Wicked: For Good – The Epic Conclusion to the Witches of Oz

Introduction

Wicked: For Good (2025) is the highly anticipated second part of Universal Pictures’ two-film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical Wicked, which itself draws from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this musical fantasy epic concludes the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda, the witches who become legends in L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Following the monumental success of Wicked (2024), which grossed over $750 million worldwide and earned 10 Academy Award nominations, Wicked: For Good promises to deliver a darker, more emotionally resonant chapter. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film explores the consequences of their choices, the fracturing of their friendship, and their ultimate destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. This article offers a comprehensive introduction to Wicked: For Good, covering its plot, cast, themes, production, reception, and cultural significance.

Plot Summary

Wicked: For Good picks up after the dramatic events of Wicked: Part One, which concluded with Elphaba’s powerful rendition of “Defying Gravity” as she flees the Emerald City, rejecting the Wizard’s corrupt regime. Set before, during, and after the events of The Wizard of Oz, the sequel follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now branded the Wicked Witch of the West, as she lives in exile in the Ozian forest. She continues her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and seeks to expose the truth about the Wizard’s fraudulent power. Meanwhile, Glinda (Ariana Grande), now a glamorous figurehead in the Emerald City, serves as a mouthpiece for the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), reassuring Oz’s citizens of stability under their rule.

As Glinda prepares for a spectacular wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), she grapples with her separation from Elphaba and attempts to broker a reconciliation between her friend and the Wizard. These efforts falter, driving the two witches further apart. The arrival of a girl from Kansas—Dorothy Gale—sets off a chain of events that transforms the lives of Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, and Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode). As an angry mob rises against the “Wicked Witch,” the film builds toward an emotional reunion between Elphaba and Glinda, highlighted by the iconic duet “For Good.” The narrative explores the consequences of their choices, weaving a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and redemption, with new scenes expanding on the Broadway musical’s second act, including Glinda’s wedding and the Wizard’s pursuit of Elphaba.

Characters and Cast

Wicked: For Good features a returning ensemble cast, delivering powerhouse performances:

• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba: The misunderstood green-skinned witch, now fully embracing her power and defiance. Erivo’s vocal prowess and emotional depth shine in songs like “No Good Deed,” capturing Elphaba’s rage and resolve.
• Ariana Grande as Glinda: The privileged yet conflicted Good Witch, whose journey in the sequel explores her growth and inner turmoil. Grande’s performance, especially in “For Good,” is expected to be a highlight.
• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero: The charismatic prince caught between Elphaba and Glinda. Bailey brings fresh energy to Fiyero’s evolving role, particularly in scenes involving his pursuit of Elphaba.
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard: The deceptive ruler of Oz, whose true nature drives the conflict. Goldblum teases a potential musical moment, adding complexity to the character.
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible: The manipulative headmistress, whose schemes deepen in the sequel. Yeoh’s commanding presence enhances the character’s menace.
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose: Elphaba’s sister, portrayed authentically by Bode, a wheelchair user, bringing groundbreaking representation to the role. Her performance reimagines the “Wicked Witch of the East” sequence.
• Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Pfannee and ShenShen: Glinda’s fawning assistants, adding comedic flair.
• Sharon D. Clarke as Dulcibear: Elphaba’s childhood nanny, providing emotional grounding.

The film also includes subtle intersections with The Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy Gale and her companions appearing in new scenes, though Chu has hinted at preserving the audience’s personal vision of Dorothy.

Themes and Style

Wicked: For Good delves into darker, more complex themes than its predecessor, focusing on consequences and truth. Director Jon M. Chu has described the sequel as exploring the “consequences of making the right or wrong choices,” with Elphaba’s fight against propaganda and Glinda’s complicity in Oz’s political turmoil taking center stage. The film amplifies themes of friendship and transformation, particularly through the emotional weight of the titular song “For Good,” which reflects how Elphaba and Glinda have changed each other. Issues of prejudice, power, and resistance resonate strongly, with Elphaba’s advocacy for Animal rights paralleling real-world struggles against oppression.

Stylistically, the film retains the vibrant, Technicolor-inspired aesthetic of Wicked: Part One, with lush production design and costumes that earned Oscars for the first film. The sequel adopts a tonally darker palette, reflecting the escalating stakes. Cinematography by Alice Brooks and production design by Nathan Crowley create a vivid Oz, from the Emerald City’s opulence to the eerie Ozian forest. The score, composed by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz, includes iconic songs like “No Good Deed” and “For Good,” alongside two new songs crafted for Elphaba and Glinda to deepen their arcs. The film’s choreography and visual effects, including Elphaba’s broom-flying sequences and sky-writing of “OUR WIZARD LIES,” promise a spectacle that builds on the first film’s visual decadence.

Production and Development

Wicked: For Good was filmed back-to-back with Wicked: Part One, under Jon M. Chu’s direction, ensuring continuity in vision and performance. The decision to split the Broadway musical into two films was announced in April 2022, with composer Stephen Schwartz noting that a single film would require damaging omissions, particularly around “Defying Gravity.” The screenplay, by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, stays faithful to the musical’s second act while introducing new scenes to expand the narrative, including Glinda’s wedding and interactions with Dorothy’s story.

Production faced challenges, notably the destruction of composer John Powell’s home studio in the 2025 Palisades Fire, delaying some post-production work. Live instrumentals were recorded at AIR Studios in May or June 2025, with mixing continuing thereafter. The film’s visual effects, a critical component given its fantastical elements, led Chu to delay the trailer’s release from Super Bowl LIX to June 4, 2025, ensuring technical perfection. Producers Marc Platt and David Stone, alongside executive producers Schwartz, Jared LeBoff, and David Nicksay, have guided the project’s ambitious scope, building on the first film’s record-breaking success.

Reception and Anticipation

While Wicked: For Good has not yet been released as of June 2025, early reactions to its first trailer, debuted at CinemaCon on April 2, 2025, and publicly on June 4, 2025, have been overwhelmingly positive. Theater owners and fans praised the trailer’s emotional depth, showcasing Elphaba and Glinda’s reunion, Fiyero’s hunt, and snippets of “No Good Deed” and “For Good.” Posts on X describe the film as “more magical, colorful, and emotional” than the first, with “ethereal vocals” and a focus on propaganda and politics in Oz. The film’s poster, featuring Elphaba and Glinda on opposing cliffs with the Yellow Brick Road below, has fueled excitement, with its tagline “You will be changed” resonating with fans.

The first film’s critical and commercial triumph—grossing $755.4 million and becoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation—sets high expectations. Critics lauded Wicked: Part One for its visuals, performances, and fidelity to the musical, though some noted pacing issues. Wicked: For Good is poised to address these critiques by focusing on character depth and emotional stakes, with early buzz suggesting it could surpass its predecessor. The film’s release on November 21, 2025, strategically avoids competition with Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash, positioning it for a strong Thanksgiving box office.

Cultural and Historical Context

Wicked: For Good arrives amid a cultural fascination with reimagined fairy tales and musical adaptations, following the success of films like The Color Purple (2023) and Wonka (2023). Its exploration of propaganda, truth, and societal division feels timely, reflecting contemporary debates about misinformation and power. The film’s emphasis on disability inclusion, with Marissa Bode’s historic casting as Nessarose, has been celebrated as a milestone, with Erivo and Grande praising her impact on representation.

The Wicked franchise is evolving into a media juggernaut, with theme park attractions in development at Universal Destinations & Experiences and a musical TV special, The Wicked Event Special, set to air on NBC in November 2025. The stage musical, now in its 22nd year on Broadway, has seen record grosses in 2024, boosted by the first film’s popularity. Wicked: For Good also ties into the legacy of The Wizard of Oz, offering a fresh perspective on its iconic characters while honoring its Golden Age Hollywood roots.

Legacy and Future Prospects

Wicked: For Good is poised to cement the Wicked franchise as a cultural touchstone, with potential for further expansion. Schwartz and Holzman have hinted at “something” beyond the two films, though not titled Wicked Part Three, suggesting a wider Wicked universe. The film’s focus on Elphaba and Glinda’s transformative friendship, combined with its visual and musical grandeur, positions it as a contender for awards and enduring fan devotion.

The sequel’s release will coincide with the Broadway musical’s continued global reach, including productions in Spain, Singapore, and beyond. Its impact on musical cinema, already evident from the first film’s accolades, is likely to grow, with Wicked: For Good expected to be a defining moment in the genre.

Conclusion

Wicked: For Good is more than a sequel—it’s a soaring, emotional finale that brings the story of Elphaba and Glinda to its destined close. With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivering career-defining performances, Jon M. Chu’s visionary direction, and a narrative that balances spectacle with heart, the film promises to captivate audiences. Its exploration of truth, friendship, and resilience, set against the vibrant backdrop of Oz, makes it a must-see event. As the trailer declares, “You will be changed”—and Wicked: For Good is set to leave an indelible mark on cinema when it arrives on November 21, 2025.