Splitting the Tony-winning musical in half on the big screen, Wicked: For Good is slated to arrive in 2025, and there are already a ton of exciting details. Based on the eponymous musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, Wicked is set in the world of L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz, and follows Galinda (the eventual good witch) and Elphaba (the eventual wicked witch) as they attend the prestigious Shiz University. The stage production was a smash-hit, and it was only natural that Hollywood would come calling, but delays pushed the surefire blockbuster further and further down the line.

When the movie finally did arrive in 2024, Wicked was greeted with stellar reviews that put particular emphasis on the film's scale and the performances of the main cast. Though changes from the stage production were inevitable when adapting a Broadway musical, the most ambitious choice was to split the story into two separate films. Mimicking the two-act structure of the show, Wicked: For Good will cover the second act of the epic tale, and conclude the major chapter in Oz history with a bang. Wicked: For Good already has a release date, and anticipation builds for the gravity-defying sequel.

Wicked: For Good Latest News

New Footage Premieres At CinemaCon 2025

Taking its place as one of Universal's crown jewels for 2025, the latest news finds footage from Wicked: For Good premiering at CinemaCon. Universal Studios had a at the annual movie preview event, and they dedicated considerable time to the second half of Wicked. Unfortunately, most footage screened at CinemaCon isn't available to the public yet, so ScreenRant (who attended the event) has provided an in-depth description of what was shown.

Read the description here:

The teaser begins with Glinda running outside, and seeing glass cracking on the building. “Elphaba I know you’re out here. Just come in before the monkeys spot you.” Elphaha then appears behind her in the dark. “There’s no going back,” Elphaba says, “This is between the wizard and I.”

Fiyero now leads a squadron. “Our Wizard Lies,” Elphaba writes in the clouds as she flies in the sky. Glinda goes back to the tower/attic where she last saw Elphaba. We then see them together. Glinda leans on Elphaba’s shoulder and says, “Think of what we could do together.”

Fiyero aims a pistol at Elphaba, but quickly turns to aim at the Wizard, betraying him. “You’re the only friend I ever had,” Elphaba says. Glinda responds, “And I have so many friends.” Later… “I’m off to see the wizard,” Elphaba says as she uses her magic to pull her broom towards her, then she’s last shown flying away.

Wicked: For Good Release Date

Return To Oz In November 2025

Even if the movie's release date has changed several times since it was first announced, the release strategy for Wicked: For Good seems to be setting the sequel up for success. Coming nearly a year to the day after the wide release of Wicked, For Good will hit theaters on November 21, 2025, hoping to once again capture the Thanksgiving holiday magic. However, since the date has changed several times already, there's no guarantee that Wicked: For Good will stick with that date.

Wicked premiered on November 22, 2024.

X (formerly Twitter) CinePOP shared a photo of the poster for Wicked: For Good:

Wicked: For Good Cast Details

Glinda & Elphaba Will Return In Part Two

Because Wicked: For Good is merely picking up where the first one left off, the entire cast of Wicked is expected to return in the sequel. Most importantly, Cynthia Erivo will be back as Elphaba, and she'll be ed by Ariana Grande as the ever-popular Glinda. Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey will reprise his role as the Winkie prince, and Glinda's boyfriend, Fiyero, while Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh returns as Madame Morrible. Proving to not be so wonderful after all, The Wizard of Oz will again be played by Jeff Goldblum.

Though the sequel's cast will mostly be made up of returning characters, Wicked: For Good could also introduce characters familiar to fans of the classic Wizard of Oz stories. Dorothy, her dog Toto, and the Cowardly Lion have all been teased in various trailers for the first movie, but no casting details have been revealed.

The cast of Wicked: For Good includes:

Wicked: For Good Story Details

The Second Act Is Still In Store

By the end of Wicked, the movie had only covered the first act of the show, meaning there are still several iconic moments left. Having defied the Wizard and Madame Morrible's plans, Elphaba flies away to form a resistance against their cruelty, while Glinda stays on to fix the system from the inside. However, the destruction of their friendship always drives a wedge between Glinda and Fiyero. Many key events bring Wicked: For Good closer to the events seen in The Wizard of Oz, and the second half of the story explains the origins of many recognizable Oz icons.

Some minor changes are expected in Wicked: For Good, and it has already been confirmed that Glinda will sing an entirely new song (composed by Stephen Schwartz) that will flesh out a moment from the play that largely happens off-stage. It's unclear what others changes might happen, but based on the first film in the two-part saga, it will likely be an addition to the second act as opposed to a subtraction.