Fans of the hit musical Wicked have been left stunned and a little spooked by a major character transformation in the newly released sequel. The latest instalment, Wicked: For Good, which hit UK cinema screens this month, has generated significant buzz, particularly surrounding the startling reveal of the Scarecrow.
The Shocking Transformation
Audiences expecting a purely magical experience were given what many have described as a 'jump scare' when Fiyero, Elphaba's love interest, undergoes his dramatic change. The transformation occurs during the powerful song No Good Deed, where Elphaba casts a spell to save Fiyero, a Winkie prince, resulting in him turning into the Scarecrow familiar to fans of The Wizard of Oz.
This moment has become a major talking point on social media platforms like Reddit, with viewers passionately debating the practical effects used. Contrary to assumptions of heavy CGI, the startling look was achieved through prosthetic makeup that took actor Jonathan Bailey a staggering three to four hours to apply for each filming session.
Who Plays The Scarecrow?
The man behind the sackcloth is none other than English actor Jonathan Bailey, widely celebrated for his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton. Bailey's other notable credits include Broadchurch and Fellow Travelers.
The film, a follow-up to the 2024 release starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, explores the story of Elphaba and Glinda before the events of The Wizard of Oz. The storyline sees Elphaba later fake her death as the Wicked Witch of the West and flee Oz with the transformed Fiyero.
Fan Reaction to the Prosthetic Design
The public response to the Scarecrow's design has been intensely divided, highlighting the makeup team's success in creating a memorable, if unsettling, visual.
One fan praised the effort online, writing, "It’s phenomenal really, they did so well!!!" Another acknowledged the intended effect, stating, "I actually loved the slightly horrific nature of the tin man and scarecrow transformations, genuinely scary asf."
However, the uncanny valley nature of the design proved too much for some. A third viewer commented, "Lol not me wishing they'd used more cgi for the scarecrow. Him appearing on screen was like a jump scare! Not a fan of the design at all." Another detailed their visceral reaction, noting the sack's skin-like texture triggered a sense of trypophobia.
Despite the mixed reactions, one fact remains clear from actor testimonials: the impressive and jarring transformation was a feat of practical makeup artistry, not computer generation. Wicked: For Good is now showing in cinemas across the UK.
