One More “Wicked” Trailer
More than two decades after Wicked first defied expectations on Broadway, the movie adaptation is now preparing for its second act’s cinematic debut. This week, Universal dropped the final, official trailer of Wicked: For Good, and fans across the globe were captivated and concerned. Director Jon M. Chu’s film promises to open Oz’s emerald gates to an even wider audience—without concern for expensive plane tickets or pricey theater seats—while stirring conversations about the borders between teasers and spoilers. One of the greatest teasers comes from the brief and beautifully haunting rendition of Erivo’s Elphaba singing “No Good Deed.” Others were concerned that new fans might have had some of the second act spoiled for them by a particular shot of the Tin Man and the relevant actor’s subsequent Instagram post of them in their costume. We will examine these concerns in the coming article, but one thing is for sure: audiences are still excited by and protective of this decades-old show (for good reason).
Trailer Highlights and Breakdown
The latest trailer sets an ambitious tone as it seeks to follow the stage production’s second act. With shots of the Emerald City showing us just how far the city has fallen into chaos and disorder after Elphaba’s defiant number, Madame Morrible’s shadowed attempts to sell Glinda the Good as a light in the dark, and animals now fleeing the place that was once their haven, Oz is torn. People are scared. And the Wizard is attempting to tighten his grip on power. The Wizard left us, after the last movie, thinking about how people need a common enemy, and the second act shows us just how readily everyone unites against this Wicked Witch of the West. At this same time, we see shots of Glinda being recruited as the new “hero” of Oz, the role the Wizard wanted Elphaba to fill for him. Despite how much Glinda once wished to have this, she now grapples with this balance of popularity and newfound conscience. Shots into each of our favorite characters’ happenings in the aftermath of part one are layered with emotional dialogue. One moment stands out above all. In one of their many encounters, Elphaba invites Glinda to look at her, not with her eyes, “with theirs” (1:55, Wicked: For Good | Final Trailer). This moment resonates as one of the more impactful lines, hitting at what the heart of this piece is about, the familiar “Us versus Them” mentality. The eyes Elphaba refers to are, of course, the rest of Oz. Glinda might know Elphaba, but the rest of Oz only sees what those in power sell to them. When all is said and done, the first movie and upcoming finale serve as a reminder of how easy it is to villainize the “other.”
Songs That Resonate
Speaking of emotional appeal, fans immediately recognized the tense number of “No Good Deed”. Cynthia Erivo sings as powerfully as ever as visuals of her racing in the sky, lighting a magical fire, and reading from the Grimmerie unfold. Audiences are also given an intimate glimpse of the movie’s titular track, “For Good,” as shots of Glinda and Elphaba underscore the sentimental piece. Whether you are a longtime fan of the story or a new fan excited for the finale, there is a broad consensus that the voices of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are strong, enticing, and emotional. Knowing how well their performances resonated after the first part was released last year, I am as excited as ever to see the uniqueness they bring to each number and how they honor its legacy. It offers just enough richness to get the hype around the movie’s release building while still keeping us on our toes about how they might leave their own mark on the iconic narrative and characters of Wicked.
Spoiler Debate
Yet the richness of this preview has also sparked equal amounts of concern. Devoted theatergoers and novel enjoyers already know the plot. So what remains exciting is not seeing everything unfold live, but watching how they choose to reveal narrative points in the medium of film; this leads us to the potential spoilers. Longtime fans (as well as many new ones) have expressed that the trailer may spoil key revelations that are exciting to watch happen in real time. Before I go on, I want to add a spoiler warning just in case you have not seen anything online or have not seen Wicked live. Skip ahead if you do not wish to know.
**SPOILERS**
As briefly mentioned before, the most contentious point of this trailer is a fleeting shot of the aftermath of the Tin Man’s tragic transformation. While the trailer itself may not spoil more than it wants, the actor of said Tin Man (Ethan Slater) posted himself in the full costume, confirming it was him, or Boq, that ends up becoming the heartless metal man. The debate of whether this is a spoiler or not continues, with many believing that the show’s 20+ year run on Broadway hardly makes it one, while others disagree and think it still is . They argue that more people have not had the chance to see the show on Broadway or during the traveling performances, and thus should not be blamed for having this plot point spoiled for them. As someone who had not yet seen the stage show, I did not know that some of these characters would become the iconic Wizard of Oz figures until TikTok had spoiled it shortly after Wicked. Although I was not disappointed to have this spoiled. On the contrary, it made me watch the first part with so much more appreciation of its storytelling and musical numbers. They can so delicately dance around these truths without fully unveiling who each person represents. Rather, they subtly hint at the truths that make any theater fan or enjoyer of subtexts appreciate them in the moment (or in hindsight).
Grab Your Brooms!
Whatever one’s stance on the spoiler question, the trailer leaves little doubt that Wicked: For Good is poised to become one of the year’s marquee cinematic events. The combination of the iconic Broadway songs with the masterful touch of cinematography and immaculate casting of Elphaba and Glinda spells for a movie that not only honors the original but makes its own mark in the industry. For longtime admirers and newcomers alike, the magic of Oz is ready to sweep audiences away in less than two months. On November 21, 2025, Wicked: For Good will release for audiences worldwide, and I, for one, am ecstatic to see it in theaters.
Pages and Pixels will continue to follow every development—whether it’s interviews, trailers, or other updates—as the second act prepares to draw its curtains. Stay tuned for more coverage across movies, books, television, and games, as I bring you news on stories that dare to defy gravity.
