Jon M. Chu reveals hidden Cowardly Lion cameo in Wicked: For Good

Jon M. Chu teases new songs for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and a surprise Cowardly Lion cameo in Wicked: For Good

Director Jon M. Chu is opening up about Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to Wicked, revealing new songs, emotional depth, and even a surprise cameo from a major actor voicing the Cowardly Lion.

The film, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, will hit theaters on November 21, 2025, via Universal Pictures.

Chu told Deadline that he and composer Steven Schwartz crafted two new songs — No Place Like Home and Girl in the Bubble — to expand Glinda and Elphaba’s journeys. “I wanted to show Glinda’s struggle and Elphaba’s loneliness after leaving Oz,” Chu explained. The filmmaker also confirmed that For Good, one of the stage show’s most beloved numbers, was reworked with new dialogue to deepen its emotional impact.

The director described Wicked: For Good as “part musical, part monster movie,” highlighting Elphaba’s transformation into a misunderstood hero. “She’s a superhero in her own right,” Chu said, adding that the sequel explores identity, courage, and moral complexity more than the first installment.

Chu revealed that production challenges included balancing color tones for HDR and IMAX versions — especially perfecting Elphaba’s green hue and the iconic yellow brick road. “It can’t be the honey brick road; it has to be yellow,” he joked.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is a secret A-list actor voicing the Cowardly Lion. Chu teased, “Wait until the red carpet — it’ll be wild.”

Following Wicked’s two Oscar wins, expectations are high. Critics who’ve seen early screenings call the sequel “gloriously good” and even compare it to The Godfather: Part II — a rare case where a follow-up outshines the original.