Wicked: For Good Press Tour has Wrapped

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have wrapped up their press tour for Wicked: For Good, which hit theaters nationwide on November 21, some theaters offered early showings and double features with the first Wicked film.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the ‘Wicked: For Good’ European Premiere (Photo: Getty Images)

The sequel continued the story of Elphaba and Glinda as they work to repair their friendship and save Oz. Cinematographer Alice Brooks noted that the second film has a darker, more mature visual tone than the first. Both films are based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked, itself inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Returning cast members include Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode, with Colman Domingo joining as the voice of the Cowardly Lion.

The press tour was marked by a security incident in Singapore, where a man jumped a barrier and grabbed Grande before being quickly restrained; he was later sentenced to nine days in jail. Erivo referenced the stressful week during a later screening. At the New York premiere, both actresses skipped interviews due to Erivo losing her voice, with Grande standing in solidarity. Director Jon M. Chu and cinematographer Alice Brooks reflected on the emotional impact of the films, emphasizing the joy of seeing fans embrace the world of Oz and the personal meaning the story holds for children and families who identify with the characters.

Also in other news, Wicked: For Good dominated the weekend box office, debuting at number 1 with $150 million domestically and $226 million worldwide. Its opening exceeded that of the first Wicked film, which earned $114 million domestically during the same pre-Thanksgiving weekend last year. The sequel also set a new record for the biggest opening of a fantasy-adventure sequel; a category that typically averages only $46 million.