Wicked fans stunned after realising why Toto is on a leash in new film

Wicked fans think they've worked out the real reason why Dorothy's dog Toto is on a leash in the new movie.

It's been a week since the highly-anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, hit cinemas so fans have had seven whole days to pick out their favourite scenes, analyse all of the little details, and of course come up with theories.

Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the movie follows on from the first film, which was released in November 2024, and sees Elphaba (Erivo) demonised by those in Oz and transformed into the Wicked Witch of the West, as she is known in L Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

There a multiple moments in the film that have already gone viral and got fans talking - Elphaba's 'sex cardigan' being one of them - don't ask.

Fans have been left confused over why Toto was on a leash in Wicked: For Good (Instagram/bethanyweavesx)

People have also been comparing the Wicked films to the OG 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz.

Despite fans guessing for months on end who would be playing the iconic role of Dorothy, we only end up seeing her from further away in a handful of screens - and in them, her full face is never shown.

The character was played by English actress, choreographer and dancer Bethany Weaver.

In one of her scenes, she's walking away from the camera alongside the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, as well as her pup Toto.

Although some fans were left confused as in the OG film, Toto isn't on a leash, whereas in Wicked: For Good, he is - and it's prompted a shock theory.

Clearly having given some thought to the matter, one Reddit user wrote: "I've been thinking about how we briefly see Dorothy and Toto walking on the yellow brick Road, and I immediately noticed how he is wearing a leash.

"I understand that it could be difficult to have dogs on set go where they need to go, but dogs are movie trained for that reason. The original Toto wasn't on a leash and she did her job really well."

They continued: "Something about a farm dog being on a leash just bothers me, especially when Toto is infamous for just walking around wherever he wants lol.

"Maybe he's in one because Dorothy wants to keep him close to her? But this doesn't really make sense considering how before she went to Oz she was in her bedroom, she wouldn't have had to put a leash on him yet.

"Also I just don't think there would be a dog leash in Dorothy's house, they're the kind of family to just open the door and let Toto go wherever he wants."

Someone else, who believes they've worked out the answer, took to Facebook to write: "Aha!!! Figured out why Chu [director Jon M. Chu] has Toto on a leash in Wicked: For Good!!!! When Elphaba sees Dorothy have Toto on a leash (that is as oppressive as having an animal in a cage). Thus to Elphaba… Dorothy is another oppressor." Mind-blown.

Fans will know that a huge theme in the film is animal rights, with the protagonists trying to stop the oppression and silencing of animals in Oz.

Essentially, Elphaba sees the leash and thinks Dorothy is becoming an agent of the Wizard, and while she doesn’t have the pup in a cage like other animals in the movie, she, too, is seen as an oppressor.

On social media, one fan quipped: "Ah he really does pay attention to all the details. Fantastic director!"

Another joked: "I think they should have expanded more on Elphaba's perspective on Dorothy because that little girl was holding toto on a LEASH (which she wasn't in the 1939 film). If I were Elphaba I'd kidnap that dog too!"