Ethan Slater's journey to landing the role of Boq in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation was nothing short of magical, and his experience has all the elements of a Hollywood fairytale. But before he even dreamed of stepping onto the grand sets of the Wicked movie, Slater was immersed in the world of theater—a world that would prove to be his golden ticket. It all began with an unexpected moment during a table read for a new musical, where Slater found himself playing the twin of Christopher Fitzgerald, the actor who originally portrayed Boq on Broadway. Little did he know, this was the very day he would be asked to submit an audition tape for Boq.
"I didn’t tell him about it because I didn’t want to have to explain myself if I didn’t get it," Slater confessed. Instead of drawing attention to the potential audition, he took a seemingly random selfie with Fitzgerald, a snapshot that he still cherishes. And just like that, the wheels were set in motion for a role that would transform his career.
Upon receiving the call that he had landed the role, Slater was determined to respect Fitzgerald’s iconic portrayal of Boq, while still making the character his own. "I look up to him so much," Slater shared, referencing Fitzgerald with immense admiration. "I wanted to honor the Boq he created, which was full of energy, but at the same time, I knew I couldn't try to be him. He’s too unique, too incredible. It would have been foolish to attempt that."
In turn, Fitzgerald, having seen the movie, shared a glowing review of Slater’s performance. He sent a heartfelt message that Slater now holds dear, one that he plans to frame. "Ethan has this perfect balance of soulfulness and funny bones as an actor," Fitzgerald wrote in an email to the Associated Press. "His Boq is earnest, daffy, and generous of heart. It was such a pleasure to watch him take the spirit of what came before and spin it into something new and original. He is Boq."
Wicked, the beloved prequel to The Wizard of Oz, is a magical tale that has captivated audiences since its release as a novel by Gregory Maguire, and its Broadway adaptation. The film stars Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, with Slater taking on the role of Boq, a lovable but unlucky character who secretly pines for Glinda. But despite the grand scale of the film, Slater describes the entire filming process as surprisingly intimate. “It felt small in the best way,” he remarked. “At the heart of it, we were just a group of theater kids who were overjoyed to perform.”
Slater’s background in musical theater certainly played a role in the energy that infused the set. In 2018, he received a Tony Award nomination for his performance as SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway. He also starred in the 2023 revival of Spamalot. In fact, all the leads in Wicked—Erivo, Grande, Bailey, and Slater—have roots in musical theater, which contributed to a unique camaraderie on set. "We all cared so much. We cared in that theater-kid way—protective, passionate, and eager to give it our all," Slater reflected. "It was joyful and familial. We were all in it together."
Slater couldn’t help but smile when recalling the behind-the-scenes moments, where even in their downtime, the cast would continue to bond over their shared love of the show. "Just last night at dinner, we were still talking about Wicked," he laughed. "It’s one of those things you can’t help but fixate on when you love it as much as we do. It’s definitely a theater kid thing."
One of the standout features of the film’s production was the decision to have the actors sing live on set, a move that Slater believes enhanced their performances. "Singing live keeps you connected to the character in a real way. There’s no break between scenes and songs, no worrying about dubbing later. You’re just performing, and it feels so natural," he explained.
While the film is set to release in two parts, starting November 22, 2024, Slater acknowledges the controversial decision to split the story. "I totally get why some people might question it," he said. "But when you see the movie, you’ll understand. It’s a complete film in its own right, with a full story arc. The characters are so engaging that you’ll want to watch it again immediately. I’m on the edge of my seat, eagerly waiting for the second part."
And then there’s the real-life relationship between Slater and his co-star Ariana Grande. While on screen, Boq has an unrequited crush on Glinda, off-screen, Slater and Grande are an item. "Her fans are going to be blown away by her performance," Slater said. "Everyone knows Ariana’s an extraordinary singer—one of the best voices of our generation—but her acting is truly next-level. She brings this incredible depth and comedy to the role. It’s a whole other side of her."
In addition to Wicked, Slater has a full slate of exciting projects. He’s currently starring in Lost on a Mountain in Maine, a film now in theaters. On top of that, he’s developing a beautiful play about humanity, in which he plans to star as the legendary French mime, Marcel Marceau. "In theater, you can’t really celebrate a project until it’s opening night, and you definitely don’t celebrate until it’s closed. But we’re all so excited about the play’s potential. I can’t wait to share more details soon," Slater said with enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, Slater’s career is undeniably on an upward trajectory, with Wicked set to further solidify his place in the entertainment world. But it’s clear that his passion for theater—and for his fellow castmates—is at the core of what makes his journey so special. "Being on this set felt like home," he said. "I’ve been a theater kid my whole life, and getting to work with these incredible people in this magical world was the ultimate dream come true."
In an industry where many are chasing fame, Slater remains grounded, cherishing the shared love of performance that has brought him so far. Whether he’s on screen, on stage, or behind the scenes, Slater’s journey is one to watch—and it’s only just beginning.
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