Since its Broadway debut over 20 years ago and nearly 30 years after the publication of the original book, “Wicked” has once again engaged audiences with its new film adaptation featuring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.

“Wicked,” which loosely derives from the 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, explores the backstories of the witches we encounter in Oz during Dorothy’s memorable journey. Similar to previous fairytales, Baum’s original story has led to numerous sequels, adaptations, and variations. He himself authored 13 sequels and additional collections between 1904 and 1919, with the last one released posthumously in 1920.

Even after his passing, many books inspired by Baum’s original work have emerged, including Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked.” Notably, “Wicked” is not the first musical based on “The Wizard of Oz”; it follows various theatrical productions, including a Broadway musical version that ran from 1903 to 1904 and “The Wiz,” which earned the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1975.

This extensive and varied history illustrates how influential the original story is, yet it can cause confusion regarding which parts belong to which narrative and how viewers should interpret “Wicked” within the larger story universe.

Here’s what you need to understand about “Wicked” and its place in the “Wizard of Oz” timeline.

What is the setting of ‘Wicked’?

“Wicked” serves as a prequel, effectively providing the origin tales of key figures from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Grounded in Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” the story unfolds prior to L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the subsequent 1939 film adaptation.

Set years before Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz, “Wicked” reveals how original characters G(a)linda the Good (known as the Good Witch of the South or North depending on the version) and Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch of the West, evolved into the figures that Dorothy and her companions encounter later.

In Maguire’s novel, the storyline of Dorothy pursuing the Yellow Brick Road does appear but is reserved for the conclusion. It offers a broader timeline indicating that the Wizard ruled for about 40 years before leaving Emerald City, an event reflected in “The Wizard of Oz.”

This aligns with the second act of the “Wicked” musical (and likely the upcoming second part of the film) which references Glinda and Fiyero working for the Wizard nearly a decade after graduating from Shiz University. Ultimately, the narrative culminates with Elphaba meeting Dorothy in a very iconic moment.

All these hints suggest that the chronologies of “Wicked,” both the book and musical, commence approximately forty years prior to the occurrences in “The Wizard of Oz.” While each of the five adaptations (the original “Wizard of Oz” book and film, “Wicked” the novel, stage musical, and movie) features variations that set them apart from each other, the overarching backdrop remains consistent: “Wicked” unfolds decades before “The Wizard of Oz” and aims to unravel the origin stories of the witches in their formative years.

References to ‘Wizard of Oz’ in ‘Wicked’

It is clear that the “Wicked” film diverges from both the stage musical and the book, just as the original film is quite distinct from Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

This perhaps sounds a bit complicated, but this is typical for adaptations: what resonates in one medium may not translate effectively to another.

Nonetheless, like the stage version, the movie includes notable references to the source material. Some references are designed to anchor the setting in time and place, while others provide fun nods for fans to catch.

The most prominent reference occurs right at the film’s outset, where viewers are greeted by a title screen reminiscent of the classic film, alongside a fleeting glimpse of Dorothy, Scarecrow, The Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion stroll along the Yellow Brick Road.

When Glinda makes her entrance, she emerges in her famous bubble. During the song “Popular,” Elphaba is seen holding a pair of ruby-red slippers. Additionally, when Elphaba and Glinda arrive in Emerald City, they assist the Wizard in deciding what color to paint the yet-to-be-yellow brick road. Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose, receives and wears silver shoes that are true to the original color described in the book. Elphaba also uses a bouquet of poppies to put her classmates to sleep and saves a lion cub, who later becomes known as the Cowardly Lion; and there’s much more besides.

Keep your eyes peeled, and you might notice even additional references. The “Wicked” book, musical, and film are loosely inspired by the Oz universe created by Baum, but they have developed the setting in ways that audiences have cherished for decades. This trend looks set to continue, particularly if the opening weekend box office numbers are anything to go by.