Two huge adjustments have been revealed to the story of Nessarose (Marissa Bode) in Depraved: For Good, and these adjustments repair a major drawback from the unique musical. The second and ultimate film adapting the Broadway musical will proceed the tales of Nessarose, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), and different key characters after Depraved’s dramatic ending.
There was a constructive reception to the primary film casting a disabled actor, Bode, to play the position of Nessarose. Nevertheless, there was appreciable hypothesis about how incapacity illustration shall be dealt with in Depraved: For Good’s story because the second act of the stage musical sees Nessarose strolling by Elphaba’s magic.
In an interview with CBN (through BroadwayWorld), composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz reveals that Nessarose is not going to stroll in Depraved: For Good. He explains that he and author Winnie Holzman have realized from the PWD (individuals with disabilities) group and don’t wish to ship a message that Nessarose’s life is “solved” by her immediately having the ability to stroll. Take a look at his feedback under:
Winnie [Holzman] and I realized a number of issues from the PWD group. It was necessary to them that it was clear that their lives wouldn’t be “solved” if they may simply stroll. And that was definitely by no means the message of the present, as a result of Nessa’s life will not be solved, fairly the other. However we wished to be respectful and nonetheless discover a method to inform our story.
Schwartz additionally shares that one other change has been made to Nessarose’s story, which is including a personality who’s romantically enthusiastic about her and whose affection she ignores. This character is meant to make it even clearer that Nessarose’s underlying problem is her obsession with Boq (Ethan Slater) and has nothing to do together with her incapacity. Learn Schwartz’s clarification under:
There’s even one other man in there who likes Nessa, however she will be able to’t see him. I am unsure if that is nonetheless within the film, as a result of I have never seen the ultimate minimize. However both approach, the purpose is that we wished to make it clear that the issue is Nessa’s obsession with Boq, not the truth that she’s in a wheelchair, which is what results in the occasions that unfold.
What This Means For Depraved: For Good
A Main Story Downside Has Been Fastened
The adjustments that Schwartz describes be certain that Depraved: For Good will do higher by Nessarose than the Broadway musical. Seeing Nessarose magically strolling by Elphaba enchanting the long-lasting slippers has all the time been problematic and performs into dangerous stereotypes.
Not having Nessarose stroll fixes this long-standing problem and can permit for a extra nuanced evolution of her character arc. Schwartz and Holzman wrote the unique musical, however this didn’t forestall them from listening to their viewers and making adjustments that present extra genuine illustration that doesn’t ship the fallacious message.
As for the brand new love curiosity Schwartz mentions, since he has not seen the ultimate minimize of the film, it’s attainable that this character is not going to be featured within the theatrical launch. If the character stays, he can display that it’s not Nessarose’s incapacity, however relatively her obsession with Boq that forestalls her from being joyful.
The Adjustments Could Be Controversial, However The First One Is Lengthy Overdue
I anticipate there shall be a blended reception to those adjustments in Depraved: For Good, with many applauding the improved illustration whereas others will take problem with important adjustments being made to the supply materials. The primary change specifically is one which I’m glad has been made.
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Making Nessarose’s story much less ableist within the second act is a change that’s lengthy overdue, and I really like that Schwartz and Holzman dedicated to this modification once they may have merely caught with their unique model. It is a case the place making an alteration is extra necessary than being devoted to the supply materials.
Sources: CBN (through BroadwayWorld)
Depraved: For Good
Launch Date
November 21, 2025
Director
Jon M. Chu
Writers
Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Producers
Marc Platt
