New WICKED Trailer Takes Us Into Elphaba’s Complicated Life and Relationships

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz got turned on its head with Gregory Maguire’s Wicked. The 1995 book put the spotlight on Elphaba and her life, often one full of hardship, until Dorothy kills her. Wicked became a Broadway musical in 2003 and has since become the fourth longest-running Broadway series. And this journey through Oz doesn’t stop with a musical: we’re getting a two-part film adaptation from director Jon M. Chu.

Wicked‘s New Release Date

Wicked was slated to be released on November 27, but it will now release a little earlier on November 22. Meanwhile, Wicked Part Two has also already moved its release date. It was meant to release on November 26, 2025. But Wicked Part Two‘s official release date is now November 21, 2025. This move could be thanks in part to avoiding a battle with Disney’s Zootopia 2, which releases on November 26.

Wicked Part 2. November 21, 2025. pic.twitter.com/U5BOoGiCG6

— Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) September 12, 2024

Watch the Wicked Movie’s Trailer

There’s a fresh trailer for Wicked that really gives us a better look at Elphaba’s life, including a romance and some events leading up to her death.

The Wicked trailer shows off a beautifully cinematic version of Oz and the beginning of Elphaba and Glinda’s fateful and witchy friendship.

Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba and Ariana Grande plays Glinda. They meet as students at Shiz University and become close friends. Elphaba and Glinda could not have more different backgrounds. Those backgrounds definitely put a thorn in the side of the friendship. As Wicked‘s synopsis explains:

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

We’re glad to see the Wicked movie trailer embrace its roots and even tease the movie’s version of the many iconic musical songs. We can’t wait to hear them in full.

You Can Also Check Out the Wicked Trailer in LEGO Form

In case the real version of Wicked‘s movie trailer left you wanting more, you can also check out a LEGO version. Who doesn’t love LEGO Oz?

Wicked Movie Featurette and First-Looks

Wicked is an epic and long story. Is it a story that needs two movies? Only time will tell. Happily, it does seem like the cast and crew of the movie are very passionate about it.

Universal

In addition to Erivo and Grande, the cast for Wicked includes: Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero; Ethan Slater as Boq; Marissa Bode as Nessarose; and Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz. Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, and Keala Settle also star. Most recently we learned that Peter Dinklage would Dr. Dillamond, a goat with the ability to speak. You can see more first-looks from the movie, below.

We really love this Wicked featurette with Chu taking us into building the world of Oz.

Here Are Some New Looks at Wicked‘s Cast

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/puAf9mGV1n

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Ariana Grande as Glinda in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/DLlL7ZMQdC

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/LR4jrw59Lh

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo insisted on singing live when filming #Wicked, says director Jon M. Chu.

“When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘F—k the pre-records. We’re going live.’”

🔗: https://t.co/IJpREEjocR pic.twitter.com/mbo3CcYGqK

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) March 21, 2024

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/0QduNvx3gy

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Wicked arrives in theaters on November 22, 2024. Wicked Part Two will follow on November 26, 2025.

Originally published on February 12, 2024.

Featured Image: Universal

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