Wicked: For Good Production Design Secrets
- Olive Pritchard
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Good news! Wicked: For Good is in theatres November 21st, transporting audiences back to Oz for the second installment of the iconic story. The highly anticipated first installment of the Broadway show did not disappoint, scoring 10 Academy Award nominations and winning 2 for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Check out these 5 Wicked production design secrets that reveal how the team pulled out all the spells to bring Oz to life - no grimoire required. We can't wait to see John Chu's take on the second half of this epic tale and witness the stunning production design that helps bring the land of Oz to life on the big screen.
PD Secret 1. Creating Real Sets for the Land of Oz
Nathan Crawley, the production designer behind Wicked, set out to build a world that felt as tangible and immersive as possible. From Shiv University to the Emerald City, almost all the sets in Wicked were practically constructed, using minimal CGI. Designed with high-resolution IMAX cameras in mind, Crawley's team spent several months across 4 sweeping backlots bringing the Land of Oz to life.
PD Secret 2: The Construction of Munchkinland
When designing Munchkinland, Crawley wanted more than simply a colorful whimsical background. He envisioned a set that created a sense of purpose and belonging for the Munchkins. To bring this vision to life, his team planted and transported 9 million tulips from Norfolk to London, creating a vibrant landscape that supported his idea of Munchkins as flower farmers who used the tulips as dyes.
PD Secret 3: The Spinning Wheels of the Library
While it doesn’t show up until later in the first film, the spinning library was the very first set built. Crawley drew his inspiration from Fred Astaire’s rotating room in Royal Wedding, and it was Jon M. Chu who suggested that the walls be bookshelves. The result was the circular steel drums driven by giant belts that we see as the backdrop for Fiyero’s performance of “Dancing Through Life.”
PD Secret 4: The Emerald City Express Train
The iconic Emerald City Express - the train that transports Glinda and Elphaba to Oz - was one of the production's most striking practical builds. Weighing in at an impressive 16 tons, it took 2 days to transport to set and required a purposeful design - the whimsical world of Oz meant that more traditional forms of transport involving animals or energy didn’t make sense for the story. The Emerald City Express we see in Wicked was thoughtfully designed to run on a clockwork system, mirroring the Wizard’s use of automation.
PD Secret 5: Glinda’s Pink Bubble Dress
Glinda makes her iconic grand entrance floating down above Munchkinland in her magical pink bubble, so it’s no surprise that a lot of attention went into this first look. Instead of the blue dress we see in the Broadway show, Costume Designer Paul Tazewell wanted to honor Billie Burke’s dress from The Wizard of Oz. The resulting pink dress that we see in the film’s opening scene used 137 patterns and 20,000 beads, taking 225 hours to construct.
Why is production design so important?
A production designer is head of the art department. On board from the beginning, they work with the director + producers to help bring the writer’s script, director’s vision + producer’s plans together as a visual whole. The production designer researches or "scouts" locations, eventually securing + preparing it for shooting. They budget the cost of materials, track expenses, and typically oversee the art director, set designers, illustrators + scenic painters to develop a specific visual style for a production. From minute details to overarching themes, a production designer must consider every aspect shown on screen, regardless of budget, they must be resourceful and think on their feet.
Wicked: For Good continues to prove how production design is extremely powerful when creating an immersive world that honors its origins while still feeling fresh + new. From the tulip fields of Munchkinland to the Emerald City Express, every detail brings audiences deeper into the world of Oz. These creative choices don’t just build the beautiful world we see on screen - they tell the story. As we return to Oz this November, we can't wait to see how Jon M. Chu and Nathan Crawley’s team continue to work their magic into the final chapter of this iconic tale.
Written by Olive Pritchard -- Olive is a Marketing Intern at Onni Creative. She is passionate about understanding the industry, experiential marketing, and the intersection of culture and storytelling. As well as being a frequent customer at her local movie theatre, Olive loves to spend her free time travelling with friends and reading.
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