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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wicked For Good: Your Questions About The Cast And Release Date (Plus The Scarecrow And Tin Man) Answered
Excitement for the musical sequel Wicked For Good is really starting to build following the release of the new film's first trailer. We'll admit that when we first heard that the stage musical Wicked was being split into two, we rolled our eyes a little – but after seeing Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in action last year, we now can't wait for the second instalment. There are still a few months to go until our next trip to Oz, but we know you might have a few questions between now and then. So, here's everything we know about the second movie… Initially billed as Wicked Part 2, it was revealed towards the end of 2024 that the sequel would be given the subtitle For Good, based on the show-stopping eleven o'clock performed as a duet between Elphaba and Glinda towards the end of the musical. The decision was met with a mixed response, but Ariana has claimed that Wicked For Good was actually already being touted as a title for the project when it was being filmed. 'I'm glad it's official now because we grew rather attached to it,' she said last year. 'It's just the perfect title because this project really has changed us for good.' Fans of the original musical will know that the second act begins with Thank Goodness, an ensemble number that helps catch us all up with what's gone down among the cast of characters since we last saw them. Besides that, we can look forward to the dramatic Elphaba number No Good Deed, her duet with Fiyero, As Long As You're Mine, and, as mentioned above, For Good, which has become one of Wicked's signature tunes. There's also another solo for the Wizard, Wonderful which… yeah… let's not even go there. While Wicked's original composer extended the One Short Day sequence in the first film, he's gone one step further in the sequel, and penned two new songs. Director Jon M Chu recently confirmed that one of these will be a new solo for Cynthia, while another will be performed by Ariana. Wicked itself is a retelling of the events of The Wizard Of Oz, retold from the perspective of its witches, Elphaba (known in the 1939 film as simply the Wicked Witch Of The West) and Glinda (who comes to be known as the Good Witch Of The North). Act one begins with Munchkinland celebrating the news of Elphaba's death, before taking us back through her younger years to explore her years at school. The second act – on which Wicked For Good is based – revisits the characters later in life, with Elphaba exiled and a public enemy, thanks to efforts from the Wizard Of Oz and Shiz professor Madame Morrible, and still harbouring feelings for Fiyero, to whom Glinda is now engaged. It also addresses more directly how specific events in the Wizard Of Oz came to be, including Dorothy's arrival in Oz, and her becoming friends with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Evidently, yes. While Dorothy is never seen on stage in the original production of Wicked, we've already caught a glimpse of her in the opening moments of the first film. Dorothy is also seen – once again from behind – in the latest trailer for Wicked For Good, suggesting the character will be more prominently featured in the movie than the stage musical. Chu told Vanity Fair: 'We tread lightly, but try to make more sense of how [Dorothy's arrival] impacts our girls and our characters than maybe the show does.' 'We're delicate. We're delicate. We're delicate,' he then insisted, reassuring anyone concerned about him taking any big swings away from the source material. It was previously reported that Matilda star Alisha Weir portrays Dorothy in the movie, though this is yet to be confirmed. Alright – we're going to be giving away some major Wicked spoilers now, so if you've never seen the stage musical and want to avoid these twists, just keep scrolling down to the next section. Did you hear that? Spoilers are ahead. Scroll to the next section if you want to avoid them. OK, we think they're gone. Let's proceed… So, Elphaba inadvertently creates the Scarecrow when she casts a spell on Fiyero – played by Jonathan Bailey – in an attempt to save his life in No Good Deed. The Tin Man, meanwhile, is created by Nessarose, who is played in the film by Marissa Bode. She attempts to use magic herself for the first time on Boq (Ethan Slater's character) to prevent her from leaving him, only for it to go awry, and turn him into the mechanic woodsman. As you've probably guessed, the Cowardly Lion is that same cub who Elphaba and Fiyero rescue in the first movie. Right here! Enjoy: The film will hit cinemas on Friday 21 November, with the film expected to be re-released in selective cinemas before then, to allow everyone to revisit the events of the first film. 9 Things We Need To Talk About Immediately In The New Wicked For Good Trailer 22 Weird And Wonderful Behind-The-Scenes Secrets You Probably Never Knew About How Wicked Was Made
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ammar Kalia's global album of the month
In the early 1970s, a newly independent Zambia was forging a sound of its own. Young bands such as the Peace and Ngozi Family mixed distorted guitars with bluesy riffs, falsetto vocals and Fela Kuti-influenced Afrobeat rhythms to produce a genre they labelled Zamrock. At the forefront of this scene was singer Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda's Witch (We Intend to Cause Havoc). With his nickname paying homage to Mick Jagger, Chanda channelled the Stones' swagger – alongside a healthy dose of lo-fi vocal grit and meandering, prog-influenced grooves – into five Witch records. Although the group splintered in the 80s, reissues of their music in the 2010s sparked a Witch resurgence: in 2023, Chanda reunited with keys player Patrick Mwondela to produce their first new album in almost 30 years, Zango. Their latest, Sogolo, shows the revamped band in punchy form. Where Zango saw Chanda, Mwondela and new additions Jacco Gardner (bass) and Nico Mauskoviç (drums) experiment with soul melodies and hip-hop, these 12 tracks explore new territory: offbeat reggae rhythms on the sprightly Totally Devoted, group vocal harmonies on Tiponde Madzi; the soaring Mdou Moctar-inspired desert rock of (In Memory Of) John. These diversions showcase the band's dexterity, but it's when they sink into their heavy classic style that Sogolo triumphs. On opener Kamusale, 74-year-old Chanda employs his undiminished vocal power over a thunderous guitar riff and undulating talking drum, evoking an east African Black Sabbath. The wailing funk of Queenless King harks back to 70s Witch staples such as Lazy Bones, and highlight Nadi could be peak Led Zeppelin if not for Chanda's playfully AutoTuned Bemba lyrics skipping over the band's chugging psych riffs. These joyously strange combinations show the Zamrock originators to be just as imaginative now as they ever were. PVC pipe-playing quintet Nana Benz du Togo return with Sé Nam (Komos), an infectiously funky exploration of group vocal harmonies, synth melody and propulsive bass, peaking on the dancefloor focus of Fovi. Peruvian indigenous group Wampís of Guayabal and Brighton producer Aboutface release their debut album of enveloping electronic ambience and field recordings, Los Bosquesinos (Coordinates). Chanted traditional vocals and yearning melodies create a sense of emotive urgency, with all proceeds going to help fight deforestation in the Wampís territories of the Amazon. Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Grecia Albán's Nubes Selva (Folkalist) artfully combines folk song with touches of electronic production to produce energetic and unexpected versions of South American musical traditions.
Black America Web
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
You Will Be Changed: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Make An Emotional Return In The Official ‘Wicked: For Good' Trailer
Source: Wicked For Good / Universal Pictures After months of waiting, we now have the trailer for one of the most anticipated films of the year! Last year's global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good . Continue reading to check it out! Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M. Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast (led by Academy Award nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande), the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz's silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard. As Glinda's stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba's sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives. As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good. The film also stars Emmy nominee Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Glinda's fawning assistants, Pfannee and ShenShen and BAFTA and Grammy nominee Sharon D. Clarke ( Caroline, or Change ) as the voice of Elphaba's childhood nanny, Dulcibear. Wicked: For Good is produced by returning Tony and Emmy winning powerhouse Marc Platt and and by multiple Tony winner David Stone. The executive producers are Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. The film is based on the generation-defining musical stage play with music and lyrics by legendary Grammy and Oscar winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, from the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. The screenplay is by Winnie Holzman and Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox. The film score is by John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The first film, Wicked , released in November 2024, earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscars or Costume Design and Production Design. To date, the film has grossed $750 million worldwide. We can only imagine the success the sequel will reach. Wicked: For Good will hit theaters on November 21st. Check out the official trailer and some first look images below. You Will Be Changed: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Make An Emotional Return In The Official 'Wicked: For Good' Trailer was originally published on Source:Universal Pictures Source:Universal Pictures Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wicked: For Good trailer shows Elphaba in exile and first glimpse of Dorothy
The first full-length trailer for the Wicked sequel offers fans a glimpse of Elphaba's life in exile after flying away to Oz's western lands. Footage from the movie also teases a first look at Dorothy, the protagonist of L Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, who is seen walking down the yellow brick road. Wicked: For Good will see Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, demonised by those in Oz, and transformed into The Wicked Witch Of The West, as she is known in Baum's novel about the fantastical world. It picks off where the first film left off, covering the years after Elphaba parted ways with her friend, Glinda, played by US pop star Ariana Grande. In the trailer the friends sing the song For Good as the Wizard asks Dorothy and her friends to 'bring me the broom of the Wicked Witch Of The West'. It ends with Elphaba saying 'I'm off to see the Wizard' before flying on a broom into the distance with her winged monkeys. The film, directed by Jon M Chu, shows Elphaba continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz's silenced animals while Glinda lives at the palace in Emerald City. Wicked also stars English actor Jonathan Bailey as roguish and carefree prince Fiyero, American actor and singer Ethan Slater as altruistic munchkin student Boq, and Jurassic Park's Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. The films have been adapted from the musical, which was based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel of the same name – which was in turn based on the story first told in Baum's 1900 children's novel, adapted into the 1939 film starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. Wicked: For Good will show in cinemas in Ireland from November 21.
The Courier
13-05-2025
- The Courier
'Why I fly abroad and come home to Monifieth in the same day'
I was scrolling on Facebook a few years ago when I discovered 'Extreme Day Trips'. This is a travel experience which involves visiting a distant location and returning home on the same day, with the goal of seeing as much as possible in that time. I've always loved travelling – in fact, it's a goal of mine to visit 50 countries before I turn 50 next year – so my curiosity was immediately piqued. I joined the Scotland-based community on Facebook and started investigating my options. Since then, I've completed four extreme day trips – three of which have been in Ireland. Here's why I'm hooked. My first trip was to Belfast, which cost just £25 return from Edinburgh Airport. Living in Monifieth, this is one of the most convenient airports for me. Although I had been to the city before, there were certain attractions I hadn't had time to tick off previously. One thing I did on this occasion was visit CS Lewis Square, which features incredible statues from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I loved getting out of the city centre and it really opened up my eyes to Belfast. I took my second trip to Dublin shortly after, with return flights from Edinburgh Airport costing £45. Again, I had been to Dublin before, so I focused on visiting new attractions, including the Guinness Factory and the Molly Malone Statue. I also went to The Clarence Hotel, owned by Bono, for a coffee and cake in the afternoon. Then in 2024, myself and a friend went to Kaunus in Lithuania. Again, this was just £45 return from Edinburgh Airport. It was actually an overnight stay, but because we returned home within 24 hours, it still qualifies as an 'Extreme Day Trip'! This was a completely new destination for me and I was excited to explore the city. Most recently, three friends and I booked a trip to Cork, and our return flights from Edinburgh Airport cost just £32. It was an early start – we left Dundee at 3.30am on a Wednesday. We also did a lot of walking. I usually do 20,000 to 40,000 steps on an extreme day trip, because I walk everywhere. We ate some amazing food, walked along the river, explored the city centre, saw some cathedrals, went to the Cork English Market and soaked up the sunshine. It was such a great day. When it comes to planning a great extreme day trip, I always like to check out the most Instagrammable places. This is a great way to discover the quirky attractions which aren't quite so run-of-the-mill. Still, I never plan my day out to a tee; I like to leave room for spontaneity. I also believe in spoiling myself when I'm away – I always like to go to a five-star hotel for a coffee and cake. I normally do this mid-afternoon to keep my batteries going, because it can be quite a long day. For instance, if my flight is taking off at 7am, I like to get to the airport two hours early. This usually means waking up at 3am and not getting home until after midnight. One of my rules when I go away is to support the local economy as well. This means I avoid the big brands where possible – I would never go to a Wetherspoons or McDonalds for lunch. Instead, I like to try the local food. It's more about doing your research and finding out where the best little greasy spoon is. I also absolutely love checking out the local Christmas markets – I've organised three of my trips over the Christmas period – and buying handmade decorations from local makers. Of course, I would always prefer to stay in a location for a longer. But extreme day trips are a great travel option for people who just don't have the time or money to travel otherwise. From an affordability point of view, it just offers more opportunities to see the world. I've never spent more than £50 on my flights or more than £100 during the day. It's easily the same price as a day out with your friends at home. For example, a return train from Dundee to Glasgow at peak times can cost up to £70. Why not fly to Copenhagen for lunch instead? And travelling as a single person can be especially expensive. The amount of times I see holidays that are £300 per person for two people, and I go and price that holiday up, and it costs me £800 because there's only one of me. So, from a solo point of view, it's perfect. I also have elderly parents, and going away on a day trip means that if anything goes wrong, I'll be back that night. But don't get me wrong, as much as I love to go abroad, I have also extensively travelled Scotland. I think it's really important that, as a tourist anywhere, you know your own country and that you're a champion of your own country. As told to features writer
