Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, alongside director Jon M. Chu, made a magical return to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners. The trio unveiled an exclusive first look at Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to the Broadway sensation, which is set to soar into theaters on November 22.
Grande and Erivo, both nominated for Oscars and dressed in stunning all-black ensembles, introduced a teaser that offered a glimpse of the second act of the musical’s story. Although the two didn’t perform live as their iconic characters — Glinda, the cheerful, pink-clad princess, and Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned witch — they presented footage showcasing their powerful renditions of beloved songs, including “For Good” and “No Good Deed.”
Set before, during, and after the events of The Wizard of Oz, the new installment will delve deeper into the lives of Glinda and Elphaba. The story picks up after Elphaba has mastered her magical powers and is declared a threat by the Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). As the witches grapple with their complex friendship, Wicked 2 explores their journey past the arrival of Dorothy Gale in Oz, with Part One depicting their early days at Shiz University, where they form an unlikely bond.
In the dazzling trailer — which has yet to be shared with the public — Elphaba is shown studying the Grimmerie, the sacred book of magic, while Glinda adjusts her crown, caught in the web of the Wizard’s manipulations. The footage teases a series of emotional and dramatic moments, including glimpses of Glinda’s lavish wedding to Fiyero, the fearsome flying monkeys, and the iconic moment when Dorothy and her companions arrive in Oz.
One of the trailer’s most powerful moments occurs when Elphaba confesses to Glinda, “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had,” to which Glinda responds, “And I’ve had so many friends, but you’re the only one that mattered.” The evolving dynamic between the two witches, who move from being enemies to friends and back again, forms the emotional core of the story.
The exclusive preview generated excitement among the movie theater owners at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where CinemaCon is held. The first Wicked film, which grossed $744 million globally, remains the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in history. Additionally, it earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for both Erivo and Grande.
Grande expressed her gratitude to the theater exhibitors, saying, “It’s been quite a year since we joined you last time, and we cannot thank you enough for all of your support.” Erivo echoed her sentiment, adding, “And we get to do it all again.”
Marc Platt, producer of Wicked, shared that the film adaptation has revitalized interest in the original Broadway show, which is enjoying its best year ever in its 22nd season. Universal’s President of Domestic Distribution, Jim Orr, reflected on the film’s global success, noting, “I’ve literally never had more people reach out with their emotional reactions to a film.”
As anticipation builds for Wicked: For Good, it’s clear that the enduring legacy of this fantastical franchise continues to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide.
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