Summary
TheWickedmovie might feature a cameo from Kristin Chenoweth, the actor who originated the role of Glinda on Broadway when the musical premiered in 2003. According to eagle-eyed fans, abehind-the-scenes video teases Chenoweth’sWickedcameo. At the featurette’s 1-minute and 54-second mark,Chenoweth, or someone who strongly resembles the Tony Award-winning performer, appears in the frame. The background character wears a lavish costume — one that’s typical of Oz’s elite — and watches Ariana Grande’s Glinda walk by. Although the glimpse is brief and unconfirmed, a cameo from Chenoweth would be exciting.
Based on the crowd’s green apparel and what’s visible of the set, the scene appears to be set in the Emerald City, which means Chenoweth could lend her voice to “One Short Day,” a song that scores Glinda and Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) arrival in the magnificent metropolis. When theWickedmoviewas first announced, long-time fans of the acclaimed Broadway musical lamented the fact that Chenoweth and fellow Tony Award-winning actor Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba, wouldn’t reprise their roles as part ofWicked’s cast of characters. Now,Chenoweth’s apparent cameo poses the perfect solution.
Kristin Chenoweth’s Cameo In Wicked’s Movie Means Idina Menzel Must Appear Too
Broadway’s Original Glinda & Elphaba Must Both Have Cameos In The Wicked Movie
Even though Kristin Chenoweth’s apparentWickedmovie cameo isn’t confirmed,it already raises another major concern about whether Idina Menzel will also have a cameo momentin the Broadway musical’s silver screen adaptation. Loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s novel,Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West— which is in turn based on L. Frank Baum’sThe Wonderful Wizard of Ozand its 1939 film adaptation —Wickedis billed as the origin story of the Wicked Witch, a.k.a. Elphaba. The musical, like its source material, casts the character in a new light.
Elphaba and Glinda’s enemies-to-friends relationship serves as the heart of Wicked…
The musical is narrated by Glinda the Good Witch (formerly, Galinda), Elphaba’s former friend from school. In the wake of Dorothy’s destruction of the Wicked Witch, Glinda tries to explain to her fellow Ozians that Elphaba wasn’t always “wicked.” There’s no denying that Elphaba and Glinda’s enemies-to-friends relationship serves as the heart ofWicked, so much of the musical’s success hinges on Menzel and Chenoweth’s poignant performances. In fact,without Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth,Wickedmight not have become an enduring phenomenonat all. That said,Wickedmovie cameosare the perfect way to honor the actors.
What Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel Have Said About Having Wicked Cameos
Both Actors Still Have A Lot Of Love For Wicked & Their Characters
Based on the actors' previous comments andWicked-related appearances, movie cameos don’t seem out of the question. Since their iconic stints on Broadway together inWicked, Menzel and Chenoweth have reunited to perform songs from the musical. In 2018, the duo joined NBC for a TV special calledA Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway, and, in 2023, the original stars celebrated the show’s 20th anniversary on the Great White Way (viaCBS News). Clearly,both performers still have a lot of love for the story and their former characters.
Menzel has also been diplomatic about her potential Wicked cameo…
When asked about the possibility of appearing in the movie adaptation,Chenoweth previously played coy about aWickedcameo, saying, “we’ll see,” though she also confirmed that she was “waiting” to get the call. The implication, of course, is that she would say “yes” if asked to appear in the film. Menzel has also been diplomatic about her potentialWickedcameo. “If I tell you I have to kill you,” Menzel told a reporter for KTLA 5 (viaYahoo).TheFrozenstar also shared that she and Chenoweth still “a real sense of pride” when it comes toWicked.
The Wicked Movie Already Has Me So Excited For 1 Character’s Journey
The newest teaser for the Wicked movie highlights one particular character whose arc could get more exploration in this adaptation.
Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth Shouldn’t Be Wicked’s Only Broadway Cameos
Wicked’s Big Ensemble Makes It Possible To Honor The Broadway Show’s Key Alum
GivenWicked’s over 20-year history on Broadway, actors other than Menzel and Chenoweth should also make cameos in the movie. So far, it seems the Wicked movie is carefully honoring its source material. Based on early teasers and trailers, theWickedmovie has overcome potential pitfalls, which makes long-time fans of the Broadway musical optimistic about the adaptation’s approach. All of this said,it would be great for original Broadway cast members like Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero) and Michelle Federer (Nessarose) to reunite with Menzel and Chenowethon the big screen whenWicked: Part Onepremieres.
Wickedpremieres in theaters on June 09, 2025.
Wicked
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.
