Jeff Goldblum to Play ‘Wicked’s Wizard of Ozo’

Here’s some great news for fans of ‘Wicked’ and quirky actor Jeff Goldblum.

The man known for his work in films like ‘The Fly’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Independence Day’ among many others, brought his talent to the two films ‘Wicked’ conjured up by Jon M. Chu. on the hugely successful Broadway stage play, adapted from Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel reimagining the 1947 film ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Variety reports that Goldblum will be taking on the role of the Wizard of Oz, who (spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the stage show, read the book or seen the film revealed as Oscar Zoroaster Diggs, a very human con artist who uses trickery and machines to take control of the city of Oz and controlling people.

Maguire’s book, and stage performances by writer Winnie Holzman and composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, take place before and during the time Dorothy lands in Oz. The main focus is on the young witches Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good) and Elphaba, who is destined to be called the Wicked Witch of the West.

Elphaba comes from a troubled home and, with her dark green skin, is treated as an outsider at Shiz University. But he forms an unlikely – and, initially, unwilling – friendship with Galinda, the most popular girl on campus.

Together, they chart a very different journey through the land of Oz, which changes around them. Animals, once living beings and important members of society, are reduced to basic beings. The small stature Munchkins was getting more and more oppressed.

Galinda rose in popularity and political influence, but Elphaba, who spoke out against what was happening, was shunned and, when she demonstrated her true magical powers, despised.

Chu directed both films – while one was originally planned, he and the creative team (including Holzman and Schwartz) had realized they needed two films to do the story justice. “We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not one ‘Wicked’ film but two!” Chu wrote in a statement as part of the announcement. “With more space, we can tell the story of ‘Wicked’ as intended. to tell while bringing more depth and surprise to the journey of these beloved characters.”

Ariana Grande plays Glinda, while Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba. ‘Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton, meanwhile, will be Fieryo. Big Guy on campus Shizz, he’s a party animal who’d rather have fun than think and be engaged to Glinda. But his true feelings for Elphaba emerge and he helps her escape, ends up being captured by the Witch’s guards, and tortured. A spell that Elphaba casts to try to save her instead—spoiler alert! — turning it into the scarecrow we know from the movies.

Both films are scheduled to be released on Christmas in 2024 and 2025.