Adam McKay believes that ‘Wicked’ could be banned within three years if the U.S. “keeps this up.”
Based on the musical of the same name, the blockbuster movie stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as two classmates at Shiz University on their journey to becoming Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively.
Towards its climax, the movie depicts the moment when the two characters finally meet the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ played by Jeff Goldblum. It is revealed that the Wizard has a tyrannical rule over the people of Oz.
Now, ‘Don’t Look Up’ and ‘The Big Short’ director McKay has shared his thoughts on the film’s politics, writing on X on Tuesday (December 24):
“On a pure storytelling level Wicked Part 1 is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made. I know Part 2 swings back to the center a bit but Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda.”
He added, “What’s really striking about Wicked Part 1 is that it’s coming out NOW when America has never been more right wing and propagandized. And yes, I know the theatrical production and the book are much older so part of the timing is a coincidence but still…”
Responding to another X user, McKay emphasized that with the possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency, he believes films with such bold messages might not be welcome for much longer:
“I think you’ll be shocked. If America keeps going on the track it is I wouldn’t be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years.”
The second part of the film, titled ‘Wicked: For Good,’ is expected to be released in November 2025.
