Casey Stewart
It’s November, which means the Wicked: For Good press tour is finally underway. The film, which will be an adaptation of the second act of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Wicked, is set to release on November 21, 2025. Widely praised by critics, the first film earned 71 awards, including two Oscars and a Golden Globe. The new movie is expected to perform just as well, with director John M. Chu and leading ladies Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo being powerhouses in their respective fields. The story continues with Elphaba and Galinda stepping into their respective worlds, confronting difficult choices and the consequences that come with power and friendship. The movie will feature iconic songs such as “No Good Deed” and “For Good”, alongside two brand-new songs titled “The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home”. Fans can also look forward to stunning new costumes and elaborate sets that will transport audiences into the magical world of Oz, just as the first film did.
Wicked holds one of Broadway’s largest, most loyal, and most passionate fanbases. To generate excitement, the cast will go on a press tour. Last year’s press tour was arguably one of the most iconic in the 21st century. It gave us so many iconic pop culture moments from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo shedding tears in nearly every interview, stunning pink and green red carpet looks, and the concept of “holding space” for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity”. With just a week until the release of Wicked: For Good, promotion and press for the new movie are already underway.
A couple weeks ago, the hit reality tv show Dancing With the Stars hosted a Wicked-themed night, featuring ten songs from the musical, complete with elaborate sets, costumes, and impressive choreography. This season’s cast includes celebrities such as wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, and Boy Meets World star Danille Fishel. During the night, fans were treated to brief, personal messages from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, expressing their gratitude and excitement for the release of the new movie . This episode was a fun evening that reminded audiences of Wicked and left them even more excited for the upcoming movie.
More recently, on November 6, NBC hosted a musical television special called “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” which celebrated the musical’s cultural impact and promoted the new movie. The movie cast was all present, including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, and director John M. Chu. But a pleasant surprise was the presence of the original Broadway legends, including Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenewith, and the writer of the Broadway musical, Stephen Schwartz. The event featured all live music with an orchestra and raw, live vocals. Songs like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” were featured, along with seven others from the musical. There were elaborate dance numbers, some as in the movie. My favorite part of the night was at the end we got a very emotional performance of “For Good” by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo alongside the original Elphaba and Galinda, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenewith. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo even ended up in tears, and it was a beautiful number to end the night.
I am incredibly excited for the release of Wicked: For Good, and I can’t wait to see how the story of Elphaba and Galinda continues to unfold on the big screen. From iconic songs to dazzling costumes and breathtaking sets and Oscar-winning performances, there is truly nothing like Wicked. I know this movie will captivate audiences and capture the magic just as well as the first one. It will be an unforgettable cinematic experience for us all, whether or not you’re a hardcore fan. I hope everyone is just as thrilled as I am to step back into Oz and witness this enchanting story for the second time.