Title Change Sparks Discussion

The official title for “Wicked: Part Two,” now known as “Wicked: For Good,” received a mixed response online upon its announcement in December. However, director Jon M. Chu believes the new title is a significant improvement.

Director’s Perspective

“Who wants a movie called ‘Wicked: Part Two’?” Chu remarked to Variety during the National Board of Review Awards gala in New York City. “The script always referred to it as ‘For Good,’ and we questioned whether we really wanted to label it ‘Part Two.’ Nobody wants that.”

Meaning Behind the Title

The title references a key song from the acclaimed Broadway musical, where Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo in the film) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) reflect on how their relationship has shaped their lives. Chu emphasized that “For Good” was always the intended direction for the film. “That’s the destination. ‘For Good’ signifies where we’re headed with this movie,” he explained.

Acknowledgment at the Awards

At the National Board of Review Awards gala, Chu accepted the best director award, while the “Wicked” team, including stars Erivo, Grande, Michelle Yeoh, and Ethan Slater, along with producers Marc Platt and David Nicksay, received the best film award. Ryan Reynolds presented the top honor to the “Wicked” team.

Reynolds on the Power of Music

Reynolds humorously noted, “’Wicked’ is a musical, and they’ve been very open about that,” referencing the trend of downplaying musicals in marketing. He added, “Music is a universal language, and this beautiful film represents a beacon of togetherness, providing a rare shared experience in today’s world.”

Spotlight on Collaboration

The National Board of Review also honored Erivo and Grande for their creative collaboration. Grande shared insights on true collaboration, emphasizing honesty, trust, and respect in their partnership.

Reflections on Friendship

The duo reflected on their friendship and artistic synergy. “It’s about knowing when one of us needs support and when the other needs space,” Erivo noted. Grande humorously added, “It is being so good at acting that no one ever finds out how much we actually loathe each other,” to which Erivo replied, “We fooled you!”

Box Office Success

“Wicked” has achieved remarkable success, becoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history, surpassing 1978’s “Grease” ($188.62 million) and ranking as the second-largest worldwide stage-to-screen adaptation after 2008’s “Mamma Mia” ($611 million). The film has garnered widespread acclaim, leading to a surge of memes, merchandise, and sing-along screenings.

Future Engagements

Erivo expressed her desire to join a sing-along screening, stating she has seen “really, really wonderful” clips shared by fans online. “I’m gonna try and sneak into one because I really want to,” she shared with Variety.

Release Date

“Wicked: For Good” is set to hit theaters on November 21.

Person

Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marc Platt, David Nicksay, Ryan Reynolds

Company Names

Universal

Titles

Wicked: Part Two, Wicked: For Good, Wicked, Grease, Mamma Mia

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