The Wicked musical has been adapted into two individual movies, with one particular moment from the Broadway show serving as the logical end to part 1. The massively popular prequel story for The Wizard of Oz was first brought to Broadway back in 2003, and its fast success on the stage meant that an eventual movie was inevitable. Of course, there were significant challenges involved with bringing Wicked to the screen, and after years of development hell, two major motion pictures are on the way. This was, ultimately, the only way to pull such a project off.

Universal Pictures has director Jon M. Chu (In The Heights) at the wheel for both Wicked: Part 2 is sure to explore. Of course, Chu had to find the perfect spot to split Wicked into these two films—and the musical provided a prime opportunity.

Wicked Part 1 Is Expected To End After Defying Gravity

Defying Gravity Is The Final Scene Of Wicked's First Act

The first Wicked movie is expected to end after the musical number "Defying Gravity," which serves as the finale of the first act of the Broadway show. While Act 2 contains some exceptional scenes, Elphaba's big moment comes in "Defying Gravity," making it the climactic high point of the overall story. This allows for a natural stopping point for the first movie. What's more, the following act picks up after a small time jump, which should make the start of Wicked: Part 2 an organic continuation of the first film.

Wicked's Songwriter Already Explained Why Defying Gravity Has To End Part 1

Stephen Schwartz Explains The Role "Defying Gravity" Had Splitting The Wicked Movies

"Defying Gravity" is a convenient place to leave off the Wicked movie, but composer Stephen Schwartz, who worked on the original musical as well as the films, has explained that this song is the primary reason the show had to be split into two films. While the desire to maintain all the important moments of the 2-hour-and-45-minute show was a significant motivator, Schwartz found that continuing a movie after "Defying Gravity" was challenging to pull off. "The song is written specifically to bring a curtain down," he said, "and whatever scene to follow it without a break just seemed hugely anti-climactic."

"Defying Gravity" is one of 20 musical numbers in Wicked.

Audiences watching the Wicked musical watch the curtain fall after "Defying Gravity" and have a moment as the lights come up to fully process the magic they just experienced. After the intermission, they are welcomed back to a brand new Oz, in which Elphaba and Galinda (now Glinda) have both left their innocent school days and have officially stepped into their roles as the Wicked and Good Witches. Fitting this transition into a single film, which wouldn't come with that moment to break free of the illusion, certainly would have felt awkward by comparison.

How Wicked Part 1 Splitting The Musical Will Set Up Part 2

Wicked Part 1 Is The Prequel, While Part 2 Happens During The Wizard Of Oz

As previously mentioned, the two acts of Wicked split Elphaba and Glinda's stories into their school days and adult years. For this reason, the first Wicked movie will be primarily dedicated to these two developing their unlikely friendship, as well as the development of their magical powers. "Defying Gravity" comes as Elphaba realizes that the Wizard of Oz is a man of smoke and mirrors. She had thought his power could save Oz, but this big moment is when she accepts that she can only count on herself, even if doing so means she must become the Wicked Witch of the West.

Looking at the story this way, it's clear that there was no other option than splitting Wicked into two films.

The second act of Wicked takes place during the events of The Wizard of Oz but from Elphaba's perspective rather than that of Dorothy and her companions. In this way, the first Wicked movie will be the true Wizard of Oz prequel, which will set up the characters that ultimately play a role in Dorothy's iconic journey and the downfall of the deeply misunderstood Wicked Witch. Looking at the story this way, it's clear that there was no other option than splitting Wicked into two films. It's how the story was made to be told.