Wicked Sequel’s ‘For Good’ Song Promises to Outshine ‘Defying Gravity’

As a devoted fan, I’ve eagerly anticipated the big-screen adaptation of the beloved Broadway hit musical, sharing its name, for nearly a decade. The production team has been meticulously refining and expanding the characters, making the wait all the more exciting. Now, with “Wicked: For Good” set to conclude the captivating story this coming November, I can hardly contain my excitement!

The Wicked musical’s adaptation features Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, and the initial segment concluded powerfully in sync with Act 1, culminating with “Defying Gravity“. Given the musical’s widespread fanbase, both performers delivered impressive renditions, but Erivo truly surpassed expectations with her rendition of this cherished melody, harmonizing well with Grande. In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, Wicked cast member Bowen Yang hinted that the sequel will match “Defying Gravity” in terms of impact with its own rendition of “For Good”.

In “Defying Gravity,” Elphaba comes to understand the true nature of the Wizard of Oz, and as she progresses, she embraces her powers that ultimately transform her into the “Wicked Witch of the West” in the first act. On the other hand, “For Good” serves as a heartfelt goodbye, underscoring just how significantly their friendship has evolved throughout their journey.

Yang, who portrayed Pfannee – a student at Shiz University and Glinda’s minion, hinted that “Wicked: For Good” would surpass anticipations, particularly with its well-known tune. Just as everyone thought “Defying Gravity” would be a spectacular highlight, yet wondering how it could possibly exceed those expectations – and then it did – I believe the song ‘For Good‘ will face similar circumstances.

You’ll anticipate it and when it occurs, you’ll find yourself exclaiming, ‘I never thought I’d see this!’ It will surpass even the incredible anticipations we had.”

“It’s going to be so astonishing that when you witness it, you’ll say, ‘I can’t believe my eyes.’ It will shatter the already high expectations we held.

In a musical retelling, this production functions as a precursor to “The Wizard of Oz” and is inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 book “Wicked.” It delves into the backstories of the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch, showcasing their unusual friendship that blossoms despite their contrasting natures. The initial segment presents these characters and unveils their journey towards friendship.

Yang described the first press tour as incredibly large. The experience yielded numerous fantastic moments that we can’t help but share. We don’t intend to boast or exaggerate our success. Instead, it’s simply exhilarating to see such grand productions making a mark on campaigns, as it adds an extra layer of excitement.

Wicked: For Good Comes With a Lot of Pressure

The Broadway musical “Wicked” is widely recognized and cherished as one of the greatest stage musicals ever made, boasting a dedicated fanbase. When theater enthusiasts attended the adaptation, they were captivated, but it was Jon M. Chu’s film that drew in a larger number of non-fans to the cinemas, becoming extremely popular. Wicked: Part One concluded its run with an impressive earnings of $743.7 million against a production budget of $145 million (according to data). Critics also praised it highly.

This new musical made a splashy start with thrilling melodies that have remained unaltered since its first performance. It’s earned an impressive endorsement from both critics (87%) and audiences (95%), and has been honored with the prestigious Rotten Tomatoes badges, Certified Fresh and Verified Hot. The movie didn’t stop there; it garnered no less than 10 Oscar nominations and took home two of them.

You can now stream “Wicked: Part One” on Peacock. Meanwhile, catch “Wicked: For Good ” in theaters starting November 21st.

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2025-04-19 19:55