The much-anticipated film “Wicked: For Good” is set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025, and excitement is building among fans of the beloved musical. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this adaptation promises to bring the story “as it was meant to be told,” capturing the essence of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” The book is a retelling of the original story, based on L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 children’s tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
In this new movie-musical adaptation, it’s British star Jonathan Bailey who takes on the role of Fiyero. This character was most notoriously originated by Norbert Leo Butz in the stage adaptation. L to R: Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose. Their performances — in voice and song — bring real weight to the story, exploring both the friendship and the competition between two legendary witches.
Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, while Ariana Grande plays Glinda, her bubbly counterpart. Their performances are sure to be the best part of the movie. Plus, they’ll no doubt mine the deep bench of character development across the source book and musical.
Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He vows to deliver a distinctive and unexpected take on this iconic role. In the movie, Michelle Yeoh will play Madame Morrible, a role that was originated by the wonderful Carole Shelley in the show’s first Broadway cast. Fans have waited years to see how these iconic actors will bring their legendary characters to life in this long anticipated adaptation.
“Wicked” has already put its stamp upon Hollywood, racking up Oscar nominations in ten distinct categories at the 97th Academy Awards. The film did win for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, reaffirming its visual splendor and creative artistry.
As the release date approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of the trailer for “Wicked: For Good.” The art direction is beautiful and a great tribute to the source material. Simultaneously, it reimagines and reinterprets the piece for a modern audience, giving it new life.
“as it was meant to be told.” – Jon M. Chu
