Wicked: For Good slashed substantial scenes from a romantic encounter between Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey after bosses deemed it overly “passionate”.
The highly anticipated sequel has finally arrived in cinemas following last year’s musical blockbuster that introduced Grande’s Glinda alongside her friend-turned-foe Elphaba (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo).
Following a fiery clash with the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), the duo part ways as Elphaba becomes public enemy number one whilst Glinda chooses to remain in the Emerald City.
Standing by her side is Bailey’s Prince Fiyero, whose allegiances face scrutiny due to his intense connection with Elphaba, with whom he eventually aligns.
Yet before uniting with the so-called ‘Wicked Witch’, Glinda and Fiyero experience an intimate moment that was reportedly far more intense during filming, reports the Mirror.
Co-writer Dana Fox has revealed to Deadline: “There was a scene between Fiyero and Glinda that we cut in which they kissed.
“It was romantic and beautiful, but a little too passionate.”
Whilst certain supporters might feel devastated about the sequence’s removal, Fox and director Jon M Chu’s justification for eliminating the scene proves logical considering Fiyero’s ultimate romantic destiny.
“Seeing that made it too hard to watch him make the choice he makes to be with Elphaba, and made it too hard to make it OK that Elphaba ran off with him,” Fox clarified.
“It was too real that he and Glinda were actually feeling something together.”
Whilst Fox acknowledged that Fiyero “really did love” Glinda, she insists that their bond differed from his connection with Elphaba.
Nevertheless, audiences might have formed the wrong impression had Bailey and Grande’s steamier portrayal of their romance stayed in the final version.
“But this scene was too romantic,” the screenwriter continued. “So it was like, ‘Oh, we can’t know that because then our brains will explode when he doesn’t choose her in the end.
“‘And then we’ll hate Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero.’ So, I think it was a good cut because it was too adorable that you simply couldn’t handle it.”
Fox’s revelation could send supporters into even greater excitement over the absent material, leaving them hoping that some Wicked behind-the-scenes footage emerges shortly.
Despite this, the sequel has already sparked controversy due to a rather provocative scene between the prince and the witch where Fiyero awakens shirtless in bed alongside Elphaba.
“Sitting in the theatre watching Wicked: For Good like damn there’s lowkey a sex scene in this PG lmaoo,” an X user remarked following their cinema experience.
Wicked: For Good is in UK cinemas now.
