Why was Bowen Yang's role reduced in the Wicked sequel?

Director Jon M. Chu cut Bowen Yang's expanded role to maintain focus on the main characters and manage the film's runtime.

What was Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James' original role in Wicked: For Good?

They were planned to help Glinda distract guards, but this scene was ultimately removed.

Will Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James be in more future Wicked movies?

It's currently unknown, but fans hope for their return to the big screen in future projects.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Wicked Sequel Cut Major Bowen Yang Role

Wicked Sequel Cut Major Bowen Yang Role

29 Nov

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Summary

Director Jon M. Chu cut a larger role for Bowen Yang.
Yang and James' characters were meant to help Glinda.
Scene cut to shorten runtime and focus on leads.

Director Jon M. Chu has shared details about a significant cut from the recently released "Wicked: For Good." He revealed that actors Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James, who play Pfannee and ShenShen, were initially slated for more prominent roles in the film's narrative. Their characters were intended to assist Glinda in a crucial scene.

In the original plan, Pfannee and ShenShen would have helped Glinda distract guards, allowing her to warn Elphaba about approaching witch hunters. However, Chu ultimately decided to remove this subplot. He felt it detracted from Glinda's personal storyline and contributed to an already lengthy runtime, prioritizing the central journey of Glinda and Elphaba.

While Chu believes the decision was best for the film's focus and narrative cohesion, he acknowledged the desire for more Ozians to support Elphaba. The cut also meant less screen time for fan favorites Yang and James, whose comedic relief was missed by many viewers. Fans hope for future opportunities to see the duo together on screen.