Cynthia Erivo recently expressed her disappointment regarding a pivotal scene cut from the big screen adaptation of Wicked. This scene features a heartfelt exchange between her character, Elphaba, and Ethan Slater’s Boq, which explores their unspoken romantic feelings. The film, inspired by Gregory Maguire’s reinterpretation of L. Frank Baum’s classic narrative, delves into the tragic backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed by Erivo, while Slater’s Boq is depicted as her classmate from Shiz University, hailing from Munchkinland.
As Wicked enjoys its digital release, Erivo, along with her co-star Ariana Grande and director Jon M. Chu, participated in a discussion with Variety. They explored the various moments that didn’t make it into the final edit. Both actresses fondly recalled the scene where Elphaba and Boq candidly share their true feelings prior to her departure for the Emerald City, with Grande mentioning it includes her favorite line in the entire movie:
Ariana Grande-Butera: I love them all. They all have a cozy spot in my heart. I love the train station scene with Boq (Ethan Slater) and Elphaba (Erivo). That’s one of my favorite lines. The first time I read the script, that line Boq says, “Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought we were being honest,”me and my acting coach, Nancy Banks, put so many hearts around because we were like, “That’s the best line in the whole movie.”I think that scene has a lot of magnificent work in it, so I miss that.
Cynthia Erivo: I love that scene so much, so I was gutted when it was not there. And the scene in the forest (with Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero) right before I go and put the lion down… I was like, “Why?”That I missed.
Erivo also regretted the omission of a crucial conversation involving Elphaba, her father (Andy Nymen), and Madame Morrible. However, she expressed relief that audiences would eventually have the chance to view these deleted scenes with the movie’s home release.
Erivo: I loved that moment because it felt like people were holding her up. Those are the three scenes that I hate that they’re gone, but they’re there now, so you can see them.
The Significance of Elphaba & Boq’s Deleted Exchange in Wicked
The Limited Interactions of the Pair
While Elphaba’s feelings for Fiyero and Boq’s affection for Galinda are still addressed in the film’s final version—particularly during a key train station scene—the cut dialogue between Elphaba and Boq has resonated with many viewers, who wished it had been included in the release. Crucially, this scene provided a moment of vulnerability between the two characters, deepening the understanding of their struggles.
Despite later events shedding light on the characters’ arcs, fans felt that a direct acknowledgment of Elphaba’s feelings would have enriched the narrative, especially considering Boq’s fate in Wicked: For Good. Enhanced interactions could have added greater emotional weight to their storylines.
Insights on the Deleted Scenes of Wicked
Viewer Enthusiasm for More of Oz
The deleted scenes from Wicked prominently showcase character-driven moments that add depth to the storytelling. From additional exchanges between Elphaba and Galinda during the song “Popular”to deeper interactions while journeying to the Emerald City, many quieter scenes didn’t make it to the film’s final cut, which reflects the need for a balance between pacing and emotional exploration.
Although the critical and commercial success of Wicked indicates that the omission of these scenes did not detract from its overall reception, fans continue to express a strong desire for more subtle, character-focused moments, even if it might have resulted in a longer runtime. This enthusiastic feedback suggests that viewers eagerly anticipate further exploration of the Wicked universe, particularly with the sequel set to release in 2025.
Source: Variety
Source & Images: Screen Rant
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