The Curse Behind The Wizard of Oz: Unfortunate Tales from the Set

Just as Wicked finally moved into active production, the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. Sets shut down, safety protocols reshaped filming, and schedules were pushed back repeatedly. Even after production restarted, cast and crew worked under strict limitations that slowed progress far more than expected.

Then came the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, creating yet another pause. These back-to-back disruptions stretched the timeline even further, forcing the studio to rework budgets and deadlines all over again. What was meant to be a long-awaited adaptation became a stop-and-start process that tested everyone’s patience.