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Key Points

Michelle Yeoh has shared insights into why the Wicked adaptation was made as two films. She revealed that both movies were shot simultaneously by the production team. The decision mirrors the Broadway show's structure with an intermission between parts. Yeoh also teased that audiences can expect some new songs in the upcoming sequel.

Key Points: Michelle Yeoh Reveals Why Wicked Was Split Into Two Films

  • Universal Pictures made the brave decision to split the Broadway musical
  • The two parts mirror the stage show's part one and intermission structure
  • The story has too many nuances to squish into one single film
  • Part one feels complete but leaves audiences wanting more
2 min read

Michelle Yeoh shares what led to 'Wicked' being made in 2 parts

Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh explains the decision behind making 'Wicked' and 'Wicked: For Good' as two separate films, comparing it to a Broadway intermission.

"We shot Wicked and Wicked: For Good at the same time - Michelle Yeoh"

Los Angeles, Aug 21

The Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming film ‘Wicked 2’, has shed light on the decision of making two big-screen installments.

‘Wicked 2’ marks the origin story of the witches of Oz. It also stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey, reports ‘People’ magazine.

Yeoh spoke about her voice role in the upcoming English-language version of the Chinese blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2’, told ‘People’, “We shot Wicked and Wicked: For Good at the same time”.

The franchise's distributor and producer, Universal Pictures, she quips, “was very brave”. Shouting out ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu, producer Marc Platt and costars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey, Yeoh recalls conversations about how to translate Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz's long-running Broadway musical (itself adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 revisionist prequel to L. Frank Baum’s Oz) for the screen.

As per ‘People’, splitting the stage show into two movies, she said, “is very much like the musical, you know? You have part one, intermission, part two”.

She said, “I think there was talk, ‘Maybe we should just (squish) it together’”. But ultimately the team decided to spread the story out.

“There's so many nuances. After you saw ‘Wicked One’, you felt, ‘I saw a complete film, but I want to know more about what's gonna happen next”, she added.

As for what to expect in ‘Wicked: For Good’ (in theaters November 21), the actress behind the mysterious Madame Morrible can only tease.

Earlier, Yeoh confirmed what Schwartz said at the 2025 ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ induction ceremony in June. She said, “I think you're getting some new songs. I didn't say that”.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Another franchise splitting into two parts? Feels like studios just want to make more money from fans. Hope they don't stretch the story unnecessarily like some other films have done.
A
Ananya R
Michelle Yeoh is such a global icon! From Malaysian-Chinese actress to Oscar winner and now in Wicked - she represents Asian talent so well. Definitely taking my daughter to watch this when it releases here in Mumbai!
S
Sarah B
The comparison to musical intermission makes sense actually. Broadway shows have that natural break, so why shouldn't the film adaptation? Looking forward to both parts!
V
Vikram M
Hope they release both parts in India simultaneously with the West. We always get Hollywood movies weeks later. Wicked has such a fanbase here too!
K
Karthik V
New songs in part 2? That's interesting! Stephen Schwartz's music is brilliant. Hope they maintain the essence of the original while adding fresh elements. Definite theater watch for me.

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