First Look at ‘Wicked: For Good’ Wows CinemaCon with Magic, Music, and Flying Monkeys

The magical world of Oz returned to the big screen in a big way at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande gave fans and theater owners the first sneak peek at Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s hit musical film Wicked.

The new movie continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda, the two witches whose friendship and struggles are at the heart of the Wicked tale. This time, Elphaba is on the run, labeled a criminal by the Wizard, while Glinda is caught in the middle, unsure of where her loyalties lie.

The trailer showed Elphaba mastering her powers from the magical book known as the Grimmerie. She’s now a fugitive, while the Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) tighten their grip on Oz. “Elphaba, they’re coming for you,” Glinda warns in a tense moment.

Jonathan Bailey’s Prince Fiyero is seen leading soldiers on a search for Elphaba. At the same time, posters and slogans show that both sides are spreading their own messages — including a striking image of clouds spelling out “Our Wizard lies.”

In one of the trailer’s big reveals, Glinda and Fiyero’s wedding is shown in a grand scene. There’s also a hint that Fiyero may eventually turn against the Wizard to help Elphaba. Another surprise comes with a glimpse of an animal rebellion, suggesting that all of Oz is about to change.

Classic characters from The Wizard of Oz finally make an appearance. The trailer briefly shows Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion stepping into the story and arriving in Oz.

One emotional moment in the trailer shows Elphaba telling Glinda, “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had.” Glinda responds, “And I’ve had so many friends. But you’re the only one that mattered.”

The trailer also includes performances of fan-favorite songs “For Good” and “No Good Deed,” sung by Grande and Erivo. However, the trailer didn’t include the two brand-new songs written for the sequel by original Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz.

Flying monkeys, dramatic showdowns, and beautiful visuals filled the trailer, which hasn’t yet been released to the public. But those in the room at CinemaCon went wild for it, cheering loudly once the footage ended.

Director Jon M. Chu, producer Marc Platt, and stars Erivo and Grande introduced the footage on stage. They thanked theater owners for their support and shared their excitement about continuing the story.

Fans can expect Wicked: For Good to arrive in theaters on November 22, bringing the second part of the Wicked story to life with more magic, music, and unforgettable moments.

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