For those who headcanon Wicked and the 1939 movie together, how do you explain the green Winkie soldiers?

I know Wicked and the 1939 movie are not actually connected, but for the sake of overthinking and fun, let's try to think of this. Keep in mind I've only seen the Wicked movies and not the actual stage play.

Most of the things in Wicked are aesthetically different from the 1939 movie, but in general, that can be explained as "more accurate story" in-universe and "dodging copyright infringement" in reality.

The only major thing about the 1939 movie that isn't in Wicked is the fact that the Wicked Witch has an army of green Winkie soldiers, but Elphaba does not. Since that is one of the things made up for the 1939 movie that isn't public domain, I understand why they weren't included in Wicked. But for those who try to imagine both movies in the same world, how do you explain their absence in Wicked? And for those who headcanon them into Wicked, how do you explain their green skin?

One answer I can think of is that they were made up for the Wizard's telling of the story. If I were to include the green soldiers in Wicked, I think I would explain it by the Winkies swearing loyalty to Elphaba in honor of Fiyero's wishes (maybe he left her the castle and command of the army in his will or something). As for why they're green, my headcanon is that they started wearing green makeup because Elphaba wanted to feel more "normal" in her deteriorating mental state after "No Good Deed." Either that, or she does it so she can blend in amongst the soldiers and spy on them; the soldiers would be more likely to stay in line knowing that one of them could be Elphaba in disguise.

What are your takes on explaining their presence? I'd really like to know.