Like a celestial seed scattered by an aerial avian, the stars of "Wicked," Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, along with director Jon M. Chu, descended upon Las Vegas for CinemaCon, the annual gathering of cinema proprietors, presumably encapsulated in a bubble of excitement. Adorned in striking, head-turning all-black ensembles, this Oscar-nominated duo unveiled an unprecedented glimpse into "Wicked: For Good," a chronicle of the second act of the enduring Broadway sensation.
Though Grande and Erivo did not serenade live as their iconic characters—the cheerful, pink-adoring Glinda and the emerald-hued Elphaba—the audience was treated to their soaring renditions of second-act favorites such as "For Good" and "No Good Deed."
Set against the backdrop of events both preceding, encompassing, and succeeding "The Wizard of Oz," this musical unravels the origin tale of Grande's Glinda (later known as Glinda the Good) and Erivo's Elphaba (eventually named the Wicked Witch of the West), before Dorothy alighted in Oz and embarked on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road. In "Part One," Glinda and Elphaba converge at Shiz University, where fate decrees them roommates and ultimately, lifelong confidants.
"For Good" resumes as Elphaba attains mastery over her powers and is branded an adversary of the realm by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). "Wicked 2" soars into theaters on November 22.
"This motion picture transcends the moment when the girl in the blue gingham dress from Kansas arrives," Chu teases, alluding to the inimitable Dorothy Gale.
The dazzling, yet undisclosed trailer captures Elphaba poring over the sacred Grimmerie, while Glinda adjusts her crown under the patronage of the Wizard and Madame Morrible. "The Wicked Witch cannot ignore us indefinitely," Morrible growls ominously. Earlier in the footage, Grande warns her companion, "Elphaba, they're after you."
The trailer also offers fleeting glimpses of Glinda and Fiyero's splashy nuptials, the terrifying flying monkeys, and the iconic scene of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion's arrival in Oz, presenting themselves before the majestic wizard.
Despite external forces threatening to tear them apart as the witches confront the ramifications of their choices, the trailer reveals that nothing can sever the bond between these enemies-turned-friends-turned-enemies once more. "You're the only friend I've ever had," Elphaba confesses to Glinda. "And I've had numerous friends," Glinda replies, "but you're the only one who mattered."
The CinemaCon audience in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where the trade show was held, was enraptured by the sneak peek of "Wicked: For Good." After all, the first film amassed $744 million worldwide, standing as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in history. Beyond box office triumphs, the musical adaptation garnered 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Grande.
"It's been quite a year since our last visit, and we can't express enough gratitude for your unwavering support," Grande addressed the room filled with exhibitors. Erivo added, "And here we are, doing it all over again."
"Wicked" producer Marc Platt revealed that the movie adaptation's popularity has actually rejuvenated interest in the stage show. "Be informed that in its 22nd year on Broadway, 'Wicked' is enjoying its most successful year and highest grosses ever," he stated.
Jim Orr, Universal's president of domestic distribution, told the audience that witnessing "Wicked" evolve into a global theatrical phenomenon has been "overwhelming." "I've literally never encountered such an outpouring of emotional reactions to a film," he concluded.
