Wicked: For Good gets a new casting update, revealing that two actors won’t be returning in the highly anticipated sequel. Based on the hit Broadway play of the same name, which is itself based on a book by Gregory Maguire, the first Wicked hit theaters last November, introducing Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Now, both actors are set to return for the upcoming Wicked: For Good, which will bring back a number of other familiar characters from the Land of Oz.
In a recent interview with ExtraTV, Kristin Chenoweth reveals that audiences should not expect to see either her or Idina Menzel back for cameos in Wicked: For Good. Chenoweth and Menzel, who played Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the original Wicked play, appeared for one musical number in the first film as new characters, but the star says that the sequel is all about the new cast members. Check out her comment below:
“We are not. But Idina and I feel really good about it. It’s their time. We had our moment and we were very honored they included us, but it’s their turn.”
What This Means For Wicked: For Good
Chenoweth & Menzel’s Joint Wicked Cameo Explained
Grande and Erivo take center stage in the cast of the first Wicked, and they are joined by Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode, among others. The brief appearances by Chenoweth and Menzel serve as more of a fun Easter egg rather than an integral part of the story. Glinda and Elphaba encounter the original Wicked actors shortly after they arrive in Emerald City, and they watch in awe as the pair put on a brief stage performance.
Considering Chenoweth and Menzel are both unnamed in the film and credited only as Wiz-O-Mania Super Stars, they were clearly not intended to serve as major characters moving forward. This also tracks with the general direction of the new film, which has adopted a more somber and emotional tone following the intense Wicked ending. As has been revealed in the For Good trailer, the next installment wraps the story up and brings the tale closer to the start of The Wizard of Oz, and there may just not have been room for another appearance from Chenoweth and Menzel.
Our Take On Wicked: For Good Focusing On The New Cast Members
Why It Makes Sense For The Story
The joint cameo from Chenoweth and Menzel was fun in the first Wicked, and it marked an exciting surprise for those familiar with the original play. By definition, an Easter egg like this isn’t essential to the story – it’s more of a bonus. For this reason, it’s probably for the best that the same note not be played a second time. By creating a scenario in which Chenoweth and Menzel show up briefly once more, director Jon M. Chu risks making the moment feel forced, and this could take away from how special their appearance felt in the first film.
DID YOU KNOW: Granda, Erivo, and the rest of the cast were major highlights in Wicked, and these actors are more than capable of carrying the saga forward to its conclusion.
Ultimately, Chenoweth makes a strong point about this story now being in new hands. Grande, Erivo, and the rest of the cast were major highlights in Wicked, and these actors are more than capable of carrying Glinda and Elphaba’s saga forward to its conclusion. While it may be sad to not see Chenoweth and Menzel in Wicked: For Good, this does feel like the best choice.
Source: ExtraTV
