Something "Wicked" this way comes!

by Cláudio Alves

Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu and Cynthia Erivo photographed by Giles Keyte on the set of WICKED: FOR GOOD | © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

In 1900, L. Frank Baum published the first book in what would become a series and a cultural monument – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Two years later, he'd adapt Dorothy's adventure into a musical extravaganza for the stage, and six years after, that Kansas girl would walk the yellow brick road into the silver screen for the first time. But it would take MGM's 1939 Technicolor miracle of a movie for The Wizard of Oz to reach its full potential. In 1995, Gregory Maguire used Baum's creation to question the workings of American propaganda through a revisionist tale. In 2003, Wicked reached the stage, reimagined as a mega musical that would take the world by storm. Last year, Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of the show's first act wowed audiences and, next week, the story ends, For Good.

It's been a long journey to get here, and I was lucky enough to attend the London premiere of Wicked: For Good, experiencing one of 2025's most anticipated movies firsthand, along with the fervor of die-hard fans and the media fanfare of a promotional roll-out the likes of which we rarely get to witness...

© NBCUniversal

But before the stars walked the brick-patterned yellow carpet, part of the film's team faced the press for some questions. The conference took place on the eve of the premiere, as workers toiled outside, on Leicester Square, preparing the stage for what was to come, Ozian splendor blooming in the heart of the UK's capital. Ariana Grande spoke first, talking about a vision of Glinda that digs deep into the character's insecurities, the bubble-like façade with which she faces the world, and that invariably bursts in this darker second act of the Wicked musical. For Grande, it was especially gratifying to explore the kindred loneliness of the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba.

Whoever saw their chemistry in the first movie and accompanying promo tour won't be surprised to know that the musical stars have nothing but love and respect for each other. But Grande also expressed plenty of admiration for all the actresses who have played Glinda on stage, starting with Kristin Chenoweth, whose work she honors while making the character her own. She doesn't stop there, bringing up some of her Old Hollywood passions when asked about how such pictures may have influenced this star turn. Billy Burke, of course, but also Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Audrey Hepburn. Finding comfort and inspiration in classics and their stars is something most The Film Experience readers can relate to, surely.

Photo: Lara Cornell | © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

That said, perhaps the most moving tidbit Grande shared was how this project revitalized her love for creating and how rewarding it felt to return to acting after so many years dedicated to her music career. Between discussions of tackling "Thank Goodness" and the privilege of originating a new Stephen Schwartz song with "The Girl in the Bubble," the Oscar-nominated thespian was keen on describing the process as healing. Then again, she wasn't the only one blessed with a new tune in Wicked: For Good. Cynthia Erivo has "No Place Like Home," though it's hard to dwell on it when there are so many other momentous songs to tackle – contrary to popular belief, there are good numbers in the musical's second act – "No Good Deed" above all others.

Regarding that titanic tune, Erivo spoke of Elphaba's descent into darkness, her hopelessness, and ultimate relenting to the wickedness others accuse her of embodying, not as a show of power, but as a display of vulnerability. In that regard, the actress finds connective tissue between the witch and Dracula, whom she'll be playing alongside 22 other roles in Kip Williams' theatrical reimagining of Bram Stoker's classic story. Only, the vampire doesn't experience surrender as much as they entertain evil. In Erivo's own words, he "has sort of made darkness his business," contrasting Elphaba's troubling circumstances in For Good. There's still light in her, of course, even if the temptation of wrongdoing is powerful, as is the actress' interest in excavating and exploring that side of her character.

Between the Wicked Witch of the West and Count Dracula, Erivo has shown a propensity, of late, for tackling iconic villainous figures. We can only hope the vampire is as dazzling a creation as her green-skinned sorceress, whose arc is, in some ways, so drastic that Erivo almost seems to talk about the Elphabas of parts one and two as different roles. Indeed, while shooting the movies, the actress kept going back to a playlist she devised to her herself situate emotionally in the scene. Unwittingly, the selection of songs ended up comprising two distinct halves. First, there was anger and a fighting spirit. Then, heartbreak and love songs. It's what separates someone still discovering themselves, very defensive, from a woman who has come to grips with who she is, what she has to do, and its consequences.

Photo: Giles Keyte | © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Talking about this evolution, Erivo further ascribes an upward movement to the first film's Elphaba, culminating in her soaring to the heavens in "Defying Gravity." While, in For Good, there's a more grounded, downward gesture, digging deep, going under the Wizard's lies but also the literal earth of Oz for her final escape. Listening to Erivo, it's easy to spot the signs of a stage performer bringing much of that experience and technique into the matter of movie making, a quality that often surges through the film as an anchoring force. Even when Chu surrounds his star with CGI critters or a weightless camera floating through the digital space, there's a weight to Elphaba, even in the way Erivo carries herself. 

To that effect, both leading ladies were keen on praising the crew that helped bring Wicked to the big screen. Grande mentioned Nathan Crowley's sets, including the efforts made by the designer, Chu, and company to make Wicked a sustainable production that received the Environmental Media Association's gold seal. Erivo was keener on talking costume and makeup and how they help construct Elphaba as a cogent characterization. For example, it was a conscious decision to eschew materials that implied any harm to animals when dressing the witch, opting for waxed linens over more conventional leathers. Other details are hidden from the audience but exist to aid the performer, such as the use of a shredded costume from Elphaba's school days as the base garment underneath her coat.

Honestly, I could write a whole piece about the movie's costumes which work even better in the sequel than they did in part one. Because of the theme park-like fascism imposed by the Wizard on his people, there's a greater coherence to the crowd scenes, while the main characters' costumes embrace the idea of being curated presentations of their wearers. Glinda mostly dons variations of four dresses in Wicked: For Good, including the pink confection we already glimpsed in "No One Mourns the Wicked." While this choice may annoy some fans eager for the film to do double duty as a fantasy fashion show, it's a sound dramaturgical move. Also, for what it's worth, her main blue gown is equally impressive in person – Universal had some of the multiples of Elphaba and Glinda's primary costumes on display for the premiere.

Alas, reviews are embargoed until Tuesday, November 18, so I can't give too much away. Believe me, I have much to say, and not all of it good – that awkward structure… yikes –  but that'll have to wait. For now, let me assure you that Wicked: For Good is an emotional wallop. Hell, the titular song made me tear up in a way that was most unexpected since that's never happened when experiencing it in other contexts. It obviously helped that the audience around me was so captivated, hyped by the sheer furor and energy of a show-stopping premiere. Outside the theater, fans waited for hours in the rain, some of them in elaborate cosplay, for a chance to see their idols and a few devotees even took pieces of the yellow carpet home as souvenirs when all was said and done.

Jonathan Bailey, recently announced as People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, charmed the crowd and the event's hosts as only he could. Already seated inside, munching on Wicked-themed lemonade-flavored popcorn, with the interviews from the carpet being projected onto the IMAX screen, I could hear someone say they wished they could pet him as Bailey blessed us all with a killer smile. Still, it's hard to focus too much on the Fiyero actor when his colleagues brought such dazzling couture to the premiere. Michelle Yeoh has rarely looked better than she did that night, modelling a Self-Portrait gown with a cascading ruffle down the back. Erivo mixed vinyl and silk in a Prada design, while Grande paid respect to the original Wizard of Oz costume designer by wearing a vintage 1950s ballgown by Adrian. Even from far away, it was lovely to witness how those pieces moved, paillettes glittering like black butterflies fluttering in place. All in all, a memorable night at the movies.

Photo: Toju Bello | © NBCUniversal

Are you excited about Wicked: For Good? The film arrives in theaters this Friday, November 21.