‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer Wows CinemaCon, From Cynthia Erivo Belting ‘No Good Deed’ to Dorothy’s Arrival in Oz

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Just as a seed is carried by a bird, the stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, alongside director Jon M. Chu, seemingly floated back to Las Vegas in a manner reminiscent of bubbles, attending CinemaCon – an annual gathering for cinema theater proprietors.

The Oscar-honored pair, both clad in black ensembles, unveiled for the first time the premiere glimpse of “Wicked: For Good,” a production that delves into the later acts of the enduring Broadway hit. Instead of singing as their iconic characters, Glinda and Elphaba (portrayed by Grande and Erivo respectively), they shared renditions of popular second act songs, “For Good” and “No Good Deed.

The musical “Wicked,” set before, during, and after the events depicted in “The Wizard of Oz,” tells the backstory of Glinda, played by Grande, who later becomes Glinda the Good, and Elphaba, portrayed by Erivo, who is eventually known as the Wicked Witch of the West. In the first part, we see how Glinda and Elphaba meet at Shiz University, where they are assigned to share a room and ultimately become friends. The song “For Good” takes place after Elphaba has mastered her powers and has been branded an enemy by the Wizard (Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Yeoh). “Wicked 2” is set to premiere in theaters on November 22.

It’s been a full year since our last meeting, and we appreciate your kindness and encouragement immensely,” Grande addressed the gathering of exhibitors. Erivo chimed in, “And we get the chance to experience it all over again.

Chu playfully hints that this film goes beyond where Dorothy Gale, the girl wearing a blue checkered dress from Kansas, arrives.

The proprietors of movie theaters located within Caesars Palace’s Colosseum, where the trade show takes place, were ecstatic upon getting an exclusive sneak peek at “Wicked: For Good.” This initial film raked in a staggering $744 million worldwide, earning it the title of the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation ever made. Not only does this musical adaptation promise financial success at the box office, but it has also garnered 10 Academy Award nominations, among which are best picture, best actress for Erivo, and best supporting actress for Grande.

The producer of “Wicked,” Marc Platt, mentioned that the success of the movie adaptation has sparked a surge in interest for the stage production. He added that “Wicked,” currently in its 22nd year on Broadway, is experiencing its most successful year and highest box office earnings yet.

Jim Orr, Universal’s head of domestic distribution, shared that it’s truly astonishing to witness ‘Wicked’ transform into a global cultural sensation. He expressed that he’s never experienced such an influx of heartfelt responses from people regarding a movie.

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2025-04-03 03:47