Ariana Grande is gearing up to offer a fresh moviegoing experience in her highly anticipated role as Glinda in Wicked: For Good, the second part of the Wicked film series. The 31-year-old singer-actress shared new insights into the upcoming movie during a conversation at the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9.
Grande, who stars alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, discussed the emotional depth of the sequel, teasing fans with a hint of what to expect from the continuation of the Wicked saga. The first film, Wicked: Part One, set the stage for the complex relationship between Glinda and Elphaba, but according to Grande, the second film will dive deeper into their emotional journey.
“Well, it’s very special. It’s very emotional,” Grande said according to People, when asked about the tone of the second movie. “The second movie really embodies unconditional love, forgiveness, and friendship. And you’ll have to wait and see, but it is quite different.”
Grande went on to explain that while Wicked: Part One was centered around choices, Wicked: For Good will focus on the consequences of those decisions. “You get to see people reap the… bear the repercussions for their choices that they make in movie one,” she added. “So if movie one is about choices, movie two is about consequences.”
The sequel will follow the events that transpired at the end of Wicked: Part One, which concluded with the powerful musical number “Defying Gravity.” The climactic scene showed Glinda and Elphaba parting ways, leaving their friendship on a complex and emotional note. As Wicked: For Good unfolds, fans can expect the second part of the two-film series to cover Act 2 of the iconic Broadway musical, deepening the bond between the two witches and highlighting their individual journeys.
Jon M. Chu, the director behind both Wicked films, recently shared his excitement for the upcoming release, saying, “If you love those two women, wait until you see where their relationship goes.” During his acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards on February 7, Chu added that the sequel will explore even greater emotional heights as Glinda and Elphaba continue to navigate the complex world of Oz.
“Wait until you see the heights that they can hit if you felt it in movie one and the places that we can go,” Chu said. “Oz is bigger, it’s more expansive, and in the time that we’re living in, it speaks so directly to the moment and to the courage and the consequences it takes to some of the choices that we have to make and who you choose to become when you know the truth.”
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Grande and Erivo have already garnered significant attention and praise for their performances in the Wicked films. Both stars received nominations for the upcoming SAG Awards and are also in the running for Academy Award nominations. During the Santa Barbara Film Festival event, Grande shared an emotional moment with Erivo, reminiscing about their reactions to their Oscar nominations.
“We were sobbing and sending each other voice notes. She was on the plane, and I was in London,” Grande recalled. “We were both working and we were just sharing our gratitude and texting each other like crazy people like we usually do.”
The Wicked franchise has long captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, with its beloved characters, catchy songs, and thought-provoking themes. As fans await Wicked: For Good, they can expect a film that not only builds on the beloved elements of the first installment but also challenges the characters and the audience to reflect on the consequences of their actions.
Wicked: For Good will hit theaters on November 21, 2025, promising a cinematic experience that is both emotionally charged and filled with the magic that fans have come to expect from the Wicked universe.
