Major Star Voicing cowardly Lion in ‘Wicked: For Good,’ Director Reveals
The upcoming film “Wicked: for Good” boasts a secret casting reveal: a prominent actor has lent their voice to the character of the Cowardly Lion. Director Jon M. Chu, 45, shared the news in a recent interview with Deadline, hinting at a significant surprise when the actor appears on the red carpet.
Chu described reaching out to the star directly via instagram, noting the role, while not extensive, sparked immediate enthusiasm. “I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you.’ He was like, ‘Why the f*** not, let’s go!’ And then we went ahead and recorded the lines,” Chu said.
“Wicked: For Good” continues the story of Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, following the events of the first “Wicked” film, scheduled for release in 2024. The sequel will also feature other iconic characters from The Wizard of Oz, including The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Dorothy Gale, though Chu indicated Dorothy will have a more limited role.
The film is based on the second half of the Broadway musical and explores Elphaba’s journey as a fugitive and Glinda’s ascent as a public figure under the influence of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (michelle Yeoh). Jonathan Bailey will portray Prince Fiyero, and Ethan Slater will play Boq.
Chu has described “Wicked: For Good” as “part monster movie,” positioning Elphaba as a “superhero” and emphasizing the film’s exploration of female empowerment. He also highlighted the emotional complexity of Glinda’s character, stating, “I think we wish we could be Elphaba and have that kind of moment of clarity, but I think most of the time we’re not that clear.”