Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard smiling and holding a yellow brick in Wicked For GoodCredit: Giles Keyte / © Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
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Kevin Erdmann
Published 35 minutes ago
Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good removed some of the original stage show’s most direct political jokes, though the movie’s message still lands clearly. Without a doubt, the political parallels are hard to miss, especially in 2025.
Overall, both Wicked movies offer timeless ideas about public perception, power, and trust as the Wizard manipulates Oz through his charm and carefully planned messaging. While the same is just as true for the original Broadway show, some of the second act's most direct callouts were removed from Wicked: For Good (and it was probably for the best).
Wicked: For Good Cut Some Big Political Jokes From The Original Stage Show
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba glaring while flying over the yellow brick road in Wicked For Good© Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
In the original Broadway show, Elphaba's sister Nessarose makes the comment that she can’t harbor a fugitive as she's an "unelected official", having taken over as Muchkinland's governor from their late father.
This line landed some big laughs in 2003, as audiences immediately recognized the reference to George W. Bush who was often called the same following the controversial 2000 election against Al Gore and the Supreme Court decision that resulted in Bush's victory following contested ballots in Florida. As such, the term "unelected official" very much echoed recent real-world events and controversy.
Another pointed joke in the stage show occurs later in the second act when Glinda describes Dorothy Gale's house falling on Nessa as “a regime change” when Elphaba angrily questions her. Similarly, the same phrase was widely used to justify the Iraq War instigated during the Bush Administration, making the line a subtle dig at American foreign policy.
Both jokes very much gave the new musical in 2003 a topical bite, connecting the Land of Oz and its own political turmoil to early-2000s world events. That being said, Wicked: For Good chose to omit both lines, and the decision does make sense.
After all, both references are now over twenty years old, and tied to a very specific era in U.S. politics. Including them in a 2025 film would likely have felt confusing and/or dated, especially for younger viewers likely less familiar with the particular period when the Wicked show first began.
However, this isn't to say that the Wicked movies aren't without their more timeless commentary on power, public perception, and corrupt leaders.
Rather than keeping the jokes that anchored the Wicked stage show to the political landscape in which it was first created, the movies hold a more general focus on the ideas behind power structures which can apply across decades (and especially now in 2025).
The Wicked Movies Still Carry A Strong Political Message In 2025
Two Ozian guards restraining a furious Elphaba in Wicked For Good
Even without its early-2000s jokes, Wicked: For Good still retains the story's core political message. In fact, its commentary may be arguably stronger now simply because it reflects current and ongoing debates about media trust and public perception. After all, the Wizard’s control over Oz mirrors how information power works in 2025, making the story feel even more relevant to real-life events.
One of the Wicked movies' core themes is the idea that “Perception is Reality,” a core philosophy and belief of the Wizard.
As long as he shapes the narrative, he holds power. His success depends not on truth but on what people believe (and giving them what they want to believe). That idea certainly hits hard in a world where people are constantly questioning which sources they can truly trust.
With a darkly effective press secretary and a carefully crafted public image, the Wizard is able to direct public fear wherever it best serves him, creating crises and enemies as he sees fit.
Glinda in a ballgown and tiara looking dismayed while surrounded by anti-Elphaba propaganda in Wicked: For Good
Sentient and speaking animals are painted as untrustworthy as they're rounded up and put in cages to silence their perceived "sedition". Once Elphaba starts moving against the Wizard, she's likewise made out to be a brand-new enemy for Oz to hate, the "Wicked WItch of the West."
By Wicked: For Good's ending, Elphaba recognizes the unfortunate truth in the battle she's fighting, having recognized that the truth matters far less when the story has already been written and accepted so fully by the public. Her frustration reflects a key real-world challenge: once the public chooses a narrative, changing minds becomes incredibly difficult.
Victory only comes when Elphaba accepts this truth and begins working with public perceptions, relying on Glinda to do what she never could in the eyes of the public.
Wicked: For Good emphasizes how overwhelming effective propaganda can become. Elphaba discovers that institutions built on lies defend themselves fiercely. The Wizard never needs proof, just confidence and narrative repetition. The more he insists she’s a threat, the more Oz believes it. The tragedy isn’t just that he lies; it’s how quickly the public embraces it.
Again, the political parallels are undeniable in 2025. Misinformation spreads so quickly, as people often filter facts based on identity or ideology (it's even done for them via their social media algorithms). While Wicked: For Good may mirror these struggles through the lens of fantasy, the allegory is no less clear.
Ultimately, Wicked: For Good didn't need the older stage-show jokes to maintain its overarching political message. The core commentary is inherent to the entire narrative. Beyond the more specific digs at 2000s politics, there are still the timeless truths about power and public perceptions.
Wicked: For Good is now playing in theaters.
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8.9/10
8/10
Wicked: For Good
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed PG Drama Fantasy Romance Release Date November 21, 2025 Runtime 137 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire Producers Marc Platt, David Stone
11 Images
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) with a thoughtful frown in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) smiling in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) putting on her crown in Wicked: For Good
Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) playing in a marching band in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) walking down the aisle surrounded by yellow butterflies in Wicked: For Good
Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) staring into each other’s eyes up close in Wicked: For Good
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) flying on her broom in Wicked: For Good
Wicked For Good Teaser Thumbnail
Glinda (Ariana Grande) clutching a book to her chest in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) floating inside a shimmering bubble in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) looking thoughtful in Wicked: For GoodClose
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Cynthia Erivo
Elphaba
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Glinda
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