In a significant departure from the original stage production, Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu has revealed his decision to alter the beloved song 'Wonderful' to include Glinda in the upcoming film sequel.
Reimagining a Classic Song
While the first Wicked film adaptation remained largely faithful to the musical's first act, the sequel promises several creative alterations. The latest confirmation comes directly from director Jon M. Chu, who explained his reasoning for transforming 'Wonderful' from a duet between The Wizard and Elphaba into a trio featuring Glinda.
Speaking to Deadline about the changes in Wicked: For Good, Chu stated: "I felt like I wanted it to work even more and I knew we had the opportunity. Also, I knew the girls better. Once I understood how we were going to feel about these characters, then I knew what was missing emotionally for me."
The Emotional Reasoning Behind the Change
Chu's decision stems from his desire to explore Elphaba's emotional journey more deeply after her choice to leave the Wizard and Oz. The director questioned the character's motivation to return to see the Wizard again in the original narrative.
"I want to see what Elphaba, now that she's made her choice to leave the wizard and Oz, how is her life when she's made this choice?" Chu elaborated. "How lonely can that be? What are the questions she asked herself when she thinks maybe she made a mistake, what would drive her back to the wizard?"
This line of thinking led to his breakthrough moment: "That's never made sense to me, actually. Try to make sense of that. Oh, it would be Glinda. We should add Glinda into that scene because Glinda would be the only one who can speak to her, convince her."
What This Means for the Film
The alteration means that Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), and Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard) will now share the musical number, creating a dynamic trio instead of the original duet. This change represents one of several confirmed differences from the stage version, including new solo songs for both Elphaba and Glinda and edited scenes involving Nessarose.
Chu's approach demonstrates his commitment to adapting the material for the cinematic medium while maintaining the emotional core that has made Wicked a global phenomenon. The film, scheduled for release on 12 November 2025, promises to deliver both familiarity and fresh perspectives for dedicated fans and newcomers alike.
