When Wicked part one hit the screen, it left us with a question so juicy, it’s been living rent-free in our heads ever since: Who is Elphaba’s real father, and why is his face hidden in the movie adaptation? Buckle up, because the answer is here, and it’s messier than you could’ve imagined.
Spoiler Alert! This article contains major revelations about Wicked: Part Two and dives into sensitive subject matter. Proceed with caution!
Who Is Elphaba’s Real Father?
In the Broadway musical, Elphaba’s early life and parentage are more hinted at than explicitly addressed, with most of the drama focusing on her time at Shiz University. But the breadcrumbs are there: her mother, Melena Thropp, had a scandalous affair with a mysterious man before Elphaba was born.
By the end of both the original book and the musical, a shocking truth surfaces: Elphaba’s biological father is none other than the Wizard of Oz himself. According to the lore, the Wizard drugged Melena and sexually assaulted her. While the musical softens this narrative, it strongly implies the Wizard’s sinister involvement. The movie adaptation, however, seems to double down on the Wizard’s creepy dynamic with Melena, hinting at an even darker take.
The Wizard’s use of a mysterious green elixir to drug Melena not only makes him culpable but also explains Elphaba’s iconic emerald skin. Chillingly, Elphaba remains unaware of this truth in the musical, but it’s highly likely the big reveal will shake up the storyline in Wicked: Part Two, set to hit theaters in 2025.
Why Is His Face Hidden in the Movie?
During the opening number, No One Mourns the Wicked, the face of the character who appears to be Elphaba’s father is conspicuously obscured. Speculation is wild, with fans guessing it wasn’t Jeff Goldblum (who plays the Wizard) but a stand-in to maintain the mystery for the sequel.
To add more fuel to the fire, the character’s hair and overall appearance in that scene don’t match the Wizard as shown elsewhere in the film, leading us to believe the filmmakers are saving the grand reveal for the dramatic crescendo of Part Two.
What This Dark Revelation Means for Wicked
The idea that Elphaba’s father is the very tyrant she rises against is a mic-drop moment. It turns her rebellion against the Wizard’s regime into a deeply personal vendetta. This twist intensifies her struggle with identity, morality, and destiny.
Elphaba isn’t just fighting for justice in Oz; she’s grappling with the horrifying truth that her very existence is rooted in trauma and oppression. It’s a masterstroke in storytelling that adds layers to her transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West.
What to Expect in Wicked: Part Two
The sequel is poised to explore how Elphaba copes with this revelation. Will she embrace her lineage or reject it entirely? This internal war could shape her ultimate metamorphosis into the iconic witch, defying not only her father’s legacy but the tyrannical system he represents.
One thing’s for sure: Wicked: Part Two is gearing up to blow our minds. Are you ready to see Elphaba’s story take its darkest turn yet?
This article was originally written in Spanish by Alan Cruz in Cultura Colectiva.
