Two original songs will be added to Wicked: For Good, but these won’t do much to level out this sequel’s disadvantage. Director Jon M. Chu chose to split the Wicked musical into two parts for his on-screen adaptation, ensuring that every detail of Elphaba and Glinda’s stories is done justice. While this proved to be an excellent choice for the first film, the second half, officially called Wicked: For Good, is at a bit of a disadvantage thanks to some differences in the Broadway musical’s second act. The addition of new songs is promising, but there is one particular issue that this won’t help.

Many of Wicked‘s most notable songs are in the Broadway show’s first act. While there are certainly some bangers in Act 2, such as “No Good Deed” and “For Good,” they pack a different sort of punch than “Defying Gravity” or “What Is This Feeling.” This isn’t an issue on the stage since the shift between the first and second half of the show allows for a comfortable rise and fall within a single production. For two separate movies, however, things get a bit more complicated. It’s for this reason that changes in Wicked: For Good are necessary.

Wicked: For Good’s 2 New Songs Are Solos For Elphaba & Glinda

Stephen Schwartz Added Additional Songs To Wicked Part 2

Wicked: For Good will feature two new songs written by original Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz. It’s certainly comforting to know that the genius mind behind “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” will be the one to contribute additional songs to the story. Additionally, it has been revealed that these songs will feature solo performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with their respective characters each getting their own new musical number. As evidenced by memorable solos in Wicked: Part 1, these will surely be excellent. Still, it’s disappointing that Wicked: For Good will be lacking in ensemble numbers.

Elphaba & Glinda Getting New Solo Songs Means That Wicked: For Good Will Be Lacking Big Ensemble Numbers

There Are Very Few Ensemble Songs In The Second Half Of Wicked

The big ensemble musical numbers are contained primarily within the first act of Wicked, with the second act focused more on solo performances. This makes a lot of sense thematically since it emphasizes just how alone Elphaba and Glinda are after they go their separate ways following “Defying Gravity.” Still, it’s a shame for the movies considering the spectacles that were “What is This Feeling,” “Dancing Through Life,” and “One Short Day” in Wicked: Part 1. The choreography and ensemble sound of these numbers made them some of the best moments of the first movie.

Wicked: For Good will be lacking in this, with only short and sweet ensemble moments and reprises in the original musical’s second act. The sequel could have corrected this with new songs that would capture the same sort of energy, but Schwartz added solo numbers instead. For this reason, Wicked: For Good will be at a bit of a disadvantage since audiences will expect the second part of Chu’s on-screen musical to match the energy of the first. It will ultimately be all the more important that the second Wicked movie leans into other ways that it can be spectacular.

How Wicked: For Good Can Still Live Up To Its Predecessor’s Spectacle

The Visuals For These Solos Must Be Exceptional

While Shiz and the Emerald City provided ample opportunity for big ensemble numbers, the isolated nature of Wicked: For Good opened the doors for solos and duets. These are spectacular on the stage, but Chu will have to work a little harder to make them stand out on the screen. “As Long As Your Mine” is sure to be exceptional, but Elphaba and Fiyero can’t simply sit in front of each other as they sing their love song like they do on stage. There will have to be a more involved set and some additional, far more exciting choreography. The same is true for essentially every other solo and duet.

Thankfully, Wicked: Part 1 has already demonstrated how powerful solos and duets can be on screen. So long as Wicked: For Good leans into the personal character development that is so pivotal at this point in the story, these musical numbers can hold up to the big ensemble moments of Part 1. In this way, Elphaba and Glinda’s new solo songs can help to enhance the second movie. If these songs are focused on carrying these characters’ personal journies forward, then the emotional impact will be there—even without mᴀssive group dances in the library or cities full of emerald singers.