Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Tease New ‘Wicked’ Film at CinemaCon

LAS VEGAS, NV — Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo took the stage at CinemaCon 2025 on April 2 to unveil the first footage of their upcoming film, “Wicked: For Good,” which continues the story of the beloved Broadway musical.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film revisits the journey of Glinda (played by Grande) and Elphaba (played by Erivo) as they navigate their complex relationship and face external challenges in a world before and after Dorothy Gale‘s arrival in Oz. The stars presented the sneak peek dressed in complementary black outfits, adding to the excitement among the audience of theater owners.

“This movie takes us past the point where the girl in the blue gingham dress from Kansas drops in,” Chu teased, hinting at a narrative that diverges from the original story while exploring deeper themes of friendship and conflict. The trailer, which has not been publicly released, features Elphaba studying the mystical Grimmerie and Glinda under the influence of the Wizard.

The trailer includes dramatic moments, such as Glinda’s wedding to Fiyero and ominous lines from the characters, including Madame Morrible asserting, “The Wicked Witch can’t ignore us forever.” Audience anticipation builds as Grande warns Erivo’s character, “Elphaba, they’re coming for you.”

The film’s release is set for November 22 and promises to delve into the aftermath of Elphaba’s rise to power and her battles against the Wizard’s authority. As the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba evolves, their emotional connection remains despite the chaos surrounding them. “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had,” Elphaba tells Glinda, who replies, “But you’re the only one that mattered.”

The audience at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace reacted enthusiastically to the footage, recognizing that the first film earned a remarkable $744 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation to date. “Wicked” has also garnered nominations for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with both lead actresses receiving critical acclaim.

In addressing the gathered exhibitors, Grande expressed gratitude for their support over the past year. “It’s been quite a year since we joined you here last time,” she stated, prompting further excitement from the audience. Erivo emphasized the joy of returning for the sequel, noting, “And we get to do it all again.”

Producer Marc Platt remarked on the surge of interest in the Broadway show since the film’s original release, revealing, “You should know, ‘Wicked,’ in its 22nd year on Broadway, is having its best year and highest grosses ever.” Jim Orr, president of domestic distribution for Universal, described the global impact of the film franchise, stating, “I’ve literally never had more people reach out with their emotional reactions to a film.”