"Wicked For Good" Sparks Niche Fandom Wars Over Continuity with Original "The Wizard of Oz"

The long-awaited sequel, Wicked: For Good, has finally premiered, igniting widespread discussion on social media. Fans of the beloved musical recall past arguments about Act II from two decades ago, and it seems the debates are just as lively now.

Disagreements Over Connections to The Wizard of Oz

Although Wicked: For Good partially overlaps with the events of The Wizard of Oz, the storylines do not perfectly align. One of the most notable differences concerns the Wicked Witch of the East's shoes. In the classic 1939 film, Dorothy's slippers were ruby red, but in L. Frank Baums original book, they were silver. The musical chose to follow Baums version.

Another key link between the two tales involves the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. In the original Oz story, Dorothy meets them on her journey to the Wizard, and they quickly become friends. In the musical, however, the Tin Man is revealed to be Boq (Ethan Slater) and the Scarecrow is Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Their past interactions with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) make their later behavior in Oz feel inconsistent.

Similarly, while the original Glinda uses magic to help Dorothy return home, the musicals Glinda (Ariana Grande) does not possess magical powers, though some argue the enchanted shoes may retain traces of Elphabas spell.

Fans React to Continuity Conflicts

Trying to reconcile Wicked: For Good with The Wizard of Oz completely is a near-impossible task. Longtime fans of the stage musical are growing weary of these repeated debates, while newcomers openly express frustration with how the film handles its connections to Oz. Opinions are divided, with some viewers feeling the adaptation missed the mark.

Regardless, one thing is clear: the story continues to leave a lasting impact. The discussions online are lively, reflecting the enduring fascination with this magical universe.

This article was originally published by The Daily Dot.

Analysis: The Divisive Legacy of Wicked: For Good

The release of Wicked: For Good has undoubtedly stirred up strong reactions from fans and critics alike. While the long-awaited sequel succeeds in reigniting discussions about the franchise, it also highlights the ongoing struggle to reconcile its storyline with that of the classic Wizard of Oz. As anticipated, some of the film’s decisions regarding continuity have not sat well with all audiences, particularly those who are deeply invested in both the musical and the original Oz narrative.

One of the central points of contention revolves around the treatment of key characters like Glinda, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow. While the musical makes deliberate choices that diverge from the original Baum story and the 1939 film, many fans expected a closer alignment. The creative decisions regarding the Wicked Witch of the East’s shoes, Glinda’s magical abilities, and the portrayal of iconic characters reflect the filmmakers' intent to craft a distinct narrative, yet not everyone is satisfied with how these elements have been integrated.

The debate surrounding Wicked: For Good is unlikely to settle anytime soon, as the divide between long-term fans and newcomers continues to widen. Some praise the adaptation’s creative liberties, while others feel it has failed to honor the source material in meaningful ways. Ultimately, the film has once again reminded audiences of the power of the Oz universe to inspire discussion, even as it struggles with staying faithful to its origins.

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• “Wicked For Good” is causing niche fandom wars over its continuity with original “The Wizard of Oz”