Colman Domingo stormed the red carpet, exuding an air of sophistication that was the epitome of elegance at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good on November 17. Channeling his character as the Cowardly Lion, he posed in a Dolce & Gabbana ensemble that consisted of a brown fur coat, simple tan dress pants, and a low-cut v-neck shirt. The 55-year-old completed the look with a pair of shiny dress shoes and gold jewelry, making a fashionable statement that director Jon M. Chu had envisioned when he jokingly referred to it as "the Met Gala" with Entertainment Tonight in October.
But it wasn't just Colman's style that caught Jon's eye; he felt that Colman truly embodied the spirit of the character, first seen in the first Wicked film as a young cub saved from a life of silence by Elphaba and Fiyero. In Wicked: For Good, the Cowardly Lion blames the Wicked Witch for his unfortunate circumstances. "I just thought he has the presence of a cowardly lion," Jon explained to ET. "He has the vulnerability of a cowardly lion. I thought he would have fun with it. He was at the top of my list."
The director's direct message to Colman, which stunned the Running Man star, led to a swift process that the actor was grateful for. "Here's the lesson: When someone named Jon M. Chu slides into your DMs," he shared on CBS Mornings in November, "respond to it."
According to Colman, the process went quickly after that first DM, and he wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm glad to be joining at this late date something like Wicked," he added. "It's really cool; it's one of my favorite musicals." Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.
