Fiyero's Final Fate: An In-Depth Analysis of the 'Wicked: For Good' Ending and Broadway Changes

The final curtain has fallen on the cinematic journey to Oz with the release of "Wicked: For Good," the much-anticipated second half of the blockbuster film adaptation. This concluding chapter brings to a close the epic tale of Elphaba and Glinda, but it is Fiyero's dramatic fate that has audiences buzzing. This analysis will delve into the film's powerful conclusion, its significant departures from the beloved Broadway musical Wicked, and address the burning question regarding a potential post-credit scene.

Quick Context

Picking up after Elphaba's show-stopping "Defying Gravity" moment, "Wicked: For Good" adapts the second act of the iconic Broadway production. Starring Cynthia Erivo as the misunderstood Elphaba and Ariana Grande as the charismatic Glinda, the film explores the consequences of their choices as Oz descends into turmoil. The narrative examines themes of propaganda, friendship, and the true meaning of wickedness, culminating in a finale that both honors and expands upon its source material.

To bring this story to the big screen, the creators made several bold decisions to expand the narrative for a cinematic audience. These changes provide deeper emotional stakes and new layers to the characters we thought we knew, ensuring the film stands as its own entity while respecting the legacy of the stage show.

Surprising Fact: A Significantly Expanded Story

With a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes, "Wicked: For Good" is considerably longer than the second act of the stage musical. This expanded length allows for deeper character development, new scenes, and a more detailed exploration of Oz's political landscape, including the concrete consequences of the Wizard's oppressive regime.

Key Development: Brand New Musical Numbers

In a major addition for fans, the film introduces two entirely new songs not featured in the original Broadway production of Wicked. Elphaba performs a powerful anthem titled "No Place Like Home" as she tries to rally the fleeing Animals, while Glinda performs a pivotal new song, "Girl in the Bubble," which explores her internal conflict and decision to finally take a stand against injustice.

What You Need to Know

The core of "Wicked: For Good" centers on the resolution of its central conflicts: the battle for the soul of Oz, the unbreakable bond between its two witches, and the fate of the love triangle involving Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero. The film's ending provides a definitive, albeit bittersweet, conclusion that significantly alters key moments from the stage production.

Core Development: Fiyero's Ultimate Choice and Escape

A paramount question for any Wicked fan concerns Fiyero's romantic fate. The film provides a clear answer: Fiyero chooses Elphaba. After being captured and transformed into the Scarecrow, he ultimately reunites with Elphaba. The film concludes with the two escaping Oz together to start a new life, far from the reach of the Wizard and Madame Morrible. They orchestrate their apparent deaths, a necessary sacrifice to ensure their safety and allow Glinda to consolidate her power to reform Oz for the better.

Major Plot Change: Glinda and Fiyero's Wedding

To heighten the emotional stakes, the film introduces a drastic change from the musical. Instead of being merely engaged, Glinda and Fiyero are moments away from their wedding. Elphaba's dramatic return to the Emerald City coincides with their wedding day. She interrupts the ceremony after discovering the Wizard has been caging and silencing Animals, including her former professor, Dr. Dillamond. This interruption forces Fiyero to make a public and heartbreaking choice: abandoning Glinda at the altar to help Elphaba, thus making his devotion to her undeniable.

Key Question Answered: No 'Wicked For Good' Post-Credit Scene

Fans hoping for a Marvel-style tease of a future installment will have to wait. Reports confirm that "Wicked: For Good" does not have any post-credit scenes. The narrative concludes with a poignant sense of finality. The final shot is not a setup for a sequel but a meaningful moment focused on Glinda, leaving audiences to contemplate her future rather than teasing further adventures for Elphaba and Fiyero.

The Grimmerie's Final, Mysterious Scene

While there is no post-credit scene, the film's final shot is designed to spark discussion. As Elphaba and Fiyero escape, the perspective returns to Glinda as she looks over the Emerald City. The Grimmerie, the powerful book of spells that Elphaba entrusted to her, suddenly activates, opening on its own accord. Its meaning is left intentionally ambiguous, with theories suggesting it represents Glinda finally unlocking her own magical potential or serving as a final, silent message of connection from Elphaba.

Why This Matters (Implications)

The changes made in "Wicked: For Good" are not merely superficial; they fundamentally deepen the story's emotional and thematic resonance. By transforming Fiyero and Glinda's engagement into an impending wedding, the film intensifies the personal sacrifice and heartbreak involved. Fiyero’s decision transcends a mere change of heart; it becomes a public act of rebellion that costs him everything he once desired. This reinforces the central theme of choosing love and morality over societal acceptance.

Furthermore, the focus on Glinda's political ascension is more evident. Her new song, "Girl in the Bubble," explicitly charts her transformation from a privileged, passive bystander into an active agent of change. By depicting her use of newfound power to free the Animals, the film provides a more satisfying and complete arc for her character. It transforms the ending from a story of personal tragedy and escape into one of political succession and hope, suggesting that Elphaba's rebellion, carried on by Glinda, truly changed Oz for good.

What Experts Are Saying

The creative team behind the film has been open about their intention to expand upon, rather than merely replicate, the stage show. Co-writer Winnie Holzman stated, “we always knew we weren’t going to just plunk Act II into a movie script… We wanted to make sure that it wasn’t Act II, that it was a full-blown, real movie.” Co-writer Dana Fox added that a major focus was developing Glinda's journey, noting, "Glinda is the one who needed some serious changing."

Director Jon M. Chu explained the reasoning behind elevating the stakes with the wedding scene, saying, “We wanted the stakes to be higher.” He also clarified the decision to never show Dorothy's face, guided by the mantra, "The key is 'the girls, stupid,' " ensuring the narrative focus remained squarely on the complex relationship between Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda.

Potential Impact & Future Outlook

The definitive ending for Elphaba and Fiyero provides closure, but the expanded narrative and ambiguous final shot have fueled fan speculation. The absence of a post-credit scene appears to close the door on an immediate sequel, yet the way Glinda's leadership is established leaves fertile ground for potential future stories within the world of Oz. The conversation now shifts from "what happens next?" to "what does Glinda do now?"

These creative choices could establish a new standard for Broadway-to-film adaptations. By demonstrating that a beloved story can be expanded with new material to deepen its themes, "Wicked: For Good" may encourage future projects to take similar creative risks. The positive reception of these changes will likely be debated among fans for years, solidifying the film’s place as a distinct and powerful interpretation of a modern classic.

In conclusion, "Wicked: For Good" delivers a satisfying and emotionally resonant finale, granting Fiyero and Elphaba the happy ending denied to them in the public eye. By making bold changes to the beloved Wicked Broadway narrative, the film enriches its characters and themes, particularly through the powerful performances of stars like Cynthia Erivo. While no post-credit scene explicitly teases the future, the ending provides a powerful sense of closure while leaving room for imagination. What are your thoughts on Fiyero's ending and the changes from the Broadway show? Share your reactions in the comments below!

Tags: #Fiyero #WickedForGood #WickedBroadway Category: Technology & Science Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a69501001/wicked-for-good-post-credit-scenes/