Drawing from the rich narrative of Maguire’s work, the Wicked musical has mesmerized viewers worldwide, whether on stage or in cinemas. The 1995 novel not only offers a mature take on L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but also introduces readers to The Wicked Years series, making it a significant literary contribution.
Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the stage adaptation of Wicked (officially titled Wicked – The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz) made it’s debut on May 28, 2003, at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco.
It has shattered records in every venue it has graced, including an impressive tally of over 7,000 performances in London’s West End. A remarkable phenomenon ready for more adaptations, director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked hit theaters in November 2024.
Captivating the cinema audience, the film’s concluding scenes hinted at a sequel, a promise fulfilled with the release of Wicked – For Good a year later in November 2025. This sequel continues the journey of Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), Glinda Upland (Ariana Grande), Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey), the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and the inhabitants of Oz.
Filled with intricate visual sequences, Industrial Light & Magic was given the challenge of transforming Chu’s imaginative vision into a vibrant, yellow-bricked reality. We had the privilege of interviewing Pablo Helman, the four-time Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor for the production, to delve into Wicked – For Good and the endeavor of revealing even more of Munchkinland, Shiz University, and the Emerald City.
According to Pablo Helman, “The filming lasted 155 days for a two-part narrative. We viewed Wicked and Wicked – For Good as a single film, and we approached the shoot accordingly. This required extensive preparation and meticulous planning, especially considering the logistical and technical complexities of specific scenes in the movies. Visual effects can frequently pose difficulties, as they require the director, the editor, and the entire team to consider aspects they typically prefer to avoid. While a director focuses on the overarching narrative, we need them to concentrate on particular sequences since we must deliver a specific number of shots. They often resist being given new options, believing they have already made their decisions, so why introduce alternatives ? This necessitates a reevaluation, which can be time-consuming.”
Pablo Helman further revealed, “Jon Chu embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Jon adopts a natural approach to filmmaking. He enjoys exploring various options and possibilities. While there may be a script and a strategy established, the journey of creating a major motion picture remains quite dynamic. Many elements evolve during the filming process, leading to numerous decisions that need to be made.”