The Biggest Revelations From Wicked’s Deleted Scenes: Character Backstories and Teases for Part 2

Like all movies, certain scenes from Wicked: Part One ended up on the cutting room floor.

Luckily for fans, the film’s deleted scenes are available to watch now that the movie is streaming and available to purchase on several platforms. From a longer version of Fiyero’s (Jonathan Bailey) Shiz University arrival to extended looks at Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) Emerald City adventures, the cut scenes add even more magic to the musical adaptation.

Director Jon M. Chu explained in a December 2024 interview that while it broke his heart to cut certain scenes, he did so “to serve the bigger grand scheme of what the movie was trying to do, and have a rhythm that could be sustainable.”

Among the bonus clips is an extra scene from Glinda’s fan-favorite musical number, “Popular,” in which she helps Elphaba “get some pep in your step” by jumping on her bed. “I need you to bounce with me, girl,” she hilariously states, to which Elphaba replies: “I’m not really a kind of bouncing person. It’s not a thing I do.”

After getting Elphaba to loosen herself up, Glinda demonstrates another version of her iconic hair toss. “You can do toss, toss, leg,” she says while flipping her hair and sticking her leg out. Much like the other methods shown in the film, Elphaba tries to no avail.

Scroll down for everything the Wicked: Part One deleted scenes revealed about the film and teased for part two:

Pfannee and ShenShen’s Origins

In the movie, Bown Yang’s Pfannee and Bronwyn James’ ShenShen were already established as Glinda’s friends upon her arrival at Shiz. However, a deleted scene reveals just how the trio’s friendship came to be.

“[We’re] from Miss Cringeable’s Twirling Academy,” Pfannee states, after which ShenShen asks Glinda if she remembers them.

“Wait, of course,” Glinda says before the three break out their twirling academy moves. “Oh, so good to see you!”

Glinda proceeds to ask the pair how they are, to which Pfannee hilariously responds: “I’ve been through. I’ve been through.” (The line, improvised by Yang, made the comedian and Grande crack up as they recalled the scene on his “Las Culturistas” podcast.)

Fiyero Gets Scratched

The streaming release’s bonus content featured an extended clip of Fiyero and Elphaba’s adventures rescuing the lion cub. While arguing over where to release the young animal, the cub becomes agitated and scratches Fiyero’s face. Elphaba points out Fiyero’s injury in the original version, though the moment is not shown.

The clip ends with Elphaba placing the clip by a stream to drink, as she does in the theatrical cut.

Friendship Tensions

While Elphaba and Glinda become besties after making amends at the Ozdust Ballroom, a deleted scene of them studying in Madame Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh) classroom offers insight into how their relationship will be put to the test heading into Wicked: For Good.

“Didn’t expect magic to be so hard,” Glinda states after failing to levitate a coin. Pointing out differences in their upbringings, Elphaba replies: “Maybe it’s harder for you to make magic because things have been kind of easy for you. So you don’t need it.”

Changing the topic, Glinda asks Elphaba why she chose Fiyero to help her rescue the lion cub instead of her. “I would’ve helped you,” she says. “If you needed someone, you could’ve picked me.”

Sensing Glinda’s upset — and likely trying to hide her true feelings for Fiyero — Elphaba apologizes. “I’m sorry. It was a mistake,” she states. “I won’t leave you behind again.”

The moment leads into the scene in which Elphaba’s invitation to the Emerald City from The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) arrives at Shiz and previews Elphaba inviting Glinda to join her in Oz.

Boq And Elphaba Call Each Other Out

Two of the movie’s deleted scenes take place at the train station before Elphaba and Glinda journey to the Emerald City. While one sees the return of Elphaba’s father, Governor Thropp (Andy Nyman), and nanny, Dulcibear (voiced by Sharon D. Clarke), the other features a heart-to-heart conversation between Elphaba and Boq (Ethan Slater).

Boq informs her that he still has “hope” Glinda will return his affection, but Elphaba shuts down his hopes by questioning him about his true feelings for her sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode). “Why can’t you just tell my sister the truth?” she asks. Noting that he doesn’t share Nessarose’s love, he tells Elphaba that he doesn’t want to “hurt her.”

“I can’t just change my feelings,” he adds before asking Elphaba, “Could you change yours for Fiyero?” After she denies having a crush on Glinda’s boyfriend, Boq retorts: “Oh, I’m sorry. I misunderstood. I thought we were being honest.”

He gets up to join the rest of the train station crowd as Elphaba is left to think about his comments. This moment hints at more to come for Elphaba and Fiyero in part two.

Working ‘Hand in Hand’

In bonus footage of Elphaba and Glinda walking around the Emerald City, Elphaba encounters the same pop-up book about The Wizard she had in the flashbacks of her childhood. Looking forward to the pair’s meeting, she holds the hand of the cutout Wizard, a nod to “The Wizard and I” lyrics, “As we work hand in hand / The Wizard and I.”

The small interaction could also be a hint at Elphaba and the wizard’s connection in the film’s second half, which hits theaters in November 2025. (Spoilers!)