How did Elphaba become the Wicked Witch of the West? Audiences embraced the first installment of “Wicked” when it premiered last year. The film’s emotional cliffhanger left friends Elphaba and Glinda parting ways as their paths inched closer to legendary destinies. Luckily, viewers don’t have to wait much longer for a resolution. “Wicked: For Good” is set to deliver a powerful ending to the blockbuster tale.
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‘For Good’ sees the critically acclaimed cast and crew return thanks to a back-to-back shooting schedule. Jon M. Chu once again directs. Chu is no stranger to musicals, helming the cinematic adaptation of “In The Heights.” That project saw one of the show’s creators, Quiara Alegría Hudes, craft the screenplay. He follows that same trajectory with “Wicked” and its second installment. Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox co-wrote the screenplays for both films. Holzman notably wrote the Broadway musical’s book, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel.
An impressive cast helped “Wicked” reach critical and commercial success, with ‘For Good’ promising equally memorable results. Cynthia Erivo portrays the misunderstood Elphaba with power as well as compassion. Ariana Grande equally brings layers of depth to her role as Glinda. Other talented performers appearing in ‘For Good’ include Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode.
The film’s official synopsis:
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard. As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba must come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they must truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, to change themselves and all of Oz for good.
A magical story concludes in “Wicked: For Good.” The Universal Pictures film premieres only in theaters on November 21. Get your first look at the new trailer below.
