It’s been a few days since Wicked hit theaters, and the hype is very real. In this first installment, we witness Elphaba’s journey from misunderstood outcast to the infamous Wicked Witch of the West—her path shaped by betrayal, heartbreak, and the weight of her world. But here’s the catch: to uncover how this magical tale ends, we’ll have to wait until November 2025 for part two. (Yes, the suspense is already killing us.)
Read also: Who is Elphaba’s Real Father in Wicked and Why is His Face Hidden in the Movie?
While we count down the days, let’s dig into the hidden gems scattered throughout Wicked—little Easter eggs that pay homage to the classic 1939 Wizard of Oz film and the iconic Broadway musical. From jaw-dropping callbacks to subtle visual clues, here are the details you might have totally missed:
1. The Movie Opens in Black and White (Just Like The Wizard of Oz)
Did you catch the old-school vibes at the start of Wicked? The film begins in black and white before bursting into vivid technicolor—a nod to the groundbreaking 1939 movie, which wowed audiences with its revolutionary switch from monochrome to color.
2. Dorothy Doesn’t Appear…Yet
In part one, we briefly see Dorothy and her crew returning to the Emerald City after defeating the Wicked Witch of the West. But Dorothy herself? She doesn’t play an active role—yet. Rumor has it she might step into the spotlight in part two.
3. “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead”
During the jubilant number No One Mourns the Wicked, listen closely—you’ll hear a snippet of Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead. This iconic tune celebrated the demise of the Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz, and its inclusion here is a haunting reminder of Elphaba’s inevitable fate.
4. A Literal Rainbow of Tulips
There’s a breathtaking scene featuring a field of tulips arranged in a rainbow—a direct reference to Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Fun fact: the director planted nine million real tulips to make this moment feel as magical as it looks.
5. Elphaba’s Deadly Lesson on Poppies
Remember the poppy field in The Wizard of Oz that put Dorothy and her friends to sleep? That sinister spell has roots in Wicked, where Elphaba uses a similar enchantment during a class to rescue a lion cub.
6. Fiyero’s Ominous Poppy Immunity
While Elphaba experiments with poppies, Fiyero remains unaffected. This subtle moment hints at his eventual transformation into the Scarecrow—immune to poppies and destined to face the Wicked Witch in the 1939 film.
7. Broadway Legends Make Cameos
During the dazzling Wiz-o-Mania sequence in the Emerald City, eagle-eyed fans might spot a few iconic actors from the original Broadway production of Wicked. Blink, and you’ll miss them!
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8. Nessarose’s Tornado-Style Shoes
Nessarose’s ruby-and-silver slippers are no ordinary shoes. Designed with swirling tornado motifs, they pay homage to Dorothy’s journey to Oz, while her striped socks reference the famous (and grim) scene of her death in The Wizard of Oz.
9. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Is Here…Sort Of
Although licensing issues prevented the actual song from appearing, composer Stephen Schwartz sneaked its melody into the film’s score. It’s subtle, but once you notice it, you can’t unhear the nostalgic echoes of this classic tune.
10. Fiyero’s Corny Connection
In his carefree number Dancing Through Life, corn becomes a recurring symbol for Fiyero. This sly reference foreshadows his transformation into the Scarecrow—proving that even the carefree prince can’t escape the tangled web of Oz’s dark magic.
From dazzling tulip fields to eerie callbacks, Wicked is more than just a prequel—it’s a cinematic labyrinth of secrets that’ll keep fans theorizing until 2025. What’s your favorite Easter egg? Or did you spot something we missed? Let’s dive into the magical madness of Oz together.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Alan Cruz in Cultura Colectiva.
