Director Jon M. Chu knew the long-awaited Wicked movie needed to feel immersive. “What’s it like to be in Oz? To feel it in your fingertips?” he asked in a behind-the-scenes video. “If you want to be inside that world, you got to build it.”
So the team, led by production designer Nathan Crowley (who also spearheaded the Wonka sets), built it all, from the Emerald City to Munchkinland. And we’ve gathered every detail super fans need to know about the fantastical sets and filming locations. Make no mistake: From planting tulips by the millions to constructing an actual multi-ton train, the Wicked team went above and beyond.
Wicked Was filmed in England.
Filming for Wicked took place at the United Kingdom’s new state-of-the-art Sky Studios Elstree, on the outskirts of London in the town of Borehamwood. The production took over multiple stages on the campus, which is powered by solar and renewable energy. Anything not filmed in a studio was shot in the town of Ivinghoe. It’s there, in the Buckinghamshire countryside, where the team transformed a farm into Munchkinland (yellow brick road and all!) and built Shiz University, according to the local paper Welwyn Hatfield Times.
9 Million Tulips Were Planted for Munchkinland
The production planted 9 million tulips on more than 20 acres in Norfolk as a dreamy backdrop for Munchkinland. After the field of red, pink, and white served its purpose, the heads of the flowers were later used to make “living roofs” for the Munchkins’ homes, according to Architectural Digest.
Shiz University Features a Blend of Styles
Glinda and Elphaba first meet at Shiz University, which took 20 weeks to construct. A massive water tank was built on a loading dock, in order to show students arriving by boat. The central meeting point for all students is the quad, an open exterior space with balconies all around that lead to other spaces in the university. A blend of styles, including Italianate and Moorish, make up the university’s unique look. “They were the biggest sets I have ever created,” Crowley told AD.
Glinda’s Luggage Acts as Her Dorm Room Closet Space
Dorm rooms typically lack closet space, even for occupants who aren’t avid shoppers, so in Glinda’s dorm room, her luggage becomes her closet. And each chest, suitcase, and box has an animated quality to it when it’s opened. “Every contraption [Glinda] touches, she opens, becomes this new surprise of her clothes, her shoes, her purses, her things,” Chu said in the video. Once everything is unlatched, all of Glinda’s pink stuff surrounds her and Elphaba. “For Elphaba to go through that maze, I think is just really fun,” Chu added.
While Glinda’s pink belongings technically take over her dorm room, it’s not terribly overwhelming at first glance. That’s partly thanks to the room’s bones—namely, the domed painted ceiling with botanical motifs, the petal-shaped windows, the warm wood paneling, and the in-room fireplace. All that pink serves as Barbiecore Glindacore inspiration. A tulip-shaped bedside lamp and an oval mirror reminiscent of pink Murano glass mirrors are elements of the dazzling bedroom decor.
The Futuristic Train to Oz Weighed Tons
A green train with exaggerated golden gears was built for Elphaba and Glinda to take to Oz, and it ended up being very, very heavy—like, “two days to move because it’s 16 tons” heavy, Chu remarked in a BTS video. Although, AD reported the “fully realized train” weighs “some 50 tons.” Whatever the exact number is, we know it was massive.
The Wizard’s Mechanized Bust Is Based on Jeff Goldblum’s Face
Since actor Jeff Goldblum plays the Wizard, its fitting that the character’s mechanized bust was based on a 3-D scan of Goldblum’s face. According to AD, it was built with a complex system of moving parts so that the facial expressions can change.
Kelly Allen is the Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she creates design, culture, and travel content online and in the magazine. She’s been on the team since 2019, writing features on dreamy TV sets and movie filming locations, in-depth city guides, and inspiring home tours. From researching ethereal estates to discovering can’t-miss set decoration details onscreen, she’s always eager to answer burning pop culture questions through a design lens. In her five-year career, she’s built a strong network of designers across disciplines to tap for their invaluable expertise. Her background includes honing reporting skills while tackling viral news for Delish and contributing to Cosmopolitan’s entertainment coverage. When she’s not watching every new film and TV show, she’s browsing vintage home stores, attending industry events, and wandering around New York City—highlighting it all on Instagram.
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