How Wicked Connects to The Wizard of Oz.

The article focuses on the enduring cultural significance of L. Frank Baum's *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* and its contemporary reinterpretation through the *Wicked* franchise. The current *Wicked* film, directed by Jon M. Chu and based on the 2003 Broadway musical—which itself draws from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel *Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West*—explores the backstory of Elphaba and Glinda before the events of the original Oz tale. While offering a revisionist perspective, the film maintains strong ties to Baum’s original narrative, incorporating familiar characters and plot elements. The article also notes that the *Wicked* story’s resonance reflects broader themes about societal change and the evolving American dream.