The cinematic conclusion of Wicked: For Good has finally addressed one of the musical theatre world's most enduring mysteries: what does Glinda whisper to Elphaba in that iconic moment? Director Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have broken their silence about the film's poignant final shot, though the actual words remain tantalisingly secret.
The Iconic Poster Comes to Life
Since Wicked first enchanted Broadway audiences, theatre enthusiasts have been fascinated by the original production poster featuring Glinda whispering into Elphaba's ear as she smirks in response. Though this specific scene never appeared in the stage musical, its compelling imagery sparked endless speculation among the show's devoted fanbase.
While Erivo and Grande previously recreated the famous illustration to promote the first Wicked film, Wicked: For Good takes the homage further by incorporating the moment directly into its narrative. The movie's emotional conclusion features a flashback where Glinda leans in to share a secret with Elphaba before the screen fades to black, leaving viewers wondering about their exchange.
What the Cast and Director Revealed
In discussions with TODAY.com, director Jon M. Chu expressed his reverence for the original artwork. "That image is not in the show, it was just on a poster, and the poster becomes so iconic," Chu explained. "There's like, dissertations about that design, like, what are they saying? What does it mean? Is that friendship? Is that subversive? Is that a secret plan?"
The director confirmed he included the moment as a deliberate nod to the beloved poster, creating his own interpretation for cinematic audiences. When pressed about the whispered content, Cynthia Erivo remained characteristically discreet. "I would never say," she stated. "I think it's why this movie feels the way it feels, because there are so many really beautifully intimate, sweet, private moments that you end up watching on the screen."
The Secret Stays Secret
Despite his position as director, even Jon M. Chu admitted he might not know the complete truth. "I'm the only one who knows what the girls were saying to each other," he claimed, before adding a tantalising caveat: "And they may have been even lying to me, so I could see them definitely whispering something that's not what they said to me. And I will never reveal that. That's for sure."
This artistic decision maintains the mystery that has surrounded the whisper since Wicked's inception, inviting audiences to imagine their own meaning behind the magical moment. Much like the original poster that inspired it, the film preserves the private nature of the exchange between the two beloved characters.
The revelation comes as Wicked: For Good completes the two-part cinematic adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, bringing Stephen Schwartz's beloved musical to its emotional conclusion while honouring the elements that made the stage production so memorable to British theatregoers and global fans alike.
