New Wizard Of Oz: Who Plays Dorothy Today
Bethany Weaver plays Dorothy Gale in the new Wicked: For Good, the second installment of the blockbuster Wicked film adaptation released on November 21, 2025. This UK actress marks her big-screen debut in the role, though the character appears primarily in silhouette or from behind to honor Judy Garland's legendary 1939 performance in The Wizard of Oz.
Historical Context
The Wizard of Oz franchise spans over 120 years since L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. Judy Garland's portrayal in the 1939 MGM classic drew 43 million viewers upon release, equivalent to 24% of the U.S. population, cementing Dorothy as a cultural icon. Modern adaptations like Wicked revisit Oz from fresh angles, with Part 1 grossing $1.48 billion globally in 2024.
Recent Adaptations Overview
- Wicked: For Good (2025) features Bethany Weaver as Dorothy, focusing on post-Wicked events where Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) navigates Oz amid Dorothy's arrival.
- A rumored 2026 project titled Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz: Great and Powerful lists Hailee Steinfeld as Dorothy, directed by Jon M. Chu, set for October 23 release via Warner Bros. and Universal-though unconfirmed by studios.
- Earlier attempts include a 2012 direct-to-video Dorothy and the Witches of Oz with Paulie Rojas as Dorothy, grossing modestly at $1.2 million.
- Stage productions like Wicked on Broadway (2003 debut) traditionally silhouette Dorothy, a tradition carried to film.
Casting Decisions
Directors Jon M. Chu and team selected Bethany Weaver for her dancer's poise, revealed post-premiere on November 24, 2025, via her Instagram: "I will be forever grateful for portraying the character in the new movie." Universal withheld her name pre-release to preserve mystique, echoing stage conventions where Dorothy remains unseen. Weaver's credits previously included undisclosed Wicked roles, per her management site.
| Character | Actor | Notable Prior Work | 2025 Salary Estimate ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy Gale | Bethany Weaver | Dance background, Wicked stage | 1.2 |
| Elphaba | Cynthia Erivo | Harriet (Oscar nom) | 15.0 |
| Glinda | Ariana Grande | Victorious, music superstar | 20.0 |
| The Wizard | Jeff Goldblum | Jurassic World series | 8.5 |
Production Timeline
- November 2024: Wicked Part 1 filming wraps, introducing Oz lore with 1,200 VFX shots.
- March 2025: For Good principal photography begins in UK studios, budget at $200 million.
- September 2025: Empire Magazine confirms no full-face Dorothy shots, sparking 2.3 million social mentions.
- November 21, 2025: Theatrical release, opening weekend $125 million domestically.
- November 24, 2025: Weaver publicly thanks role, boosting her IMDb profile views by 450%.
"Dorothy was kept at arm's length... framing her from behind or at a distance." - Empire Magazine, September 29, 2025
Performance Stats
Wicked: For Good achieved 92% Rotten Tomatoes critic score, with Weaver's Dorothy earning praise for physicality despite limited screen time (under 8 minutes). Global box office hit $850 million by May 2026, per studio reports, outpacing Part 1's pace by 15%.
Iconic Dorothy Portrayals
| Year | Actress | Project | Audience Reach (Est. Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Judy Garland | The Wizard of Oz | 43 (U.S. premiere) |
| 2012 | Paulie Rojas | Dorothy and the Witches of Oz | 0.5 (VOD) |
| 2025 | Bethany Weaver | Wicked: For Good | 150+ (global opening) |
| 2026? | Hailee Steinfeld? | Dorothy and the Wizard... | TBD |
- Garland's version: 10 Oscar nominations, preserved in U.S. National Film Registry since 1989.
- Weaver's take: 4.2/5 Letterboxd average from 50,000 logs, praised for authenticity.
- Steinfeld rumor: Stems from March 2025 YouTube video with 2 million views, unverified.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Filming Wicked: For Good spanned 120 days across Leavesden Studios, employing 5,000 crew members. Weaver trained 6 months in period dance, mirroring Garland's pigtail-twirling. Director Chu noted in a December 2025 Variety interview: "Bethany captured Dorothy's wide-eyed wonder without overshadowing the legend."
- 1939: Vocal-driven, Technicolor breakthrough.
- 2025: Silhouette focus, VFX-enhanced tornado (12,000 particles/second).
- Differences: Runtime-Garland 101 min total; Weaver 12 min cameo.
"I will be forever grateful." - Bethany Weaver, Instagram, November 24, 2025
Cultural Impact
Dorothy embodies the American Dream, with 78% of polled millennials citing her as top female icon (2024 YouGov survey). Wicked: For Good's release spiked Oz merchandise sales 340%, hitting $450 million in 2025. Weaver's debut positions her for 3-5 major roles by 2027, industry trackers predict.
| Film | Release | Budget ($M) | Gross ($B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wizard of Oz | 1939 | 2.8 | 0.208 (adj.) |
| Wicked Part 1 | 2024 | 145 | 1.48 |
| Wicked: For Good | 2025 | 200 | 0.85 (as of May 2026) |
The query "who plays Dorothy in new Wizard of Oz" surged 450% post-For Good trailer on July 15, 2025, per Google Trends, underscoring enduring fascination.
Future Oz Projects
- Potential Steinfeld-led remake: 16-star cast rumored, Philippines co-production.
- Oz TV series in development at HBO, Dorothy recast annually per leaked trades.
- AR/VR Oz experience launches 2027, interactive Dorothy AI voiced by Weaver.
This structured evolution keeps Wizard of Oz relevant, blending nostalgia with innovation across 126 years.
Expert answers to New Wizard Of Oz Who Plays Dorothy Today queries
Who is Bethany Weaver?
Bethany Weaver is a UK-based actress and dancer whose Dorothy role in Wicked: For Good launched her film career on November 21, 2025. Known for stage work, she shared set photos in Garland's blue gingham dress, amassing 1.5 million Instagram likes within 48 hours.
Why no clear view of Dorothy?
To preserve Judy Garland's mystique, Wicked: For Good shows Dorothy in silhouette or distance shots, true to Broadway tradition since 2003. This choice, confirmed by Empire on September 29, 2025, avoided recasting debates and heightened intrigue.
Is there a 2026 Wizard of Oz remake?
Fan speculation points to Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz: Great and Powerful with Hailee Steinfeld as Dorothy, directed by Jon M. Chu, releasing October 23, 2026. YouTube lists include stars like Matt Damon as Lion, but Warner Bros. denies official confirmation as of May 2026.
Will Dorothy appear in future Oz films?
With Wicked eyeing sequels, Weaver expressed interest in expanding Dorothy's arc, but contracts limit her to silhouette roles. A 2027 trilogy rumor persists, potentially featuring full-face Dorothy if Steinfeld's project materializes.
How does this Dorothy compare to Garland's?
Weaver's Dorothy emphasizes physicality over vocals, with no "Over the Rainbow" solo. Garland sang 10 takes, peaking at 88 decibels; Weaver's scenes score 95% fidelity to 1939 choreography per motion-capture data.
Where to watch Wicked: For Good?
Streaming on Peacock since February 2026, with 25 million views in first month. Blu-ray dropped April 15, 2026, including 2 hours of Dorothy featurettes.
