Where Does Wicked: Part One End and What’s Next in Part Two?

Fans of the Broadway hit Wicked were surprised when director Jon M. Chu announced that his film adaptation would be split into two separate parts.

“It became increasingly clear that it would be impossible to fight the story Wicked into one film,” director, 45, she wrote in a letter on social networks 2022. “With more space, we can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told, bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys of these beloved characters.”

So with Wicked: Part One hits theaters November 22nd, what parts of those characters’ journeys does it cover? And what the audience can expect ahead of next year The second part rid? (Warning: spoilers ahead!)

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo defy gravity at Shiz University in an extended new trailer for Wicked

Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Oz’s future Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as a possible Glinda the Good Witch, Wicked: Part One includes Act One of the Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman musical on which it is based. Inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 revisionist prequel, it’s the origin story of two witches originally created by L. Frank Baum — who had quite a history before Dorothy was blown from Kansas to Oz by a tornado.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Granda in ‘Wicked: Part One’.

Universal Pictures

The first part begins its story after Dorothy’s bucket of water leads to the green criminal. Glinda celebrates the news of Elphaba’s death with the residents of Munchkinland before taking us back to when the witches first met: at Shiz University, where they lived together and studied wizardry under Headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).

The film charts Elphaba and Glinda’s journey from enemies to friends, introducing a triangular romance with dashing Winkie Prince Fiyer (Jonathan Bailey) and other characters central to The second part: Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode); her crush Boq (Ethan Slater) who longs for Glinda; a timid lion cub; goat professor dr. Dillamond (voice of Peter Dinklage); and, of course, the so-called wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

Erivo, 37, finishes the first Wicked movie with a bang: After learning that the powerless Wizard is responsible for oppressing animals across Oz, Elphaba decides to stand up to him – even if it means being ostracized as a villain – in the pivotal act of one ending to “Defying Gravity”. As in a theatrical performance, she flies into the western sky with her hat, cloak and newly enchanted broom. Chu ends the film with a “To Be Continued” card.

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Jonathan Bailey in ‘Wicked: Part One’.

Universal Pictures

The second part (recorded at the same time as The first part) will include the plot from the musical’s second act, as well as its songs — and at least one new tune added by Schwartz, 76.

Spoilers ahead: closely related to the events of Baum’s original novel and 1939 classic. The Wizard of Oz, The second part will chart Glinda’s rise to bubble-riding good witch as she works with the Wizard and Madame Morrible to turn Oz against Elphaba. Although they are still friends behind the scenes, things get complicated when Fiyero leaves Glinda for Elphaba and is later captured by soldiers.

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Nessarose, meanwhile, becomes known as Munchkinland’s Wicked Witch of the East following the death of her and Elphaba’s father (Andy Nyman). The sisters clash, magically turning Nessa’s subordinate Boq into a callous tin man. Morrible uses his powers to summon a tornado that, like The Wizard of Oz fans know, throws Dorothy’s house at Nessa.

After discovering that the Wizard imprisoned the helpless Dr. Dillamonda, an anxious Elphaba mourns the loss of her professor, sister and lover. For Fiyer, she tries to cast a spell that prevents injury – one that turns his body into straw. Like him, Boq and the lion from The first part follow Dorothy on her off-screen adventures on the yellow brick road, Elphaba and Glinda reconcile, and Elphaba accepts that she must die for the good of Oz’s people.

The second part likely to end with the friends’ heartwarming duet “For Good”, Glinda’s rejection of the Wizard and Morrible, and – as Oz continues to celebrate – the revelation that the Wizard’s daughter Elphaba, unaffected by the water, is alive and with the scarecrow Fiyera.

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The first part is in theaters on November 22, with The second part scheduled for November 26, 2025. Take a look behind the scenes Wicked with a new special issue of PEOPLE, available here.

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Source: HIS Education