Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande Secure Oscar Categories for ‘Wicked: For Good’

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are returning to their roles in the upcoming sequel, “Wicked: For Good.” This musical fantasy film from Universal Pictures follows the story of “Wicked,” which debuted in theaters in 2024. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie continues the narrative that began with the beloved 2003 Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Oscar Aspirations

Erivo will reprise her role as Elphaba, while Grande will return as Glinda. Both actresses are expected to campaign for nominations in the lead and supporting actress categories, respectively. If nominated, they will join a select group of performers recognized twice for the same role at the Oscars.

Historic Oscar Nominee List

Historically, only six other actors have achieved this milestone. Some notable examples include:

• Bing Crosby—Best Actor for “Going My Way” (1944) and a nomination for its sequel.
• Peter O’Toole—Nominated for “Becket” (1964) and “The Lion in Winter” (1968).
• Al Pacino—Nominations for “The Godfather” (1972) and lead nod for “The Godfather Part II” (1974).
• Paul Newman—Won for “The Color of Money” (1986), 25 years after “The Hustler.”
• Cate Blanchett—Nominations for “Elizabeth” (1998) and “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007).
• Sylvester Stallone—Recognized for “Rocky” (1976) and “Creed” (2015).

Returning Cast and Musical Highlights

The ensemble of “Wicked: For Good” also features Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, all reprising their roles from the first film. With the exception of Erivo, the entire cast will compete in supporting categories.

The film promises to deliver a combination of cherished songs from the original musical alongside new compositions. Notably, Erivo’s Elphaba will perform “No Place Like Home,” while Grande’s Glinda will sing “The Girl in the Bubble.” Both tracks are written by Schwartz, who collaborates with John Powell on the film’s score.

Previous Acclaim and Release Details

The first installment of “Wicked” was a significant success during the awards season, securing ten Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Grande. The film won awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

“Wicked: For Good” is set to be released in theaters on November 21, furthering the legacy of this iconic story.