This article contains spoilers for the Broadway musical Wicked, which will impact the plot of Wicked: For Good.Wicked: For Good is among the most anticipated releases coming this fall. The movie is a follow-up to last year’s installment, which became a smash hit upon its release. The film ended up being nominated for ten Oscars, winning for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
The movie will continue the story after the first Wicked film ended with the climactic “Defying Gravity.” Though the film will expand some of the story and music beyond what is in the stage play, it will largely cover the second act of the hit Broadway musical. It will see Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande return to their lead roles, with a supporting cast including Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, and Ethan Slater.
While some argue that the best songs are in the show’s first act, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Wicked: For Good. With a year of separation between the release of the first film, the team has had the time to make some changes and hone their craft even more. Here is what we’re most looking forward to seeing when Wicked: For Good comes out on November 21.
The Fiyero And Glinda Wedding
This Is A Change From The Musical
The Wicked: For Good trailer includes something unexpected: a wedding scene between Glinda and Fiyero. These two start dating in the first Wicked film. As per the stage musical, they are engaged in the second act, which is notably announced by Madame Morrible.
However, live audiences have never seen Fiyero and Glinda actually get married. The wedding scene is clearly shown in the trailer, with Glinda walking down the aisle in a wedding dress. She is filmed with ʙuттerflies floating around her, creating a majestic-looking moment.
This scene will be a good chance for audiences to catch a glimpse of something that was not in the stage show. It will also be interesting to see how Wicked: For Good deals with the consequences of this marriage being formalized, as Fiyero and Glinda do not end up together in the original story.
More Flying Monkeys
They Were Already Great In The First Film
The Flying Monkeys play a significant role in the second act of the musical. On stage, it becomes Elphaba’s mission to free the Flying Monkeys, who are trapped in cages.
The movie has taken a bit of a different approach to these Simian characters, portraying them as an army serving the Wizard. However, this expanded scope just makes their upcoming appearance in Wicked: For Good even more exciting. Elphaba will have to go on an even more significant journey to understand them.
The Flying Monkeys were also one of the best parts of the first movie’s visual effects. As such, it will be interesting to see how the second movie brings them in.
The Animals Joining Elphaba’s Rebellion
The Movie Offers More Capabilities For Them
While some felt they took up too much screen time in the first movie, the animals play a critical role in shaping Wicked‘s themes. As per the trailer, it seems that the animals storm the Emerald City. This means that they will join Elphaba in her fight to take down the Wizard.
This is not something that the stage musical could take on, as it would have been far more difficult to show on stage. This is one of the benefits of making a feature film, as CGI and other tools leave more technical possibilities and thus greater space for action scenes like this one.
An Expanded Role For Dorothy
She Is Emphasized In The Trailer
One of the most notable changes from the musical is the apparent expanded scope for Dorothy. The Wicked: For Good trailer shows the character more than once, including the crew of people she travels with. This proves that she will be a much more significant character than she was in the original show, which just shows her in shadow.
There is already an actor rumored to play Dorothy. This is Matilda and Abigail actor Alisha Weir. This has increased the hype for Dorothy’s appearance, making her role exciting.
Fiyero’s Transition To The Scarecrow
Could It Happen On Screen?
In the musical, Fiyero ends up becoming the Scarecrow, a critical character in the original The Wizard of Oz. The trailer pointed towards this evolution, showing an image of Dorothy and her gang and then immediately cutting to Fiyero. The character also has a similar outfit to the Scarecrow.
In the stage version of the show, Fiyero’s metamorphosis is not explicitly shown. As in the case of the Flying Monkeys, the tools of cinema allow for greater opportunity for the character to have a radical transformation. With Dorothy expanding her role, it is also possible that the Scarecrow transition will happen sooner rather than later.
A Show-Stopping “No Good Deed” Performance From Cynthia Erivo
This Is Act 2’s Big Elphaba Number
“No Good Deed” is Act Two’s answer to “Defying Gravity.” It is her big power ballad that showed off the vocals of the original Broadway cast member Idina Menzel, and it will surely do the same for Erivo.
Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” rendition was one of the best parts of Wicked. As such, the actor’s interpretation of “No Good Deed” is incredibly exciting, and made more so by the tease offered in the trailer.
Wicked For: Good’s New Elphaba And Glinda Songs
The First Film Did Not Have Original Songs
Director Jon M. Chu has confirmed that Wicked: For Good will include two original songs. These will be solos by Glinda and Elphaba. The first film stuck to adapting songs from the original musical, making this an especially enticing element of the second film.
Erivo and Grande-Butera performed several Wicked songs to open the 97th Academy Awards.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Chu mentioned that these pieces were “necessary in this movie to help tell the story.” As such, it will be interesting to see what kind of story expansions are coupled with the new pieces.
More Scenes With Elphaba And Glinda Together
They Are Mostly Separated In The Stage Show
Elphaba and Glinda are fighting for opposite teams in Wicked: For Good. This creates tensions in the relationship between the two main characters. The Wicked: For Good trailer suggests, however, that Glinda and Elphaba might share more screen time in the film than the stage show would suggest.
Erivo and Grande have so much chemistry together on screen, so it makes sense that the movie would want to pair them up more often.
The evolution of their dynamic is easily the most anticipated part of the second movie. Erivo and Grande have so much chemistry together on screen, so it makes sense that the movie would want to pair them up more often.
Better Lighting And Color That Wicked: Part One
This Will Vastly Improve The Movie
The trailer and first images for this musical sequel already seem to look better visually than the first film. Though it had jaw-dropping Production Design, among other visual elements, the color grading and lighting were a major flaw in Wicked last year. Overexposure left moments feeling overly flushed out and drab.
Luckily, this is something that could fairly easily be fixed for the second movie. The Wicked: For Good trailer shows that some of these fixes have already been made. The scenes look a lot more vibrant and well-lite than the first movie saw. If it can strengthen this element, this sequel could surpᴀss the first film in quality.
An Emotional Rendition Of The тιтular Song “For Good”
This Could Be The Showstopping Number
There is a reason that Wicked 2 chose the subтιтle that it did, and that is because of the strength of Act Two’s song “For Good.” There are a lot of great duets in the musical, but Elphaba and Glinda’s “For Good” is by far the most emotionally resonant.
If two people have what it takes to deliver that impact, it’s Grande and Erivo. The trailer heavily emphasized segments of this song, and included a line about their friendship that has already had audiences getting emotional. This song is sure to be one of the best moments in Wicked: For Good, and is a main source of excitement for the film.