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Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the musical with Ariana Grande takes shape
After casting a spell on audiences with Wicked in 2024, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return to the magical landscapes of Oz in a sequel to the saga. In Wicked: For Good, the two actresses are stepping back into their roles as Galinda and Elphaba, two budding witches, who have now become enemies. Fifth biggest film at the global box office in 2024, ten Oscar nominations… Will this sequel live up to the original? Numéro takes a closer look as a new trailer of Wicked: For Good has just been released.
By Jordan Bako.
Published on 21 October 2025. Updated on 19 November 2025.
It was the dream of a lifetime for singer Ariana Grande. Before becoming the pop star we know today, the Californian had made her debut on Broadway at the age of 15. Back then, she already had one role in mind – the fairy Galinda, the emblematic character from the musical Wicked. A dream that has now come true.
Wicked, a cult musical adapted on the silver screen
More than 80 years after Judy Garland, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring the enchanted landscapes of The Wizard of Oz back to life in Wicked. Gregory Maguire’s novel was first adapted into a stage musical by Stephen Schwartz in 2003, before hitting the big screen in 2024.
A kind of prequel to The Wizard of Oz, it doesn’t follow the tale of the ruler of Oz, but that of two compelling characters. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba Thropp, a young and gifted sorceress ostracized for her green skin and her magical powers. While Ariana Grande embodies Glinda Upland, a witch adored by all, who comes from a wealthy family. When these two souls meet, they clash bitterly at first. But forced to share a room, they eventually become best friends.
An Oscar-nominated feature
Beneath its childlike appearance, Wicked draws the portrait of an authoritarian regime ruled by the iron fist of the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and his confidante, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). The musical was a commercial success, ranked fifth at the global box office in 2024. But above all, it was largely acclaimed by the critics.
Indeed, the fairy tale Wicked stood as the perfect counterpoint to the biopics, dramas, and action blockbusters leading the race to the 2025 Oscars. Up against Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Ralph Fiennes in the papal epic Conclave, and the frenzied antics of the quartet in Jacques Audiard’s musical Emilia Pérez, Wicked did not go unnoticed. Thanks to the performances of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – as well as the film’s impressive production – Wicked was nominated in no fewer than 10 times at the Oscars.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to star in Wicked: For Good
This year, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are back in Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked. And Colman Domingo will lend his voice to the cowardly lion. While the stage musical was not divided into two acts, director Jon M. Chu felt compelled to split the story into two chapters in order to do it justice. On X, he explained that as he prepared Wicked last year, “it became increasingly clear that it would be impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it.”
In this new chapter, we once again follow the adventures of Elphaba and Glinda, who have become enemies. The former falls victim to a political conspiracy, incurring the wrath of the citizens of Oz. As for the latter, she becomes the regime’s puppet, forced to act against her friend. We can therefore expect a second instalment with darker themes than in the first opus.
Scheduled for release on November 19th, 2025, the feature film could well win an Oscar. Indeed, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo stand a real chance this year, after walking away empty-handed last time. Bets are particularly high on Cynthia Erivo, who could be in the running for Best Original Song – in addition to Best Actress – since she performs and co-wrote one of the tracks for Wicked: For Good.
If this were to happen, she would achieve the coveted EGOT status – the distinction awarded to artists who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award. A very rare, highly sought-after achievement…
Wicked: For Good (2025), directed by Jon M. Chu, coming out in theatres on November 19th, 2025.
