Wicked: Part Two is shaking things up, and Nessarose actress Marissa Bode is here to dish! Spoiler alert: you might want to click your heels together three times to brace yourself.
In an interview with People, Marissa—our new Nessarose and a certified scene-stealer—revealed that the movie isn’t just taking cues from the Broadway musical; it’s adding a sprinkle of its own magic dust. (Glinda’s jealous, obviously.)
A Silver Slipper Switcheroo
Picture this: Nessarose gets her iconic silver slippers (move over, ruby ones; silver’s the new vibe). In the Broadway musical, these bad boys are packed with some serious magical mojo that helps her stand and walk. But in the movie, Nessarose isn’t just looking for a quick spell-fix, and Marissa made sure to clarify that in her chat.
“One of the first things Jon [M. Chu, the director, AKA the guy holding the magic wand] and I talked about was tweaking this pivotal scene,” Marissa spilled. “Apparently, the movie wanted to steer clear of the ‘Oh no, my disability, please fix it!’ vibe and instead focus on the magic of the story.” Because who needs plot tropes when you’ve got a flying green witch and a talking goat?
Jon apparently called Marissa up and said something like: “‘Hey, we’re reworking this bit because, you know, clichés are soooo 2003.’” OK, maybe he didn’t say it exactly like that, but you get the idea. The result? Nessarose’s big moment becomes about celebrating magic rather than making it a metaphysical makeover montage.
Keeping Secrets Like a Pro
Marissa, being the ultimate professional (or maybe just scared of Elphaba’s wrath), wouldn’t spill too much tea. “That’s all I can say!” she laughed, probably checking for a hovering flying monkey ready to enforce NDAs.
Nessarose: Breaking Barriers and Repping Realness
Here’s the thing: Nessarose has never been played by an authentically disabled actress before. Let that sink in. And Marissa is bringing more than just talent—she’s bringing representation, advocacy, and a much-needed shake-up to Hollywood’s dusty old playbook.
“I know people say representation matters, but let’s be real: we also need accessibility,” Marissa declared like a boss. “It’s not just about casting disabled actors—it’s about making the whole dang industry stop pretending ramps are optional.” Preach, queen!
Mark Your Calendars
If all this drama, magic, and representation aren’t enough to get you hyped, remember: Wicked: Part Two hits theaters on November 26, 2025. So start practicing your “Defying Gravity” high notes now—you’re going to want to sing along. Just maybe not in public. Save the magic for the pros.
