightly sad character to watch, especially since he is eventually used by Nessarose, Elphaba’s younger sister who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the East. While definitely a supporting player, Boq plays a pivotal role in the story. His involvement represents a new chapter for Munchkins – largely because of one depiction detail.
The Wicked Movie “Reinvents” Wizard Of Oz’s Munchkins
All Munchkins Will Look Similar To Boq
Boq is an important supporting character in the cast ofWicked, and comes from Munchkinland, one of the four countries in the world of Oz. As seen inThe Wizard of Oz, Munchkins are known for their farming skills, a trait which Nassarose takes advantage of in the story. InWicked,the Wicked Witch of the East will use Boq as her personal servant and act as a tyrannical leader for the Munchkins. Therefore, Boq, who is later turned into Tin Man, and the Munchkin people, serve as tragic figures in the story.
Munckin’s were featured inThe Wizard of Oz, but were portrayed in a much different way than they will be inWicked. Boq is an important figure in theoriginalWickednovel, but has a slightly smaller role in the stage production. However, in theWickedmovie, Slater will likely ensure that Boq will have a more impactful role than ever, sinceall the Munchkins in Oz will be modeled based on Ethan Slater’s likeness. This decision has profound implications both for Boq as a character and the way that all Munchkins are portrayed.
Why Wicked’s Munchkins Look Like Ethan Slater’s Boq Character
Slater Will Change How Munchkins Are Perceived
In an interview withGQ, Jon M. Chu, director ofWicked, claimed he knew very early on that Slater was perfect for the role of Boq, and expressed that “you root for Ethan Slater as a human being.” Since Munchkins are portrayed as underdog figures in the story ofWickedandThe Wizard of Oz, it made sense to model all the Munchkins off of Slater. Chu also said:
We wanted [Boq] to come from a culture, and so we were trying to reinvent what a Munchkin is. In our eyes, Munchkin was not a size. We built the Munchkinland look around him, in a weird way—like this red-haired, fair-skinned type of character.
Based on Chu’s explanation of Munchkins, it is clearthey will be portrayed in a completely different fashion compared to how they were seen inThe Wizard of Oz. In the 1939 film, all the Munchkins were very small in stature compared to characters like Dorothy. However, Chu did not want to focus on their size, and instead wanted to portray them as “joyful, innocent people” who “harvested the joy [and] the colors of all of Oz.”
While this explains some aspects of the Munchkins' portrayal inWicked, the decision to use Boq as a template has other, more profound implications. By using Slater as the basis for all designs in Munchkinland, the Munchkins themselves will appear more homogenous and less individualistic than other characters in the movie.This could make them seem simultaneously more harmonious and subservient– an interesting dynamic to introduce into the story.
Why Changing Wizard Of Oz’s Munchkinland Makes Sense For Wicked
Jon M. Chu Wanted To Portray Munchkinland Differently In Wicked
It makes sense that the movie adaptation ofWickedwill portray Munchkins differently, since it is a completely different time compared to whenThe Wizard of Ozwas released. In 1939, people were a lot more naive about how portraying Munchkins as smaller than other characters for comic relief could be seen as offensive. Even the term “Munchkin” is considered somewhat problematic, so it is best to present the society of farmers in a different light inWicked.
The Tin Man’s Identity In Wicked & Origin Before Wizard Of Oz Explained
Boq is a crucial character who was created specifically for Wicked, and he’s not one that audiences will be familiar with from The Wizard of Oz.
SinceThe Wizard of Ozis such an iconic movie, andWickedhas become such a notable extension of the franchise, the role of Munchkins in the story has always stirred up debate. Therefore, it was likely hard to decide how to portray Boq and the other Munchkins. For example, the upcomingSnow Whitefilm has created a lot of controversy since the seven dwarves will be fully CGI. Therefore, it is good that Chu had a clear creative vision for Munchkins inWickedfrom the start.
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.
