'Wicked' Stays True to Original Text with Silver Slippers, Not Ruby

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical honors L. Frank Baum's novel, where Dorothy's slippers were silver, while also navigating copyright boundaries tied to the 1939 movie.

• In the new 'Wicked' film, the iconic slippers are silver, reflecting their original depiction in L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, rather than the ruby red design from the 1939 movie.
• The choice of silver slippers aligns with both the stage musical and Gregory Maguire's novel, which influenced the film's design choices.
• The ruby slippers, created for the Technicolor adaptation of 'The Wizard of Oz,' are protected under copyright until 2035, restricting their use in 'Wicked.'
• Director Jon M. Chu confirmed that the production faced legal boundaries on referencing elements from the 1939 movie, including the ruby slippers and the spiral design of the yellow brick road.
• The film includes a subtle nod to the ruby slippers during a scene where Glinda presents a sparkly red pair of shoes, which Elphaba dismisses.

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