After 86 Years, Wicked: For Good Finally Explains the Weirdest Wizard of Oz Moment (And It Makes Sense)

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While the Wicked movies and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz share a similar story, their connection isn’t official. Because Warner Bros. still owns the rights to the original movie, Wicked mainly draws its story from L. Frank Baum’s original book, which is now public domain. This is why the musical features silver slippers instead of ruby ones, and doesn’t directly repeat any songs from the classic film—though it does offer some subtle references. Despite this, Wicked includes knowing nods to the original story for fans, and presents events in a way that encourages you to see The Wizard of Oz in a new light.

I wasn’t impressed with most of the changes made to the original story in Wicked – some were silly (like the Wicked Witch actually rescuing the Cowardly Lion), and others completely missed the mark (especially the way they reimagined the Tin Man). However, one moment in Wicked: For Good really stood out and made me pause. It’s a small scene that others might have overlooked, but it got me thinking and actually provides an answer to a question fans have debated for nearly a hundred years. Be warned: spoilers ahead for Wicked: For Good.

Wicked: For Good Answers One of The Wizard of Oz’s Most Shocking Mysteries

Even after eighty years, The Wizard of Oz is full of amazing details, like the bright colors of the Horse of a Different Color and the fact that Frank Morgan played five different roles, including Professor Marvel and the Wizard himself. But one thing that has always seemed strange to me is when Dorothy and her friends set out to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and we see all the items they brought with them.

When Dorothy and her friends – the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion – approach the spooky forest, they’re all well-equipped. The Tin Man has his axe and a large wrench, ready to fight up close. The Cowardly Lion carries a huge net and a can that looks like bug spray. Surprisingly, the Scarecrow is armed with a revolver – he’s actually carrying a gun and knows how to use it!

For years, fans have been puzzled by the presence of a gun carried by the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz – they’ve wondered how he got it and what purpose it served. The gun disappears after the flying monkeys attack, likely lost amongst the straw in the Haunted Forest. It was originally included for a deleted scene, the famous “Jitterbug” dance, but even knowing that, a gun in Oz still seems strange. However, the new movie Wicked: For Good finally provides a logical explanation for why the Scarecrow had a gun, and it actually makes sense.

The movie Wicked: For Good quickly shows us where the characters are now: Elphaba is even more famous (and feared) as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda is deeply involved in the Wizard and Madame Morrible’s efforts to control public opinion. We also learn that Prince Fiyero is now part of a group tasked with capturing Elphaba, which creates inner conflict for him because of their past relationship.

The soldiers in the film, including Fiyero, are equipped with guns during their pursuit of Elphaba, even drawing them when they anticipate a confrontation. Though these aren’t the typical guns we know today and are never fired, they are clearly firearms. This detail is easily overlooked because the movie ends with a surprising reveal: Fiyero is actually the Scarecrow from the story of The Wizard of Oz.

It’s hard to overlook the fact that Fiyero carries a gun for most of Wicked: For Good before becoming the Scarecrow. Considering the Scarecrow himself wields a pistol in his most well-known movie appearance, the link between the two characters is now clear. From now on, whenever I see Ray Bolger’s Scarecrow with his hand on the trigger, I’ll definitely be thinking about this connection. While the connections between Wicked and the original Wizard of Oz aren’t always perfect, this explains the Scarecrow’s gun for me—even though it’s surprising to see in such a classic family film.

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2025-11-21 18:13