Wicked is making an important change from the Broadway musical that will have a significant impact on the Tin Man's origin story. Even though the Tin Man's transformation will not take place until Wicked: Part Two, his story will begin in the first Wicked movie, with Ethan Slater cast in the role of the munchkin, Boq. He is a student at Shiz University, and while he ends up in a relationship with Elphaba's sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), it is Glinda (Ariana Grande) that Boq is truly interested in.
Much of Boq's story revolves around his unrequited feelings for Glinda and his resentment toward Nessarose, which he continues to feel even after graduating from Shiz. This culminates in Nessarose casting a mispronounced spell that shrinks Boq's heart. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) needs to step in to save Boq's life, but it comes at the cost of him being transformed into the Tin Man. Due to an important change that the first Wicked movie is making, the buildup to this game-changing moment will be quite different.
Boq Genuinely Likes Nessarose As A Friend In The Wicked Movie
They Are More Connected Than In The Broadway Musical
In the musical, Boq only takes Nessarose to the dance because he wants to impress Glinda, who tells him during the Wicked song "Dancing Through Life" that "I know someone would be my hero if that someone were to go invite her." However, Slater has teased in a "Meet Boq" promotional Wicked movie video that when Boq and Nessarose dance, it is "a really beautiful moment of connection between Boq and this woman who he likes a lot, but doesn’t love, and I think the dance ultimately reflected that in a way I’m really, really proud of.”
Based on Slater's comments, Boq and Nessarose will be genuine friends in the first Wicked movie. Boq will like and appreciate Nessarose for who she is, even though he does not love her romantically and still pines for Glinda instead. This friendship ensures that there will be more of an authentic bond that goes both ways between Boq and Nessarose. Such a change will help Boq be more nuanced and likable and less manipulative in the first installment of the musical adaptation.
This Change Will Make Boq And Nessarose’s Wicked: Part Two Story More Tragic
Their History Alters The Context Of Boq's Fate
After lying to Nessarose about his feelings for years and his unsettling fixation on Glinda, Boq's Tin Man fate feels somewhat deserved in the Broadway musical. This is further emphasized by Boq calling for Elphaba to be killed during the "March of the Witch Hunters" song, even though she is the one who saved his life. Since Boq and Nessarose will actually be good friends during their youth in the first Wicked film, it will be more tragic to see him becoming her personal servant in Wicked: Part Two, along with her mispronounced spell shrinking his heart.
Though the Wicked movie is rated PG, the eponymous book by Gregory Maguire includes dark themes and disturbing descriptions that could upset readers.
Boq will no longer be someone who arguably deserved his fate of becoming the Tin Man. Instead, it will be more tragic to see Boq and Nessarose turning on each other despite their history as friends and the connection they shared during their dance all those years ago. While the overall story of the musical will remain the same, changes like this will add further depth to the Wicked movies, and add more depth to Boq, Nessarose, and their relationship.
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Director Jon M. Chu
Release Date November 22, 2024
Writers Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum
Cast Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd
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English (US) ·