Wicked’s Marissa Bode Talks Sequel, Horror, Queer and Disability Representation

Marissa Bode had quite the introduction to San Diego Comic-Con Thursday night.

Not only was it the first time the “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” star attended the San Diego convention, but she was also a judge at the 11th annual Her Universe Fashion show. (Full disclosure: I was one of the five judges, too).

Co-hosted by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein and Broadway star Michael James Scott, the show’s theme was “Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations” and featured 25 “geek couture” designers pulling inspiration from Universal properties.

The judging panel named Lynleigh Sato winner for her colorful “Trolls”-inspired look while the audience picked Caitlin Beards’ black and gold “The Mummy” gown.

“I had a lot of fun,” Bode, who plays Nessarose in the “Wicked” movies, told me after the winners were announced. “First ever fashion show in the books, first ever Comic-Con in the books. I came in hoping for looks, because I’ve seen Comic-Con pictures before and how everyone goes all out, and they delivered. I wish I was more of a geek because I feel like the geeks have so much more fun.

If you had to do cosplay, what would it be?

Oh my gosh, that’s such a good question. There are so many possibilities. Something definitely very campy. Honestly, maybe a flying monkey. Something very meta.

What has the last year been for you?

This last year has been a whirlwind in a lot of ways, but I think I’ve done a really good job with resting when I need to and being around my closest friends and family when I need to, to help keep me grounded. It’s also just been fun, more than anything, and just connecting with a number of different people and hearing the impacts, of course, that I’ve played in it. But also the film as a whole, and how it’s been so impactful on so many people.

What does it feel like to hear from people and fans who are also in wheelchairs and who thank you because they finally see themselves on screen?

It means everything to me because we previously have not seen a lot of it. I think there still could be more of it. I know there could be a lot more of it in Hollywood, but I think this is a great place to start, and for especially young people, to see that and that be a moment for them, and a pivotal moment where this could have been their first time seeing someone that looks like them on screen, that’s just everything to me, and so important to me for a number of different reasons.

Has anyone come up to you at any of the countless events and awards shows you have been to and you were like, “They know who I am?!”

At the Oscars, I was just chilling and Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff came up to me to say hello. There were like, “We loved ‘Wicked.’” I loved “The Substance.” I have forever been a believer that there needs to be more horror nominations and more of those type of movies at the Oscars.

So you want to do a horror movie?

I would love to do horror. I love horror. I really love blood and guts.

Have you seen any of “Wicked: For Good” yet?

Just a little bit of playback from when I went in to do ADR. It looks pretty spectacular.

What kind of pressure are you feeling to live up to the first?

There have been a number of people who say they’re super excited for [the song] “Wicked Witch of the East.” I really hope it delivers and people receive it well. If they don’t, that’s OK, too. But because so many incredible actresses on Broadway have performed that song so strongly, and also just a very strong song in general, there are definitely big shoes to fill. There’s a lot of pressure there, but I was guided by a very great director [Jon M. Chu] and a very great team behind the scenes. I had the support when I needed it, and I’m very grateful for that, and I’m really anxious and excited to see how the audience receive it.

What kind of scripts are being sent your way?

My team is pretty good at sending me exactly what I’ve said that I’m interested in. A lot of queer roles. A lot of indie. I’d love to TV, a coming-of-age story. I also love drama.

How important are queer roles, especially right now with what’s going on in the world politically?

So important for visibility purposes, but also, there are so many other voices within the community. To be able to add to that, especially as someone who’s queer and disabled, I think that adds another layer to the conversation. It means a lot to me. I know a lot of my audience on social media is both queer and disabled, and just to have a voice in that, in any way. I think is really cool to let them know that there are struggles that I’ve been through as someone who’s queer, but also as somebody who is disabled. Unfortunately, we’re continuing to fight those fights, but it’s nice to have a platform to let people know that they’re not alone. We have to keep showing up out of survival, really. Especially for those that grow up in areas that may be more conservative and they don’t have that support.

This Q&A was edited for length and clariety.

See more photos from The Her Universe Fashion Show below.