Discover the True Rider of the Horse in Wicked’s Opening Scene: It’s Not Fiyero

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Wicked, Wicked: For Good, and the Wicked Broadway musical!

The Great Mystery of Wicked’s Opening Scene

In the much-anticipated cinematic adaptation of Wicked, the opening scene features a mysterious cloaked rider on a white horse fleeing Kiamo Ko as flying monkeys soar over Oz. This intriguing moment has sparked a flurry of speculation among fans since it raises questions about the rider’s identity. The first part of the two-part film series has achieved phenomenal success at the box office and has received numerous award nominations. With Wicked: For Good set to premiere in 2025, audiences are eager to decipher clues from the original Broadway musical to unveil the secrets of this captivating story.

Who Is the Cloaked Rider?

The identity of the cloaked figure has become a hot topic of debate. Several theories have emerged, ranging from those contradicting the Broadway musical’s narrative to others that align with its storyline. Notably, the coming film adaptation will likely provide more clarity surrounding this enigma.

Fiyero Is Not the Cloaked Rider

The initial assumption by many viewers is that the rider is Fiyero, given that he is seen riding to Shiz shortly after Elphaba’s introduction. However, several key reasons suggest this theory is flawed.

In Act 2 of the Broadway adaptation, Elphaba transforms Fiyero into the Scarecrow to save his life during the song “No Good Deed.” This transformation sequence occurs almost concurrently with the cloaked rider’s escape, implying the action unfolds simultaneously.
The horse ridden by the cloaked figure is light-colored, contrasting sharply with Fiyero’s black steed.

In order for the rider to be Fiyero, significant alterations to the Broadway musical’s storyline would be necessary. Notably, while Fiyero is depicted as more complex in Gregory Maguire’s novel, he ultimately meets a tragic end. Given how faithfully the film aligns with the stage musical, it seems unlikely that such a departure from established character arcs will occur.

Elphaba’s Disguise: A Compelling Theory

Could the Cloaked Rider Be Elphaba?

Since Fiyero is unlikely the cloaked rider, Elphaba becomes the next logical candidate. This theory, while seemingly improbable at first glance, is supported by the musical’s narrative. In both the Wicked book and The Wizard of Oz, Elphaba appears to die when Dorothy splashes her with water. Yet, the musical introduces a twist: Elphaba and Fiyero plan to fake her death, using Kiamo Ko’s many trap doors to facilitate their ruse.

The film adaptation may alter how and where the characters reunite, but the essence of their bond remains crucial to the story. If the introduction follows Elphaba’s escape post-faked death, it could indeed depict her fleeing the castle.

Glinda in Disguise: Another Possibility

Glinda as the Cloaked Figure?

Another popular theory posits that the cloaked figure could be Glinda in disguise. In the musical, she conceals herself at Kiamo Ko during Elphaba’s apparent passing. If this scene directly follows Elphaba’s escape plan, Glinda’s clandestine departure makes sense. Avoiding her signature bubble—a distinguishing element of her character—would further conceal her identity.

However, two major obstacles arise with this suggestion:

In the musical, Glinda wears a ball gown during this pivotal moment, while the rider appears to don a cloak without similar attire.
Shortly afterward, she is seen announcing Elphaba’s demise to the Munchkins.

Nevertheless, these points could be reconciled. Glinda might not need to wear her ball gown during this escape, and the timeline can be manipulated in the film’s narrative. It is entirely feasible that she could switch from horseback to her bubble after putting some distance between herself and the castle.

Given the potential for creative expansion in Wicked: For Good, it remains plausible that Glinda is, in fact, the cloaked figure escaping Kiamo Ko.

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