Ethan Slater Reflects on Portraying Boq in ‘Wicked’ Film Adaptation

Ethan Slater Reflects on Portraying Boq in ‘Wicked’ Film Adaptation \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ethan Slater, cast as Boq in the film adaptation of Wicked, reveals the surprising journey to his role, including his admiration for Christopher Fitzgerald, who originated the character on Broadway. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the highly anticipated adaptation stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Slater shares insights on the unique experience of bringing Boq to life, the bond among the cast, and the magic of singing live on set.

Ethan Slater’s Journey to Boq in Wicked Quick Looks

• Magical Casting Moment: Slater was invited to audition for Boq while working alongside Christopher Fitzgerald, who originated the role on Broadway.
• Honoring the Legacy: Balancing Fitzgerald’s energetic portrayal with his unique interpretation, Slater brought a new vision to Boq.
• All-Star Cast: Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, features Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
• Live Singing on Set: The actors performed songs live, creating a seamless transition from dialogue to music.
• Real-Life Connection: Slater and Grande, who portrays Glinda, are also a real-life couple, adding another dimension to his character’s story.

Deep Look

Ethan Slater’s journey to playing Boq in the film adaptation of Wicked is marked by a touch of fate and reverence for a character that captivated Broadway audiences nearly two decades ago. Slater first learned of his potential casting on a serendipitous day when he happened to be working alongside Christopher Fitzgerald, the original Broadway actor who brought Boq to life in Wicked. At a table read for an upcoming musical where he was cast as Fitzgerald’s identical twin, Slater received the invitation to audition for Boq. Rather than share the exciting news right away, he quietly marked the moment by taking a selfie with Fitzgerald, keeping his audition secret until the role was confirmed.

When he landed the part, Slater was determined to honor Fitzgerald’s legacy while creating a unique version of Boq that would resonate on the big screen. “I look up to him so much,” Slater said of Fitzgerald. “I wanted to capture the Boq he created, who’s just a burst of energy. But I also needed to make him my own because I could never be Chris Fitzgerald—he’s too singular and amazing. It would be a fool’s errand to try to be him.” Slater’s dedication to this vision paid off, with Fitzgerald himself offering a glowing review of the performance, calling Slater’s Boq “earnest, daffy, and generous of heart.” Slater, who plans to frame Fitzgerald’s congratulatory message, sees the praise as a lasting memento of a meaningful milestone.

In the big-screen adaptation of Wicked, The Wizard of Oz prequel that tells the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West, Slater joins a star-studded cast under the direction of Jon M. Chu. Ariana Grande portrays the iconic Glinda, while Cynthia Erivo takes on the powerful role of Elphaba, the “Wicked” Witch. Jonathan Bailey stars as Fiyero, the prince who meets Glinda and Elphaba at their school. The story, originally conceived by Gregory Maguire in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reimagines The Wizard of Oz universe from a fresh perspective, focusing on the characters’ lives before Dorothy’s arrival. Slater described the experience of bringing Boq to life with such celebrated talent as “surreal, joyful, and deeply collaborative.”

The movie’s cast brings a wealth of theater experience, which Slater believes contributed to the unique energy on set. “We’re really just theater kids at heart,” he explained. “We all care about this story so much. It’s the kind of passion that theater kids feel when they want to protect and honor a show.” Reflecting on the collaborative environment, Slater recalled a memorable quote from Jonathan Bailey during filming: “He said, ‘It just feels like a student film until suddenly it doesn’t.’” That shared understanding and commitment made each day on set feel like a passion project.

Filming Wicked also provided the cast with the unique challenge and privilege of singing live on set, a decision Slater feels significantly enhanced their performances. “Singing live on set meant there was no separation between dialogue and music,” he said. “You’re using your voice naturally from scene to song, without having to think about dubbing later or transitioning into a different performance mode.” For Slater, the live vocals enabled an authentic connection to the character and allowed him to channel the emotion of each scene into his singing, adding depth to his portrayal of Boq.

One of the film’s more notable choices was to release Wicked in two parts. The first installment is scheduled to debut on November 22, while the second will follow in November 2025. Slater acknowledged that splitting the movie into two parts is a “controversial decision” but is confident that the storytelling justifies the choice. “The first film stands on its own with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Audiences will connect with these characters and, I think, want to rewatch it right away,” he shared. For Slater, the film’s structure ensures that viewers experience the depth of each character’s journey and feel invested in seeing where the story leads.

The love triangle in Wicked adds an interesting dynamic to Boq’s character, as he harbors an unrequited love for Glinda, played by Grande. Off-screen, Slater and Grande share a real-life relationship, which Slater hints has only added depth to his performance. “Her fans are going to be blown away,” he said, praising Grande’s ability to bring humor, depth, and emotion to her portrayal of Glinda. “Anyone who loves Ariana knows she has one of the best voices of our generation, but her acting is beyond impressive. She brings so much to this role.”

Slater’s professional journey spans beyond Wicked. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his leading role in SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway and more recently performed in the revival of Spamalot. His versatility and dedication to his craft have paved the way for additional projects, including his recent role in Lost on a Mountain in Maine, a film now showing in theaters. He is also working on a stage play in which he would portray the legendary French mime Marcel Marceau, describing it as “a beautiful play about humanity.” While he remained tight-lipped about specifics, he expressed excitement about its future, saying, “In theater, we can’t really celebrate until opening night, and then we really shouldn’t until it closes, but I’m thrilled to be working on this project.”

Looking back on his Wicked experience, Slater reflected on the shared joy, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that infused the set with the spirit of a close-knit theater troupe. The cast’s connection was so strong that even when they gather off set, conversations inevitably return to the film. “We went to dinner last night, and we were all still talking about Wicked,” Slater said, laughing. “It’s such a theater kid thing, hyper-fixating on something you love.”

As the release of Wicked draws near, Slater is eagerly awaiting the audience’s reaction to the first film, which debuts November 22. “It’s a full movie in itself, and I think the first thing audiences will want to do is rewatch it to catch all the details,” he said. The highly anticipated second part, coming in 2025, promises to conclude the epic journey that Wicked fans, both old and new, have been waiting for.

For Slater, Wicked marks both a milestone and a full-circle moment, as he honors the Broadway role that inspired him while embracing the opportunity to add his personal touch. His journey as Boq reflects the broader themes of Wicked: identity, connection, and the enduring power of stories to evolve and inspire with each new interpretation.

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