Great news! Just a few months after the debut date for the initial part of the two-segment Wicked movie was brought forward from Christmas 2024 to Thanksgiving 2024, Universal Pictures has similarly advanced the sequel’s release. Wicked Part Two: For Good is now slated for November 26, 2025, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about this update.
The director of the movie, Jon M. Chu, along with the lead stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, relayed the news on social media.
An adaptation of the enduring Broadway sensation, the two-part cinematic interpretation of Wicked features Tony Award-winning actress Erivo as Elphaba and pop artist (and Broadway veteran) Grande as Glinda. Olivier Award-winning actor from the West End Company and Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey is cast as Fiyero, with Ethan Slater, known for his role in SpongeBob SquarePants, playing Boq.
Also in the ensemble are 2023 Oscar laureate Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, and newcomer Marissa Bode as Nessarose, who is the first actor who uses a wheelchair in the history of the musical to assume the role. Stage and screen icon Keala Settle, SNL’s Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Aaron Teoh, and Colin Michael Carmichael will portray characters newly introduced in the film version of the musical. These include Settle as Miss Coddle, Carmichael as Professor Nikidik, and Yang, James, and Teoh as Shiz students Pfannee, ShenShen, and Avaric. Recently, during an episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, Yang revealed that the part of Doctor Dillamond is yet to be cast and is currently being performed by a puppeteer during shooting.
The screen rendition, set to feature Stephen Schwartz’s new compositions, is overseen by In the Heights director Jon M. Chu. Wicked book writer Winnie Holzman has written the screenplay, with Tony laureate Paul Tazewell designing the costumes.
Wicked, which adds a new backstory to the classic tale, The Wizard of Oz, first hit Broadway in 2003 and continues to captivate audiences at the Gershwin Theatre—based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, the musical, featuring Schwartz’s music and lyrics and a book by Holzman, initially starred Tony winners Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Since then, the musical has seen performances in over 100 cities across 16 countries, and in October 2019, it overtook Les Misérables as the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history.
The production received the 2004 Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical (Menzel), Best Costume Design (Susan Hilferty), and Best Scenic Design (Eugene Lee).
As fans eagerly anticipate the new Wicked films, it’s clear that the two-part series seeks to reimagine the beloved story freshly and thrillingly. With an exceptional cast and the same captivating music, the world of Oz is set to come alive like never before. From the revised release dates to the stellar lineup, there’s no denying that the buzz around these films is well-deserved. Whether you’re a die-hard Wicked fan or new to the magical world of Oz, these cinematic adaptations promise to deliver a sensational new take on the iconic Broadway hit.
