Jon M. Chu's Wicked is a 2024 musical fantasy film adapted from the famous novel written by Gregory Maguire in 1995. The franchise had its first Broadway premiere in 2003 and has since been a box office hit with mounting popularity.
The first part of the Tony-winning musical adaptation of Wicked was theatrically released on November 22, 2024. The story revolves around the origin of the famous Wicked Witch of the West (an antagonist from The Wizard Of Oz) whose real name is Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo).
The movie also portrays the journey of Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande-Butera), better known as Glinda The Good. The premise is set in a timeline that explores events before Dorothy's arrival.
There have been numerous questions about Elphaba's real father's identity. Though she has been raised by Frexpar Thropp over the years, her biological father is the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). Even though Elphaba's identity is part of the movie's plot twists, in the movie his face is hidden to conceal his identity and maintain the mystery.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the movie Wicked. Please be advised.
Why does Wicked obscure Elphaba's father's face?
Wicked: Part 1 keeps Elphaba's father's identity a mystery and never reveals his face. This is because of the complicated family tree that brings a twist to the storyline.
As seen in the movie, Frexpar Thropp, the high priest of the Land of Oz raises Elphaba. He does not like his adopted daughter and is always distant and disapproving.
But at the end of the book as well as the Broadway musical, it is revealed that the Wizard of Oz is Elphaba's real father. Elphaba's mother, Melena Thropp had an affair with him in the past.
The two were involved in a physical relationship and eventually, Elphaba was conceived. When she learns the truth about her real father, it affects Elphaba in ways she never thought it would.
Being neglected all her life by her foster parent Frexpar and abandoned by her real father, Elphaba rebels against the whole situation. Her transformation into the 'Wicked' Witch of the West is a combined consequence of the two things.
How does Wicked: Part 1 set up the revelation about Elphaba and her real father?
Though Wicked: Part 1 does not directly hint at Elphaba's real father, it provides small bits of premonition that will drive the story toward Wicked: Part 2 (2025). The Wizard (played by Goldblum) sings the father's part in the musical sequence 'No One Mourns The Wicked'.
Moreover, the song The Wizard And I builds upon Elphaba's urge to have a real father, someone who would approve of her rather than a stranger who has been always distant. Even the lyrics of Sentimental Man leave a foreshadowing as they narrate the Wizard's wish to become a parent.
"I am a sentimental man......Who always longed to be a father."
As the song No One Mourns The Wicked plays we see subtle cinematographic elements obscuring the Wizard's face. Most of his shots are taken from behind.
The frontal shots also have been cleverly taken to let his face be hidden by his hat's shadow. The Wizard's importance is central to the main plot. Moreover, it is because of his green elixir that gave Elphaba her skin color.
Also, she is the daughter of The Wizard and Melena, a woman from Oz. This genealogy is the reason behind her extraordinary magical powers, which would later help her to turn into the 'Wicked' Witch of the West.
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