Spellbound and Split in Two: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Tease the Next Chapter of Wicked

The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace became more than a showroom for Hollywood’s next blockbusters—it became a portal. As the lights dimmed and the first glimpses of Wicked: For Good unfurled onscreen, it was clear that this was not just a sequel, but a reawakening. And standing center stage in this theatrical spectacle? Two witches who refuse to be forgotten.

Ariana Grande, luminous and playful as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo, fierce and soulful as Elphaba, didn’t merely introduce a trailer—they conjured emotion. Fans and exhibitors alike were swept away by visions of flying monkeys, glinting wedding scenes, and a mysterious arrival hinted only by ruby slippers and a silhouette. Yet what truly gripped the crowd was not spectacle, but sentiment.

“You cried — don’t lie,” Erivo quipped, the kind of line that draws laughter but lingers with truth.

The Power of Two

Producer Marc Platt confirmed what fans suspected all along: the Wicked saga couldn’t be contained in a single act. Splitting the story into two films, he explained, allows for a richer exploration of the bond—and the breaking point—between Elphaba and Glinda. The witches are no longer just symbols of good and wicked. They are women with choices, consequences, and deep complexity.

The chemistry between Grande and Erivo, both onstage and onscreen, pulses like a heartbeat throughout the footage. In one striking moment, Glinda warns, “Elphaba, they’re coming for you.” It’s a chilling line that echoes far beyond Oz, suggesting themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of rebellion.

And then, the tease that sent the room abuzz: “This is where the girl from Kansas drops in,” director Chu said with a knowing smile, adding another layer to a story already brimming with magic and mayhem.

A World Divided by a Cliff

A new poster, glimpsed earlier at the event, frames the essence of the sequel with haunting clarity. Elphaba and Glinda—friends, rivals, kindred forces—stand atop opposing cliffs, the yellow brick road winding between them like a golden scar. It’s not just a geographical divide; it’s emotional terrain carved by destiny.

The film, set for release on November 21, 2025, follows its predecessor, which soared to nearly $750 million at the global box office. But numbers aside, Wicked: For Good is poised to strike a different chord—one of introspection and evolution.

Chu promises “depth,” “complexity,” and “profundity.” But will this second act dare to defy more than just gravity?

What Comes After Happily Ever After?

As anticipation builds, so do the questions. Will Dorothy’s arrival shift the balance of power—or reveal new truths about the witches we thought we knew? What is the cost of choosing your path when fate demands another? And most pressingly: Can two legends who once defied the odds now defy each other?

Somewhere over the rainbow, answers await. But for now, Wicked: For Good leaves us delightfully undone.