From Oz to Illinois: Wicked’s Surprising Emerald City Connection

With over $200 million made at the box office thus far, the film adaptation of Wicked is one of 2024's biggest hits.

It's no surprise that the movie has captured the hearts of many, especially those who fondly remember The Wizard of Oz from their childhood.

Besides, the Wicked Broadway Musical has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, and fans have been waiting for years to see their beloved show grace the silver screen.

The Wait Isn’t Over: Part Two on the Way

Now that the first part has delighted us and left us craving for more, the eagerly awaited part two is set to arrive next year. In the meantime, some of us are diving into some behind-the-scenes stuff to tide us over.

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Did you know that Wicked has a fascinating connection to Illinois, more specifically Chicago?

Beside L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, penned the book while living in Chicago, and the name Elphaba is also based on his name.

The Emerald City: Inspired by Chicago’s World’s Fair

Jon M. Chu, the director of Wicked, told Fox 32 in Chicago:

The World's Fair in Chicago at that time definitely played into what we thought of what the Emerald City should look like. We wanted those references and then the Denslow drawings were big references into our movie.

Those Denslow drawings Chu is speaking of are from W. W. Denslow, the man who illustrated the first of fourteen Wonderful Wizard of Oz books, which remains the most popular Oz books.

Spot an Easter Egg? Let Us Know!

See any other awesome Easter eggs from Wizard of Oz in Wicked? Tell us.