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Spoilers below.
As Jon M. Chu brought Wicked to the big screen, he made sure not only to be faithful to the stage musical, but also to pay homage to the film that inspired it, The Wizard of Oz. As a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s magical story, Wicked, based on the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire, expands on the world of Oz as it follows the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda the Good Witch’s formative years in college. But even as Elphaba and Glinda’s tricky friendship take center stage in Stephen Schwartz’s musical, there are plenty of Easter eggs and references linking them to Dorothy’s journey.
Here are the references throughout the film, some culled from the musical and others that are unique to the movie adaptation, ranging from the obvious to the very surprising. Be warned: These tidbits might give away what lies ahead in Wicked: Part Two.
Elphaba’s Hat and Broom
The film opens in the crime scene of Elphaba’s death—with an empty bucket of water spilled on the floor, which is what Dorothy threw on her, causing her to melt and perish. All that’s left behind is her pointed hat. Later in the film, we’ll learn that the hat originally belonged to Glinda’s grandmother, and she made Elphaba wear it as a mean prank. Her broom, on the other hand, is one she finds in the attic of the Wizard’s palace. She makes it fly using a levitation spell.
Dorothy’s Cameo
In the first few minutes of the film, as the camera pans over Oz, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man make an appearance walking on the yellow brick road together—but they’re shown from behind. Chu remains tight-lipped regarding whether the role of Dorothy will be cast for Part Two.
The Title Card
“Wicked: Part 1” is written in the same font as “The Wizard of Oz” in the 1939 film.
Nessarose’s Shoes
Elphaba’s younger sister receives her mother’s pair of jeweled shoes, gifted to her by her father. Though they’re silver at first, fans of the musical know that these special heels eventually turn ruby (I won’t say how) and end up on Dorothy’s feet. It’s true to the lore: the Wicked Witch of the West’s sister is the one wearing the shoes when the house falls upon her in The Wizard of Oz. For an extra easter egg, the film’s Nessarose sports striped socks, too.
Glinda also holds a pair of ruby shoes during “Popular,” but those aren’t the ones Nessa ends up with.
A Slight Gulch
On the first day of school, Miss Cottle is taken aback by Elphaba’s surprise, last-minute enrollment at Shiz. Brushing it off, she says it’s “just a slight gulch,” name-checking Almira Gulch, Dorothy’s evil neighbor whom she imagines as the Wicked Witch of the West.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Composer Stephen Schwartz has discussed in interviews how he used the first seven notes of the famous “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” melody (written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg) in Wicked’s “Unlimited” melody—the rhythm is just different. Schwartz wanted to incorporate Dorothy’s want song into Elphaba’s want song, as the “Unlimited” motif appears in “The Wizard and I” and later in “Defying Gravity.” It’s a sneaky but moving tribute.
Fiyero and Boq’s Poses
Fiyero’s cool stances around school aren’t just for vanity; they also foreshadow his future. In one moment, he poses in the doorway with his arms stretched wide, and in “Dancing Through Life,” he also hangs inside one of the spinning wheels upside down. The lyrics from the original musical make similar hints, with lines like, “Life’s more painless for the brainless.”
As for Boq, he’s seen holding up a croquet mallet the same way a certain character in Oz holds up an axe. Fans have also pointed out that when Glinda gives him a red handkerchief, she places it on his heart.
Poppies
Dr. Dillamond mentions that poppies are his favorite flower, to which Elphaba responds, “Me too.” She later brings him a bouquet full of poppies, which she accidentally levitates, sending her whole class (except Fiyero) into a deep sleep. It’s a reference to the Wicked Witch of the West leading Dorothy and her friends into a field of poppies to keep them away from the Wizard.
Elphaba Riding Her Bike
While leaving class, Fiyero and Elphaba grab a pair of bikes on campus and head into the forest. Elphaba places the cub in the basket of her bicycle, but he peeks his little head out of the lid—just like Toto did when Dorothy’s neighbor took him away.
“Mustn’t Let You Get Wet”
When it starts to rain, Madame Morrible opens her umbrella above Elphaba’s head and tells her, “Mustn’t let you get wet,” which also appears in the stage musical. In the scene, it seems like a simple kind gesture, but it’s a reference to Dorothy fatally splashing her with water, leading to her demise.
The Salon in Emerald City
During “One Short Day,” Elphaba and Glinda get treated to a quick trip to the Emerald City salon, just like how Dorothy & Co. got primped when they arrived there.
The Wizard’s Model City
In a scene that wasn’t in the musical, the Wizard shows Elphaba and Glinda a model of his vision for the future of Oz. They help him decide what color the main road should be, experimenting with blue and purple, but eventually landing on yellow.
The Wizard’s Curtain
During “A Sentimental Man,” the Wizard treats the two witches to a dance from behind the curtain, which could literally be a reference to “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,” from The Wizard of Oz. His shadows on the curtain also point to how the melting of Elphaba is staged in the theatrical production.
Flying Monkeys
When Elphaba takes a stab at a levitation spell in the Grimmerie, she accidentally forces the Wizard’s monkey army to grow wings. As an animal lover, this isn’t what she intended, but the Wizard assures her they could make great spies for any unwanted animal activity. Thus, the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West’s legion of flying companions.
The Hot Air Balloon
As Elphaba and Glinda run off from the Wizard, they end up in an attic which stores the Wizard’s hot air balloon—alluding to the one he uses for transport in The Wizard of Oz. To get away from the guards, the witches hop into the balloon and attempt to fly away, but the ceiling closes in on them before they can escape.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she’s listening to Lorde right now.