The Wizard’s Real Name In Wicked & Wizard Of Oz

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Wicked

2024’s Wicked confirms the real name of The Wizard of Oz, connecting to the original Broadway production as well as the original Wizard of Oz story by author L. Frank Baum. In Wicked, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) encounter Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard in the Emerald City, eventually learning the truth about his lack of magical power, as well as his plans for the Land of Oz. To that end, the final act of Wicked also reveals the Wizard’s true name before he became known as “Oz the Great and Powerful”.

As revealed during Elphaba and Glinda’s arrival in the Emerald City, the major number “One Short Day” confirms the people of Oz mistook the man who arrived in a hot air balloon as a powerful wizard capable of reading the Grimmerie. However, Oz has no true power and is instead just a con man and stage magician from Omaha who gradually comes to rule the Land of Oz, appearing to be benevolent while in reality ruling with an iron fist. To that end, The Wizard of Oz’ true name is revealed in Wicked shortly after Elphaba learns the truth and refuses to work with him.

Wicked Confirms Oscar Diggs In The Wizard’s Real Name

Shown Just Before “Defying Gravity”

As seen at the beginning of Wicked’s final number “Defying Gravity”, Glinda tries to reason with Elphaba and get her to stay in the Emerald City to try and compromise with the Wizard. Meanwhile, Elphaba tries to convince Glinda to join her and go on the run. While the two argue in the attic that holds the Wizard’s balloon and his things from Nebraska, posters and boxes can be seen in the background featuring a young Oz with his full stage name: Oscar Diggs.

Having been a stage magician back in Omaha, Oscar Diggs similarly called himself “The Wise and Magnificent” rather than the “Great and Powerful” as he’d come to be known in the Land of Oz. However, although Oz is an abbreviation, “Oscar Diggs” itself is shortened from the Wizard’s much longer name in the original story by L. Frank Baum. After all, The Wizard of Oz has seven middle names.

The Wizard’s Real Name Explains Why He Goes By Oz

Who’d Want To Be Called Pinhead?

In the original Wizard of Oz, Oz’s full name is Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambroise Diggs. While he tried turning his name into an acronym, it ended up spelling “Ozpinhead”. As a result, Oscar Diggs decided to simply go by the name Oz, only using the first two letters from his first two names. Naturally, this proved to be quite advantageous as it helped the people of Oz see him as a wizard destined to rule once he arrived in his balloon. As such, it stands to reason that Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard has the same full name in Wicked, seven middle names and all.

Wicked is now playing in theaters.

Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Director

Jon M. Chu

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Studio(s)

Marc Platt Productions

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum

Cast

Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd

Character(s)

Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda’s Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife

Runtime

160 Minutes

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