Jeff Goldblum Compares His Wicked Wizard Role to Thor: Ragnarok’s Grandmaster: ‘A Self-Glorifying Nincompoop’

Jeff Goldblum Compares His Wicked Wizard Role to Thor: Ragnarok’s Grandmaster: ‘A Self-Glorifying Nincompoop’

“Everything you do leaves its residue,” Jeff Goldblum says, reflecting on similarities between two of his memorable characters.

The Wizard of Oz has always been a notorious humbug, but in Wicked, his role takes on an even darker tone. Far from being just a charlatan, the Wizard becomes a power-hungry fraud intent on exploiting the magic of others to create a totalitarian regime that bends entirely to his will. For Jeff Goldblum, who portrays the Wizard in the highly anticipated film adaptation, this role has echoes of his past work.

Goldblum previously played the Grandmaster in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, another over-the-top ruler whose ineptitude is only matched by his egotism.

“Everything you do leaves its residue in your nervous system and your heart somewhere,” Goldblum explains when asked about the parallels between the two characters. He adds, “I wanted to make this role distinct, but [the Grandmaster] had this avatar of himself. He’s a self-glorifying nincompoop, an abuser of power, and someone who thrives on authority.”

In Thor: Ragnarok, the Grandmaster rules the chaotic world of Sakaar, indulging in hedonism and using manipulation to maintain control. He forces gladiatorial combat for his entertainment, treating his subjects like pawns. Meanwhile, the Wizard in Wicked may appear to have more noble beginnings, but his actions reveal a more sinister side. Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) discovers that he is behind the scapegoating and persecution of the Animals in Oz and, alongside Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), orchestrates a campaign to brand her as the Wicked Witch.

Goldblum hopes audiences will see a shared theme between Wicked and Thor: Ragnarok—a meditation on what true power really is.

“Real power isn’t just about holding a position of authority,” Goldblum says. “As we see in this movie, true power comes from a connection to yourself, the ability to create beauty, and the capacity to impact others in meaningful ways. That’s the real magic.”

For Goldblum, Wicked is not only a story of power but also a reflection of the human condition. “It’s a timeless tale,” he concludes. “In many parts of the world, we see leadership fail to take the most enlightened paths. In this movie, we explore that again, and as I say, ‘You’ve got to give someone a real good enemy.'”

Jeff Goldblum Compares His Wicked Wizard Role to Thor: Ragnarok’s Grandmaster: ‘A Self-Glorifying Nincompoop’

Wicked first premiered on Broadway in 2003, starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the musical follows the journey of two witches—from their time as students at Shiz University to Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West. The production earned 10 Tony nominations in 2004, including Best Musical.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film adaptation of Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, along with Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode. The movie is being released in two parts, with the first installment now in theaters.

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