Depraved Forged & Character Information: Who Performs Who?

After years of delays and anticipation, the primary half of Jon M. Chu’s sprawling, two-part film adaptation of “Depraved” — the massively fashionable Broadway musical based mostly on Gregory Maguire’s retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” — is lastly hitting theaters, and Chu has assembled an all-star forged to convey Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Broadway hit to the massive display screen. “Depraved” flips the script on L. Frank Baum’s unique story about Dorothy (Judy Garland in the traditional 1939 “Wizard of Oz” movie) exploring the magical land of Oz by specializing in Elphaba, a younger lady born with inexperienced pores and skin who struggles to slot in on the prestigious Shiz College and finally turns into the legendary popular culture villain The Depraved Witch of the West (memorably portrayed by Margaret Hamilton within the ’39 film).

So, who’s in Chu’s “Depraved” film, a long time after Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth originated the lead roles of Elphaba and Galinda (the latter of whom turns into the Good Witch, performed by Billy Burke in “The Wizard of Oz”) on stage? From main pop stars to fellow Broadway veterans and Oscar winners, here is who performs who in “Depraved” and precisely how the characters match into the story. (Once more, these are the main characters that characteristic in “Depraved: Half One,” as “Half Two” will not hit theaters till November 2025.)

Sadly for Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), the brilliant inexperienced hue of her pores and skin — which she refers to as “verdigris” in one of many musical’s songs, “The Wizard and I” — units her aside instantly when she arrives at Shiz College. That is nothing new for Elphaba; within the stage musical, it is revealed that her late mom had an affair that resulted in a green-skinned child, main Elphaba’s father to resent her presence perpetually. (If this sounds darkish, relaxation assured that Elphaba’s complete deal in Gregory Maguire’s unique e book is manner darker.) Elphaba’s troubles at Shiz solely intensify when she finally ends up rooming with Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande), a bubbly, fashionable scholar who bullies Elphaba at first earlier than the 2 lastly uncover some widespread floor (and grow to be shut associates).

For a lot of musical theater followers, it was extremely thrilling to be taught that Erivo scored the lead function of Elphaba” within the “Depraved” film. Erivo memorably gained a Tony for her function as Celie in “The Colour Purple,” which started its run off-Broadway in 2013 and transferred to the Nice White Method in 2015. (She gained the statue and a Grammy for Greatest Musical Theater Album in 2016 and 2017.) On the massive display screen, Erivo has starred in main movies like 2018’s “Widows,” the 2019 biopic “Harriet” (which earned her an Oscar nomination for taking part in Harriet Tubman), and Robert Zemeckis’ 2022 remake of “Pinocchio” because the Blue Fairy.

For those who’re fearful about Ariana Grande’s appearing chops — since we know she has the vocal vary for a big-screen film musical — permit me to remind you that the lady grew up within the Nickelodeon mines, and he or she’s past prepared for a humorous but emotional lead function that enables her to indicate off her versatility as a performer. When Grande’s Galinda Upland first meets Elphaba, she’s simply as judgmental as all people else due to Elphaba’s inexperienced pores and skin, however after she methods Elphaba into sporting an unsightly hat to a dance as an act of humilitation, Galinda adjustments her tune. All through the primary half of “Depraved,” Elphaba and Galinda grow to be finest associates … solely to be torn aside by political strife in Oz (although that half should look ahead to “Depraved: Half Two”).

Does Grande even actually want an introduction? Simply in case you are utterly unfamiliar with the pop goddess with a 4 octave vocal vary (who’s mastered the super-high whistle register as well), the two-time Grammy winner and bestselling recording artist is chargeable for hits like “Break Free,” “Thank U, Subsequent,” and “Sure, And” bought her begin on Nickelodeon tasks like “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat.” Other than a cameo in Adam McKay’s 2021 satire “Do not Look Up,” that is Grande’s first main film function, however simply look to her extraordinary activates “Saturday Night time Dwell” for proof that she’s bought what it takes.

At first, it looks like Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is just a strict but truthful trainer at Shiz College — particularly when she provides non-public classes to Elphaba after bearing witness to the younger green-skinned lady’s magical talents. (Sure, this complete story is ready within the fantastical world of Oz, however not everyone seems to be able to magic; solely true witches and wizards.) Later, although, it is revealed that Madame Morrible is definitely deeply concerned within the authorities’s soiled schemes and works immediately with the corrupt Wizard himself (extra on him in a second), giving the character a heel-turn that Yeoh will, undoubtedly, pull off with aplomb.

Yeoh has been an business staple for a long time, showing in all the things from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” to “Memoirs of a Geisha,” the James Bond flick “Tomorrow By no means Dies,” and the big romantic comedy “Loopy Wealthy Asians.” In 2022, due to Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s sci-fi action-comedy “Every thing All over the place All at As soon as,” Yeoh not solely booked her first-ever lead function, however she additionally turned the primary Asian lady to win the Academy Award for Greatest Actress. Throw in appearances in style fare just like the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and the TV collection “Star Trek: Discovery,” and you have a significantly achieved and beloved actor who will certainly convey one thing particular to “Depraved.”

Casting Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum because the enigmatic false god often called The Fantastic Wizard of Oz is a stroke of complete genius. Anybody who’s seen “The Wizard of Oz” already is aware of the man is mainly a fraud, however “Depraved” takes his complete charade one step additional and divulges that he is just a few man from Nebraska who crash-landed his sizzling air balloon in Oz and ended up changing into the land’s ruler. Sadly for Elphaba, she desperately needs to fulfill the wizard — no, significantly, she sings like three separate songs about hoping to fulfill him to allow them to enhance Oz collectively — and when she does, she learns that he plans to depend on her magical talents for his personal nefarious functions, as a result of he is not really a wizard in any respect.

You already know who Goldblum is. All people does. The man’s been in all the things from “Jurassic Park” to Wes Anderson films like “The Grand Budapest Lodge” to Marvel movies like “Thor: Ragnarok” and the motion thriller “Independence Day,” and total, he is probably the most universally adored Hollywood stars round. The Wizard could be a fraud, however Goldblum is the actual deal, and he’ll undoubtedly convey his signature allure to the function.

Each film wants a heartthrob, and Jonathan Bailey fills that function in “Depraved” as Fiyero Tigelaar, a good-looking Shiv scholar and royal prince who instantly catches each lady’s consideration when he arrives at college. Sadly for Galinda, who’s smitten with him straight away, Fiyero finally ends up forming an sudden bond with Elphaba, and the 2 catch emotions fairly rapidly; sadly for all people concerned, all the things adjustments after Galinda and Elphaba meet the Wizard and Elphaba mainly turns into the face of the Oz resistance. (We’ll have to attend for “Depraved: Half Two” for that to actually get going, although.)

Bailey is certainly used to taking part in a heartthrob after his flip in “Bridgerton” season 2 — the place he carries out a simmering, slow-burn romance as Anthony Bridgerton reverse Simone Ashley’s Kate Sharma — and you might have additionally seen his acclaimed flip within the miniseries “Fellow Vacationers,” the place he carries on a forbidden affair with Matt Bomer. He additionally confirmed up in a significant visitor function in season 3 of Netflix’s swoony teen drama “Heartstopper,” and don’t fret, he can sing too. Bailey’s stage resumé is fairly intensive, and in 2019, he gained a Laurence Olivier Award for his function as Jamie in a gender-swapped, London-based manufacturing of “Firm.”

If Jon M. Chu splits “Depraved” up in the very same manner that the Broadway musical divides Act 1 and Act 2, followers should wait a short time to see precisely what occurs with Boq Woodsman, a lovelorn Munchkin performed by Ethan Slater. Proper from the beginning, Boq has a enormous crush on Galinda, however she finally ends up tricking him into asking Elphaba’s youthful sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode, each of whom I will circle again to momentarily) to Shiz College’s first massive dance, at which level Nessa falls laborious for Boq. He isn’t going to look notably very important within the first a part of “Depraved,” however file Boq’s complete deal away for subsequent yr.

As for Slater, “Depraved” is his first massive movie mission. On the small display screen, he is appeared in episodes of exhibits like “Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit,” “Fosse/Verdon” (the place, by the way, Slater performs Joel Gray, the Broadway veteran who appeared within the unique Broadway forged of “Depraved” because the Wizard), and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Slater is probably going most well-known at this level for his lead function in “The Spongebob Musical,” which earned him a Tony nomination, and his high-profile relationship with Galinda herself, Ariana Grande.

For those who’ve seen “The Wizard of Oz,” you’ll be able to most likely work out the destiny that befalls Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba’s paraplegic youthful sister, if you happen to recall what occurs to the Depraved Witch of the West’s sister. (Here is a touch: she earns the same title involving the phrase “east.”) Firstly of “Depraved,” although, Nessarose — performed by Marissa Bode — is just a younger and keen scholar excited to be by her sister’s facet at Shiz, the place she develops an enormous crush on Boq Woodsman after they attend a dance collectively. Very like Boq, Nessarose’s half within the total story is a lot larger within the musical’s second act, so Bode’s full arc should wait till “Depraved: Half Two.”

That is Bode’s first feature-length movie, which is astounding, however she’s additionally making historical past as the primary actor in a wheelchair to ever play Nessarose. (Within the stage adaptation, an able-bodied actor performs the function as a result of Elphaba magically “restores” Nessarose’s legs in Act 2.) “I am genuinely so honored that it is me doing that,” Bode instructed Selection in September 2024. “Seeing someone authentically forged like that on display screen is simply so vital, particularly in one thing so cool and so magical as ‘Depraved.'” Relating to that Act 2 plot level, Bode teased that it adjustments a bit, however total, she mentioned she was happy with the movie’s inclusivity and imaginative and prescient. “Casting authentically and displaying an genuine disabled individual is essential, however it’s additionally essential how we’re proven,” Bode mentioned. “I’m very proud of the adjustments which have been made, for certain.” It’s going to be superb to see Bode make her big-screen debut in “Depraved,” and the following film will give this rising star a good larger showcase.

A significant subplot in “Depraved” that has nothing to do with witchcraft or wizardry is a rising “anti-animal” sentiment all through Oz, that means that any capital-A “Animals” who can communicate English and mainly dwell as people are immediately considered as an issue in society. Early within the musical, Physician Dillamond (a goat) reveals to Elphaba that the Ozian authorities has expressed curiosity in caging Animals and that there is even a bigger, darker conspiracy to forged a spell upon all Animals to cease them from talking ever once more. Elphaba is outraged and pledges to assist Physician Dillamond and his type in any manner that she will be able to, however the good physician finally ends up fired from Shiz College … and as soon as once more, you may have to attend and see what occurs to Physician Dillamond within the second half of “Depraved.”

In Jon M. Chu’s film, Physician Dillamond is a CGI creation, however he is voiced by Peter Dinklage, winner of a number of Emmys and one other universally adored Hollywood staple. Audiences most likely know Dinklage finest for his eight-season run on “Sport of Thrones” as fan favourite Tyrion Lannister — a job which gained Dinklage a whopping 4 Emmys — however he is additionally appeared in enormous tasks like “Elf,” “Three Billboards Outdoors Ebbing, Missouri,” and style fare like “The Starvation Video games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” “X-Males: Days of Future Previous,” and “Avengers: Infinity Warfare.” 

Galinda’s associates and henchmen Pfannee and ShenShen — performed within the movie by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James — aren’t enormous characters in Gregory Maguire’s e book or the Broadway musical, however their roles are undoubtedly expanded within the film … and so they’re fairly totally different as well. For starters, Pfannee is a woman within the e book however turned a queer man when Yang joined the forged, and ShenShen will get elevated from an ensemble character within the musical to somebody with precise display screen time. So, the place have you ever seen Yang and James earlier than?

Yang is certainly finest identified for his ongoing function as a repertory participant on “Saturday Night time Dwell” in addition to for his roles in films like “Fireplace Island” and “Bros” and TV exhibits like “Girls5Eva” and “The Different Two.” (Yang can be extraordinarily shut together with his “Depraved” co-star Ariana Grande and, in anticipation of the movie, hosted her on “Las Culturistas,” his fashionable podcast with Matt Rogers.) As for James, the British actor has appeared in single episodes of exhibits like “Ghosts,” “Outlander,” and “Gradual Horses,” and performed a significant function on the collection “Harlots” as Fanny Lambert.

“Depraved” will open in theaters on November 22, 2024.