“You Could’ve Picked Me”: Heart-Wrenching Deleted Scene of Elphaba & Glinda from the Movie

Since the digital release of Wicked, fans have been eagerly discussing several deleted scenes, particularly one that showcases a poignant interaction between Elphaba and Glinda. This film, rooted in the universe of The Wizard of Oz, explores Elphaba’s journey as she navigates her identity at Shiz University, develops a deep friendship with Glinda, and ultimately learns to embrace herself. Despite being ostracized for her green skin, Elphaba’s compassionate nature drives her to enact positive change, although her intentions lead to unexpected consequences in the film’s dramatic conclusion.

Since its debut in November 2024, Wicked has garnered substantial acclaim, largely attributed to the electrifying performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who bring Elphaba and Glinda to life. The film boasts an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has become one of the year’s highest-grossing movies. Consequently, the release of the deleted scenes has sparked significant online interest, particularly surrounding the “Elphaba’s Promise”scene, which emphasizes the emotional bond between the two characters.

Exploring Wicked’s “Elphaba’s Promise”Deleted Scene: What It Entails & Reasons for Its Removal

The Context of the “Elphaba’s Promise”Scene

The “Elphaba’s Promise”scene unfolds after Elphaba and Fiyero have successfully rescued a lion cub. During a moment of reflection while practicing spells, Glinda expresses her feelings, saying, “I would’ve helped you. If you needed someone, you could have picked me.”This heartfelt moment showcases not only Glinda’s desire to stand by Elphaba but also Elphaba’s growth as she responds, “I won’t leave you behind again.”This exchange illustrates the evolution of their friendship, emphasizing the challenges they’ve faced together.

new deleted wicked scene pic.twitter.com/bjLzW9bZlu — best of glinda (@glindasupland) December 31, 2024

This deleted scene enriches the narrative by delving deeper into the emotional fabric of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. Many fans have voiced their opinions on social media, arguing that it should have remained in the final cut due to its strong representation of their bond and its foreshadowing of future developments. However, director Jon M. Chu indicated in an interview with Bustle that the scene was removed to avoid revealing too much about Glinda’s path to joining Elphaba in Emerald City, as well as for time considerations.

The Case for Keeping Glinda & Elphaba’s Scene in Wicked

Significance of the Scene in Understanding Character Dynamics

Despite understandable reasons for omitting the scene, the inclusion of “Elphaba’s Promise”could have enhanced the narrative of Wicked. In just a couple of minutes, this scene would have clarified the depth of Elphaba and Glinda’s affection for one another. Glinda’s heartfelt declaration of loyalty underlines her desire for genuine friendship, breaking through her facade of popularity. Likewise, Elphaba realizes Glinda’s dedication to her, bolstering the emotional stakes in their evolving relationship.

Beyond illustrating their current emotional landscape, this scene also serves to contextualize aspects of the plot that unfold later, such as their interactions in the Emerald City and with The Wizard of Oz itself. While Wicked succeeds in showcasing a unique and profound friendship, the absence of “Elphaba’s Promise”leaves a void in fully fleshing out these character dynamics.

For additional insights, visit Rotten Tomatoes and Bustle.

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