A spell of destiny: Marissa Bode’s journey to ‘Wicked’
A dream role almost lost
Marissa Bode, an aspiring actress, thought her chance to play Nessarose in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked had slipped through her fingers. After submitting a self-tape and enduring a series of callbacks, the silence from the casting team was deafening. “I was like, ‘It’s dunzo for me.’ I was sad, so I made a little short film to distract myself,” Bode recalls.
Magic in the making
In the spirit of October’s spooky season, Bode’s short film revolved around witches and magic. “It’s all about turning your bad luck into good luck. I create a little spell that good news will soon come knocking,” she shares. In a twist of fate, two days after completing her film, she received a call from the casting team.
During a Zoom call with director Jon M. Chu, the unexpected happened. Chu paused their conversation to answer his door, and in burst stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, holding a sign that read, “Welcome to Oz! Will you be our Nessa?” Bode laughs, “The crystal girlies are onto something,” reflecting on the serendipitous moment.
Breaking barriers in Hollywood
Bode, who has been using a wheelchair since age 11, is making history as the first wheelchair user to portray Nessarose in a Universal Pictures film. “I’m genuinely so honored that it’s me doing that,” says Bode, now 24. “Seeing somebody authentically cast like that on screen is just so important, especially in something so cool and so magical as Wicked.”
In the stage musical, Nessa uses a wheelchair but eventually walks when Elphaba (played by Erivo) enchants her shoes. While Bode can’t reveal how this plot point will be handled in Wicked Part Two, she assures fans that it was approached with sensitivity. “Casting authentically and showing an authentic disabled person is very important, but it’s also very important how we’re shown,” she emphasizes. “I am very happy with the changes that have been made, for sure.”
Expanding the narrative
The decision to split Wicked into two films has sparked much debate. However, Bode is excited about the opportunity to delve deeper into the characters’ stories. “It definitely helps give her more of an arc, because she’s not just the bratty little spoiled sister,” she explains. The extended format allows for a richer exploration of the bond between Elphaba and Nessa. “You get to see little moments in the bond between the two sisters very much, or just their love for one another. You get to see that more in the film. And I think that’s really important, because it makes what happens in the second film all the more devastating. It humanizes Nessa as a character and shows how much she cares about people. I think it was a great decision.”
Looking ahead
As Bode looks to the future, she hopes to take on roles where her disability is not the defining characteristic. She recalls a conversation with a friend who humorously pointed out, “It’s not like you wake up every day like, ‘I’m gonna eat my disabled cereal and get out of my disabled bed, go on my disabled wheels for the day and go to my disabled work today!’” Bode laughs, adding, “I’m just existing, because that’s just reality for me.”
While Bode is grateful for the authentic representation her role as Nessa brings, she has even bigger aspirations. “I think feeling less alone can help propel other disabled people to take action and feel like they can speak out about issues regarding accessibility and ableism that are unfortunately still prevalent in society today,” she says. “Representation is just the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to disability rights and the disability movement as a whole.”
A new era for representation
Bode’s journey to Wicked is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a significant step forward for representation in Hollywood. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the magic of serendipity, and the importance of authentic casting. As audiences eagerly await the release of Wicked, Bode’s portrayal of Nessarose promises to be a groundbreaking moment in cinema.
For those interested in seeing the magic unfold, check out the trailer for Wicked here.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging look at Marissa Bode’s journey to Wicked, enriched with personal reflections and in-depth analysis for cinema and TV series enthusiasts.