Hollywood'S Wicked Love Affair: Where Did It Go Wrong?

The Rise and Fall of Wicked in Hollywood

It seemed like a genius move – splitting the beloved Broadway musical Wicked into two blockbuster films. But as Hollywood quickly learned, not every enchanted tale can be stretched into a double feature. The first part of the adaptation soared, capturing the fun of Elphaba and Glinda’s school days with a mix of Mean Girls sass and Harry Potter charm. Yet, as fans would agree, the sequel just couldn't keep up.

Wicked: For Good tried to expand on the lives of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion before Dorothy's arrival. However, audiences weren't as keen on this backstory detour. The numbers speak volumes – the first movie raked in an impressive $758 million at the worldwide box office, whereas the follow-up could only muster $523 million.

“Two hours into that movie, I was in tears. I was like, 'I can't believe there's still 45 minutes left,'” quipped Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser, capturing the sentiment of many viewers.

From Cinematic Event to Sequel Struggles

The original Wicked film was an event – a cultural happening akin to the Barbenheimer craze of 2023. Fans flocked to theaters, social media buzzed with excitement, and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were the dynamic duo of the day. Their charm and camaraderie during promotion only added to the film’s allure.

A year later, however, the magic had waned. With both films shot simultaneously, Erivo and Grande found themselves repeating the same promotional playbook. The freshness was gone, and audiences could feel it. Wicked: For Good failed to recreate the one-off magic of its predecessor, leaving fans wanting more.

The Academy Moves On

Awards season delivered the final blow to Wicked: For Good's fading glory. While it struggled to find its footing, Ryan Coogler's Sinners emerged as the darling of the Academy, scoring a staggering 16 nominations. In contrast, heavy hitters like Avatar and Jurassic World barely made a ripple.

Wicked had its moment, but even in the magical world of Hollywood, sometimes lightning only strikes once. As audiences and critics shift their gaze to fresh stories and new thrills, Wicked: For Good stands as a cautionary tale about the risks of stretching a beloved narrative too thin.