The land of Oz is once again stirring—and this time, it’s war.
Universal Pictures has finally dropped the first full-length trailer for Wicked: For Good, the hotly anticipated sequel to 2024’s massive hit Wicked. As the concluding chapter of the two-part film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, this sequel promises political intrigue, emotional stakes, and the showdown fans have waited nearly two decades to see on the big screen.
Elphaba and Glinda Return—But As Enemies
Reprising their roles are powerhouse talents Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the ever-polite yet increasingly conflicted Good Witch of the North. While Wicked (2024) explored the blossoming friendship between these two women from very different worlds, Wicked: For Good explores what happens after they part ways—and what becomes of a friendship torn by power, fear, and fate.
Set in the aftermath of the first film’s dramatic climax, Elphaba is now an outlaw, labeled an enemy of the state. Glinda, on the other hand, has become a polished figurehead propped up by the manipulative Wizard of Oz. The trailer gives us a striking image of Glinda standing on a palace balcony, looking down at a torch-wielding mob hunting Elphaba—only for the green-skinned witch to appear beside her, cloaked in shadow.
Dorothy Enters the Frame
One of the most talked-about moments in the trailer is the first glimpse of Dorothy Gale, walking the yellow brick road with her iconic companions—the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. While Dorothy's role in the stage musical was brief and mostly symbolic, this trailer teases a more substantial involvement in the cinematic adaptation. The actress playing Dorothy has yet to be revealed, adding an air of mystery and excitement among fans.
Meanwhile, Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard ominously demands, “Get me the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West,” signaling that Dorothy’s fateful clash with Elphaba will be a major narrative thread in the sequel.
New Songs, New Stakes
One of the challenges Wicked: For Good faces is living up to the musical highs of the first film, which featured the stage show's most iconic numbers—Defying Gravity, Popular, and The Wizard and I. With those fan-favorites already used, the sequel introduces two brand-new songs, written specifically for this installment. Director Jon M. Chu promises these additions are “essential to the story,” and early buzz hints they could become modern classics in their own right.
The Chemistry That Shines On and Off Screen
Erivo and Grande’s on-screen chemistry was a key part of the first film’s success, both as performers and real-life friends. Their connection has led to viral interviews, memorable promotional appearances, and even a joint performance at the 2025 Academy Awards. That chemistry appears to deepen in Wicked: For Good, especially in the emotional moments teased in the trailer.
One heart-wrenching scene shows Elphaba telling Glinda, “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had.” Glinda, in true fashion, responds with a bittersweet smile: “And I’ve had so many friends—but only one that mattered.”
It’s a line that echoes the stage musical’s finale and the show’s title track, “For Good”—a phrase that now not only symbolizes their impact on each other’s lives but also the permanence of the choices they’ve made.
A Wedding, A War, and a Revolution
Another striking trailer moment shows Glinda in a lavish wedding dress, suggesting a possible marriage to Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the conflicted prince caught between duty and desire. He promises Glinda he has “changed”—a nod to the musical’s lyrics and his own shifting loyalties.
Yet even as personal relationships unfold, political turmoil brews. The trailer shows Elphaba scrawling “Our wizard lies” across the sky in a stunning broomstick-fueled display, as dissent against Oz’s corrupt leadership grows. With winged monkeys circling and allegiances shifting, the sequel ramps up both its emotional and narrative stakes.
Director Jon M. Chu describes this second chapter as darker and more intense:
“Our heart was broken when Glinda couldn't make the choice we wanted her to in the first movie. In this one, we see the consequences. The temperature is up.”
From Broadway to the Big Screen
Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and the smash-hit Broadway musical it inspired, Wicked was already a cultural phenomenon before its film adaptation. The first movie not only met expectations—it smashed them, becoming the UK’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and winning two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Filming for both parts took place simultaneously at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, though production was paused mid-way due to the Hollywood actors’ strike.
Clocking in at over two and a half hours, Wicked (2024) was nearly as long as the entire stage show. With Wicked: For Good continuing the story with even more drama, fans can expect an equally immersive experience when the film hits theaters on November 21st.
