Step inside the magical world of Wicked where director Jon M. Chu and stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s dedication to live singing created an emotional spectacle, moving cast and crew to tears and promising an unforgettable two-part cinematic event.
The highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of Wicked, the beloved Broadway musical, is set to transport audiences to the fantastical world of Oz like never before. Split into two ambitious parts, Wicked: Part One and Wicked: For Good, the films promise to delve deep into the untold story of the Land of Oz, exploring the unlikely friendship and eventual rivalry between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch.
Under the visionary direction of Jon M. Chu, the production has already captivated the industry and ignited fan excitement, largely due to the extraordinary commitment of its lead stars to sing live on set, a decision that profoundly impacted everyone involved.
The Unprecedented Power of Live Singing
One of the most defining and ambitious choices made for the Wicked films was the decision for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to sing all their songs live during filming in London. This approach, departing from the common practice of lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks, infused the production with an unparalleled raw emotion. Cinematographer Alice Brooks shared in an exclusive interview with NBC Insider that the live singing “affected the entire mood of the set,” describing how hundreds of technicians and crew members were moved to tears daily by Erivo’s breathtaking soprano and Grande’s bright vocals.
Editor Myron Kerstein echoed these sentiments, revealing that one scene, in particular, brought him to tears repeatedly in the editing bay. Songs like “I’m Not That Girl,” “Dancing Through Life,” and the iconic finale, “Defying Gravity,” were performed with such intensity that the energy was palpable throughout the set. This commitment allowed the cast and crew to truly feel they were “making something really special,” as Brooks recalled seeing key grips crying during massive push-in shots on Erivo.
A poignant example of this emotional depth is the Ozdust Ballroom scene. Here, Elphaba, in her witch’s hat for the first time, takes to the dance floor amidst snickering students. In a powerful moment of solidarity and friendship, Glinda joins her, transforming a scene of potential humiliation into a turning point. Kerstein admitted that the ten-minute takes for this scene would make him cry every single time, showcasing the profound impact of the live performances on even those behind the camera.
Jon M. Chu’s Personal Vision and Emotional Journey
Director Jon M. Chu’s connection to Wicked runs deep, marked by visible emotion and a profound personal investment in the project. At a CinemaCon presentation, Chu choked back tears, stating, “We dreamed very, very, very big for ‘Wicked.’ We wanted to honor the source material. But we also wanted to create a new world of its own — a magical land full of sights and sounds that will astonish,” as reported by Variety.
Chu’s journey as a filmmaker, notably with his work on Crazy Rich Asians, reflects a broader narrative of achieving the American dream. He expressed during a dinner hosted by Gold House, an organization supporting the Asian and Pacific Islander community in entertainment, that “making Wicked has been the dream of a lifetime.” He highlighted how his parents, who ran Chef Chu’s in the Bay Area for over 50 years, instilled in him the belief that the American dream is real. This personal connection informs his approach to Wicked: For Good, where he feels the cast is telling their own stories within the fantasy, asserting, “we can make our own road.”
CinemaCon Revelations: Part One and For Good
The anticipation for Wicked was palpable at CinemaCon events. In 2024, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, dressed in their characters’ signature pink and green, hyped up Wicked: Part One, introducing a dazzling extended featurette scored to “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.” The footage showcased the vibrant world of Oz, including scenes at Shiz University, the Ozdust Ballroom, and glimpses of Elphaba receiving her iconic witch hat. Universal Pictures also confirmed Peter Dinklage would voice Dr. Dillamond and presented a star-studded cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.
A year later, at CinemaCon 2025, Grande and Erivo returned alongside Chu and producer Marc Platt to tease Wicked: For Good. The footage included glimpses of Dorothy from the back and side, signaling her increased presence in the story, as well as a look at the yellow brick road. Snippets of Elphaba’s “No Good Deed” and Glinda’s half of “For Good” were heard, with Elphaba famously stating, “I’m off to see the wizard,” as she flew with her monkeys. Erivo promised “less waterworks this time, but I am not sure we can live up to that,” hinting at the continued emotional intensity, as reported by People.
Crafting the Musical Magic: Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The adaptation process for Wicked has been a deeply collaborative effort. Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway show, adapted the screenplay with Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. Chu shared with Elle that Schwartz even composed new songs for Wicked: For Good, including “No Place Like Home” for Elphaba and “Girl in the Bubble” for Glinda. These new additions were first heard by Grande and Erivo at Chu’s home during COVID, performed by Schwartz on a piano, leading to an emotional first listen and a spontaneous, tear-filled duet of “For Good.”
The Expanding World of Oz: Cast and Character Details
The full cast of Wicked is a formidable ensemble of talent. Returning for Wicked: For Good are key players like Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard), Marissa Bode (Nessarose), Bowen Yang (Pfannee), Ethan Slater (Boq), and Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible). A notable addition to the cast for Part Two is Colman Domingo, who will voice the Cowardly Lion. Chu personally reached out to Domingo, emphasizing it was a small but fun role, to which Domingo enthusiastically agreed.
While Dorothy’s presence is teased to be more significant in Wicked: For Good than in the stage show, Chu intends to maintain an element of mystery around her character. He explained that showing her face too clearly would shift the focus away from Elphaba and Glinda, reinforcing that the story remains “about the girls.”
Anticipation for ‘Wicked: For Good’: A Deeper Dive
Wicked: Part One, released in November 2024, achieved significant box office success, becoming the highest-grossing musical film adaptation ever and the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2024. It also garnered ten Oscar nominations, winning for Paul Tazewell’s costume design and Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales’ production design, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. This critical and commercial success sets a high bar for the sequel.
Wicked: For Good, hitting theaters on November 21, promises a darker and more mature chapter. As Erivo shared, the characters are “not in school anymore; they’ve stepped into their careers and stepped into their choices.” Chu further teased that “if Part 1 is about choices, Part 2 is about consequences,” challenging characters to confront the decisions they’ve made.
The Wicked films are poised to be a landmark cinematic event, honoring the beloved Broadway legacy while forging a new, emotionally charged path for the next generation of fans. With Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s powerful live performances, guided by Jon M. Chu’s passionate vision, the Land of Oz is ready to astound and move audiences worldwide.
