Support Us
Sign Up
No one can deny that director Jon M. Chu created something brilliant with the first part of a two-part film releasing, Wicked. Originally, the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, written by Gregory Maguire in 1995, the story of Wicked has transformed over the past 30 years into more than just a fairytale. In October 2003, lyricist Stephen Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman brought Maguire’s story to life with the Broadway production of Wicked. For a novel to go through all these stages and land on a two-part film shows how much of an impact it has had on culture and even simply the individual.
Over ten years ago, the Wicked film was announced by Universal Pictures and Marc Platt, both producers of the stage musical. It was not until years later, in 2021, when Jon M. Chu was announced to direct, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande cast in the two lead roles. In all honesty, there are those who waited years for those, and then people like me, who did not notice the film until they began the press run. While I love the movies, back in 2021, I had not yet watched the stage musical, nor did I follow film announcements. In 2023, I finally had the chance to watch Wicked on the West End in London and was blown away. Not only was the set design stunning, but the story was heartfelt and added more to The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939). When it was 2024 and the film had more promotion and buzz around it, that was when I started to follow it. That, and from my job at my local cinema.
Where Wicked and Wicked: For Good are different compared to other films, or series, is in the following it had before the films were released. The fans flocked to the internet to begin their theories and fights over casting and production. Some wanted other people cast in the roles, Amanda Seyfried as Galinda, for example. The Seyfried casting is one I can agree with. Though others knew of it longer, I recall seeing the video of Seyfried singing in the Galinda costume. Grande does a pleasant job as Glinda the Good. However, you begin to wonder what could have happened with Seyfried in the role. Though this question can come about for any film or television series. Other problems audience members had, once the film was released, were wondering why people were “spoiling” key plot points of the film, not cluing into the fact that the story has been around for decades. Being someone who knows the plot after having seen the West End production, you wonder why general audiences freaked out so much. The story has been around for decades. Unlike other films where key character details would be true spoilers, in the case of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, there is no spoiler that has not been around for years.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Bring Magic and Emotion to Wicked: For Good Finale
The choice of splitting the film into two parts allowed for plot points and key character development to avoid being omitted. It also, however, results in the fans and regular movie watchers having to wait a full year between the parts. Where with the stage musical you only had to wait a short intermission between acts, some people have been patiently, or impatiently, waiting for part two to release. As someone who knows what happens, it is not the end of the world not having gotten the finale for a full year. Yet, as someone who loves cinema, it has been time-consuming. Thankfully, the time has finally come. In a few short days, Wicked: For Good will be released in cinemas for all to enjoy.
Wicked finished in just the right moment, for those who know the stage musical. Right as Elphaba flies off from Oz, Galinda understands what she must do. This sets the stage for the second act of the play, and in the case of the films, for Wicked: For Good. From the trailer for the second part, the production quality looks just as compelling as the first. It may be promising, but we all know there will be a little disappointment in Wicked: For Good compared to its predecessor. Sequels, though this might not really be considered one, in most cases tend to be unable to live up to the original, but with Wicked, the second act does not always hit as hard for viewers. However, that being said, when the trailer for Wicked was released, I had tears in my eyes, and now with the trailer for Wicked: For Good out, the years have returned. I become more emotional than your average audience member, but maybe others will be just the same.
Wicked: For Good promises to be just as emotional as the prequel. If you teared up at both films’ trailers, you are in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In the sequel, years after the events of Wicked (2024), Elphaba and Glinda both settle into their roles as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Even though it is sad the two friends did not get to keep their friendship for long, Wicked: For Good will be very exciting. I cannot wait to see just how they transform all the characters and craft the path for the storyline of The Wizard of Oz on the screen.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have both done such an amazing job both as their roles and outside the film itself, promoting it. Their close bond they formed has impacted the films greatly. It is always nice to see actors become friends through working on projects together. If you can see the bond Erivo and Grande have forged from this long journey, you can understand just how important these two films are to them and everyone part of the Wicked team.
If you are ready to watch Wicked: For Good, it means you thoroughly enjoyed Wicked last year and have been impatiently waiting ever since. If you are just someone being dragged to the cinema to watch it, hopefully you enjoy yourself. But let us hope for those who loved the first part that the second part gives us something at the same level. By the end of the month, we will know if this past year has been worth the wait. Wicked: For Good opens in cinemas globally beginning November 21, 2025.
Follow us on MSN for more content like this.
