Elphaba and Glinda share an emotional moment in Wicked: For Good, symbolizing the evolution of their friendship. — Universal

Film News

Behind the Scenes of Wicked: For Good — How Elphaba and Glinda’s Friendship Evolved and Endured

October 16, 2025 3 Min Read

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Universal is keeping fans fed with content while we count down the days to Wicked: For Good. The year may have flown by, but not for those of us still waiting for the second installment — and preparing our hearts to shatter all over again. Last year’s global cinematic phenomenon — the most successful Broadway musical adaptation in history — now reaches its epic, electrifying, and deeply emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good.

Once again directed by award-winning filmmaker Jon M. Chu, the film reunites its spectacular cast led by Academy Award®–nominated powerhouses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This final chapter in the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged, each grappling with the consequences of the choices that set them on very different paths.

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo)—now vilified as the Wicked Witch of the West—lives in exile deep within the forests of Oz. Still determined to fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals, she struggles to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).

Wicked: For Good is a musical event directed by Jon M. Chu, featuring an all-star cast that includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode, with Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum. The film’s screenplay, written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, is based on the beloved stage musicalwith music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, adapted from the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. Produced by Marc Platt, p.g.a., and David Stone, with Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman, and Dana Fox serving as executive producers, Wicked: For Good brings the world of Oz to life in a breathtaking cinematic finale.

Meanwhile, Glinda (Ariana Grande) has become the radiant public face of Goodness across Oz. Residing in the Emerald City palace, she basks in fame and adoration while serving, under Madame Morrible’s (Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh) guidance, as the Wizard’s cheerful reassurance to the people of Oz.

As Glinda’s stardom rises and she prepares for a grand Ozian wedding to Prince Fiyero (Olivier Award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey), memories of Elphaba continue to haunt her. Her attempt to reconcile with her former friend and the Wizard only deepens the divide—setting off events that will forever change Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero, and put Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) in grave danger when an unexpected visitor from Kansas crashes into their world.

As tensions ignite and an angry mob closes in on the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba must face each other one last time. Their powerful bond—tested by truth, loss, and love—will determine not only their fates but the future of all Oz… for good.

Wicked: For Good also features Emmy nominee Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Glinda’s devoted aides, Pfannee and ShenShen, and BAFTA and Grammy nominee Sharon D. Clarke (Caroline, or Change) as the voice of Elphaba’s childhood caretaker, Dulcibear.

The film is produced by returning Tony and Emmy Award–winning powerhouse Marc Platt, p.g.a., and multiple Tony winner David Stone. Executive producers include Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman,and Dana Fox.

The first film, Wicked (2024), earned 10 Academy Award® nominations including Best Picture and won Oscars® for Costume Design and Production Design, grossing over $750 million worldwide.

Wicked: For Good is based on the generation-defining stage musical with music and lyrics by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winner Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, adapted from the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. The screenplay is by Winnie Holzman and Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox, with a score by John Powell & Stephen Schwartz and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.