Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Wicked

Fans of the long-running Broadway hit Wicked likely expected the film adaptation to find a way to honor its origins, including appearances by the original Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. After all, die-hard theater enthusiasts have kept anticipation alive through numerous delays, and director Jon M. Chu knows how to appeal to the devoted fanbase. However, it wasn’t clear how Menzel and Chenoweth would feature in the movie until Wicked finally hit theaters.

The legacy stars make their cameos during the “One Short Day” sequence, which unfolds after Elphaba and Glinda arrive in the Emerald City. This segment also introduces a new addition to the film's music: an expanded version of the Broadway show's Wizomania, a musical-within-a-musical. In the stage production, Wizomania briefly showcases pro-Wizard propaganda, complete with Flatheads (yes, stumpy characters with flat heads, courtesy of L. Frank Baum). The film’s take expands this into a fuller history of Oz, heavily skewed in the Wizard’s favor.

Menzel and Chenoweth appear as actors in this performance, essentially reprising their iconic roles in spirit. Though Menzel’s character isn’t green this time, the duo’s interaction captures their classic dynamic. Menzel exudes star power reminiscent of her time as Elphaba, while Chenoweth humorously tries to steal the spotlight, just as her Glinda might. Together, they sing about the Grimmerie, a legendary book of magic central to the Wizard’s mythos. The song tells a skewed tale of how the Wizard made the Grimmerie readable, a claim that, while untrue, is catchy enough to sell in song form.

Fans will notice a few nostalgic callbacks. Menzel lets out Elphaba’s iconic battle cry from “Defying Gravity” (reportedly with Cynthia Erivo’s blessing), while Chenoweth cheekily silences Ariana Grande mid-song by covering her mouth—classic Glinda behavior.

But these aren’t the only cameos in Wicked. Winnie Holzman, who wrote the original musical’s book and adapted Gregory Maguire’s novel, briefly appears as an Emerald City resident. Holzman also penned two versions of the film’s screenplay, one solo and another with co-writer Dana Fox.

Stephen Schwartz, the musical’s composer, takes on a slightly more noticeable role. He plays the palace guard who announces, “The Wizard will see you now!” to Elphaba and Glinda. A celebrated composer and lyricist with multiple Academy Awards and a Tony nomination (though Wicked lost Best Score to Avenue Q), Schwartz also contributed new songs to the Wicked films, including two for the upcoming second installment.

Looking ahead, Wicked: Part Two presents opportunities for even more original cast members to join the fun. Norbert Leo Butz and Christopher Fitzgerald, who originated the roles of Fiyero and Boq, would certainly make fitting additions as witch hunters.

More on Wicked

  • AMC’s Plan to Keep Theater Kids from Singing Along
  • The Best Moments to Take a Bathroom Break During Wicked
  • Wicked’s Cliffhanger Ending, Explained (and What to Expect in Part Two)