The much‑anticipated second installment of the cinematic adaptation of the musical Wicked is fast approaching, and the cast and creators are finally pulling back the curtain. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good premieres on November 21. Leading the charge are Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, reprising their roles as Elphaba and Glinda respectively.
In tandem with the release, Vanity Fair has partnered with Universal Pictures to produce an eight‑episode series called Wicked: The Official Podcast. The podcast offers an immersive look at the making of the films—with in‑depth conversations featuring Erivo, Grande, Chu and other members of the cast and creative team.
Erivo reflects on the long arc of her character, noting that the time between the first film and now represents a powerful passage for Elphaba. Grande speaks to the excitement of no longer keeping the story under wraps, saying that holding secrets for so long has made the moment of release all the more special.
The pair also reveal their mind‑sets while inhabiting their characters. Erivo employed sense memory through fragrance cues—Elphaba’s scent evolves as her journey evolves. Grande charted Glinda’s emotional evolution with a detailed color‑coded tab system, tracking insecurities, childhood wounds and scene‑by‑scene shifts.
The first film—released in late 2024—garnered 10 Oscar nominations and achieved the title of highest‑grossing Broadway musical adaptation to date. While the upcoming second film signals an ending of sorts for the “yellow brick road,” both stars say the story’s impact will linger long after the credits roll.
With the podcast acting as a companion piece to the film, audiences are invited to glimpse the creativity, craft and camaraderie behind this ambitious franchise.
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