Wicked fans can’t agree on whether ‘love triangle’ exists in Wizard of Oz after seeing new film

Already a bonafide hit, John M. Chu's cinematic adaptation of the musical Wicked has landed to critical and commercial acclaim, leading viewers to pore over every single detail.

Wicked stars pop superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, later known as Glinda the Good Witch, and British singer Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West.

The musical begins with the residents of Oz rejoicing over green-skinned Elphaba's apparent death, while Glinda reflects upon the unlikely friendship between the pair during their younger years and what led Elphaba to become 'wicked'.

The plot serves as a prequel to the 1900 novel and 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which a young girl named Dorothy lands in Oz after dreaming of getting away from her hometown of Kansas.

Wicked also stars Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, the love interest of both Dorothy and Elphaba who, in the musical, becomes a scarecrow as a result of Elphaba's spell.

One user took to X to share stills from the 1939 Wizard of Oz, showing Glinda, The Wicked Witch and the scarecrow, writing: "Rewatching The Wizard of Oz knowing that these three were in a love triangle is so so funny."

Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, which was released back in 1939 (MGM)

Not everybody agrees on whether or not this is factually accurate, though.

One person responded: "Well not technically because wicked isn’t canon, it’s basically a fan fiction."

As another said: "Frank Baum didn’t write Wicked. His characters weren’t in a love triangle."

Others chose to hang onto the fun of the situation.

One person wrote: "Okay, but is it the option of the witches being in love with the Scarecrow or is it the option of one of them competing with the Scarecrow for the other's affection?" to which another user responded: "Unlike most fake love triangles, this is a proper love triangle that goes in all three directions."

Elphaba and Glinda form an unlikely friendship (Universal)

Another said: "Oh man, that's hilarious! The drama between those three never ends."

While a third added: "Rewatching The Wizard of Oz with that love triangle in mind Hilarious how it changes the whole dynamic."

Erivo and Grande have both been commended for their performances in Wicked, with Grande's ability to summon a laugh from the audience being highlighted across social media.

One person said: "Ariana Grande’s comedy is perfection in Wicked but ugh I love what she did in No One Mourns The Wicked. So subtle but effective."

Fiyero is loved by both Glinda and Elphaba (Universal)

Another said: "I’m on the 'Ariana Grande for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar' train. She is delightful in Wicked, with razor-sharp timing and presence that adds depth to the mean girl archetype.

"It’s one of the best comedic musical performances in years (maybe since Catherine Zeta-Jones)."

And a third added: "Ariana was getting so many giggles from the audience like she’s truly a comedic natural!"

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