Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Wicked
2024’sWickedconfirms the real name of The Wizard of Oz, connecting to the original Broadway production as well as the originalWizard of Ozstory by author L. Frank Baum. InWicked, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) encounter Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard in the Emerald City, eventually learning the truth about his lack of magical power, as well as his plans for the Land of Oz. To that end, the final act ofWickedalso reveals the Wizard’s true name before he became known as “Oz the Great and Powerful”.
As revealed during Elphaba and Glinda’s arrival in the Emerald City, the major number “One Short Day” confirms the people of Oz mistook the man who arrived in a hot air balloon asa powerful wizard capable of reading the Grimmerie. However, Oz has no true power and is instead just a con man and stage magician from Omaha who gradually comes to rule the Land of Oz, appearing to be benevolent while in reality ruling with an iron fist. To that end,The Wizard of Oz' true name is revealed inWickedshortly after Elphaba learns the truth and refuses to work with him.
Wicked Confirms Oscar Diggs In The Wizard’s Real Name
Shown Just Before “Defying Gravity”
As seen at the beginning ofWicked’sfinal number “Defying Gravity”, Glinda tries to reason with Elphaba and get her to stay in the Emerald City to try and compromise with the Wizard. Meanwhile, Elphaba tries to convince Glinda to join her and go on the run. While the two argue in the attic that holds the Wizard’s balloon and his things from Nebraska,posters and boxes can be seen in the background featuring a young Oz with his full stage name: Oscar Diggs.
Wicked’s 19 Wizard Of Oz Easter Eggs
Wicked features many overt references to The Wizard of Oz, but there are a variety of more subtle Easter eggs from the 1939 movie to be found.
Having been a stage magician back in Omaha, Oscar Diggs similarly called himself “The Wise and Magnificent” rather than the “Great and Powerful” as he’d come to be known in the Land of Oz. However, although Oz is an abbreviation,“Oscar Diggs” itself is shortened from the Wizard’s much longer name in the original story by L. Frank Baum. After all, The Wizard of Oz has seven middle names.
The Wizard’s Real Name Explains Why He Goes By Oz
Who’d Want To Be Called Pinhead?
In the originalWizard of Oz, Oz’s full name is Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambroise Diggs. While he tried turning his name into an acronym, it ended up spelling “Ozpinhead”.As a result, Oscar Diggs decided to simply go by the name Oz, only using the first two letters from his first two names. Naturally, this proved to be quite advantageous as it helped the people of Oz see him as a wizard destined to rule once he arrived in his balloon. As such, it stands to reason that Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard has the same full name inWicked, seven middle names and all.
Wicked
Cast
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.
