Ethan Slater draws backlash for Wicked spoilers ahead of film release

Ethan Slater, Ariana Grande’s boyfriend and a cast member in the film adaptation of Wicked, faced swift fan backlash after posting what many described as spoilers from the upcoming movie, Wicked: For Good. Slater, 33, shared black-and-white Instagram snaps showing him in the Tin Man costume as Boq, the character who transforms later in the story. The posts appeared in the lead-up to the film’s release, prompting a flurry of responses from fans who argued that the images revealed key aspects of the plot before many viewers have had a chance to experience the musical on stage or screen.

While some followers appreciated a behind‑the‑scenes glimpse, others warned that previews and social media posts could spoil surprises for those unfamiliar with Wicked. One commenter questioned whether the early looks were intended as a reveal for newcomers, while another called the posts “spoiler alerts” and noted that trailers had already exposed elements of the story. Slater’s posts arrive as the film’s release approaches and as the final trailer drops, offering fans a broader look at the movie’s characters and stakes.

Wicked: For Good is set to hit cinemas on November 21, with the final trailer released on Wednesday. The movie marks the continuation of the Broadway hit, bringing back Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Slater appears as Boq, the Munchkin-like love interest who becomes the Tin Man in the film, a transformation central to the plot’s emotional arc.

The trailer offers a first extended look at the flesh-and-blood adaptation’s tone, blending fantastical imagery with political and social undercurrents from Oz. In it, Elphaba is shown continuing her fight for freedom while the oppressed animals of Oz seek to expose The Wizard, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. A moment shows the witch spelling a defiant line in the clouds: “Our Wizard lies.” Glinda, by contrast, is depicted as a buoyant symbol of goodness, living in a palatial Emerald City and working under Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to assure Oz’s citizens that The Wizard is trustworthy, even as tensions between Elphaba and Glinda deepen.

The trailer also teases the broader arc of the sequel, with Boq and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and others undergoing changes that could alter longstanding relationships. Glinda’s evolving relationship with her friend Elphaba is presented as a central throughline, even as Glinda is shown pursuing a marriage to Prince Fiyero and attempting to navigate political and moral pressures within the Emerald City. The preview hints at Oz’s precarious balance between perception and truth, as characters grapple with power, fear, and allegiance to one another.

In addition to the core cast, Wicked: For Good features a number of returning players and new additions, including Erivo’s return as Elphaba and Grande’s portrayal of Glinda. The film’s marketing has leaned into the contrasts between the two witches—Elphaba’s fiery independence and Glinda’s public benevolence—while pushing the narrative toward a dramatic convergence that fans have awaited for years.

Reaction to Slater’s posts underscores a broader conversation about spoilers in high-profile projects. Some fans argued that pre-release glimpses are a natural part of modern marketing, while others warned that early reveals can diminish the experience for people who are hearing about Wicked for the first time through the film rather than through the original stage production or books. Acknowledging the debate, several commenters urged audiences to approach social media with caution during the film’s countdown to release.

Beyond the spoiler debate, the film’s release comes amid heightened anticipation for how Wicked will translate the beloved Broadway spectacle to a cinematic format. Producers and creatives have repeatedly emphasized the scale and spectacle of the production, including the world-building of Oz and the moral complexity of its central characters. For fans of the musical and newcomers alike, Wicked: For Good represents a long-awaited cinematic chapter that promises to expand on the themes of identity, power, and friendship that have defined the franchise for two decades.

As the release date approaches, audiences will have to weigh the allure of behind-the-scenes glimpses against the potential spoilage of surprises. Slater’s Instagram posts are a small but timely reminder of how social media can shape the public’s expectations for a major cultural event, for better or worse. Whether fans will view the Tin Man’s on-screen debut as an enticing tease or a spoiler remains a point of contention among the show’s devoted following, but the conversation underscores Wicked’s enduring hold on audiences who have followed its journey from Broadway to the big screen.