Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Tease New ‘Wicked: For Good’ Footage During CinemaCon Victory Lap
When Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and director Jon M. Chu took the stage in Las Vegas last April to preview Wicked months before its theatrical release, there was a cautious optimism that the long-awaited adaptation would resonate with audiences. Now, a year later, the trio returned to CinemaCon with a renewed sense of triumph, celebrating the first film’s critical and box office success while teasing its highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good.
“This is the third year that Wicked has closed Universal’s CinemaCon presentation,” Chu remarked. “Thank God it worked out.”
Set to hit theaters in November, Wicked: For Good will conclude the two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical inspired by The Wizard of Oz. Erivo reprises her role as Elphaba Thropp, the green-skinned protagonist destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, while Grande continues her portrayal of Galinda, the future Good Witch of the South.
“We already have our tissues packed,” Grande joked, referencing the emotional press tour for the first film, which often left both her and Erivo in tears.
“I promise fewer waterworks this time,” Erivo added with a smile before unveiling a short montage of never-before-seen footage from the film.
Their appearance marked the grand finale of an extravagant and theatrical showcase by Universal Pictures, setting the stage for the studio’s upcoming slate of films.
A Star-Studded Universal Showcase at CinemaCon
CinemaCon, the annual gathering where Hollywood studios rally theater owners with exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes insights, saw Universal Pictures put on a spectacle worthy of the big screen. And what better way to elevate a pep talk than with an orchestra?
Universal took full advantage of the emotional pull of classic film scores, incorporating live renditions of legendary themes from Psycho, Jurassic Park, and, of course, Wicked. Emmy-winning composer Rickey Minor, known for his work as the former bandleader on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, conducted the orchestra, adding a cinematic flair to the presentation.
But Universal wasn’t just about the music. The studio went all out to promote its biggest upcoming films, including Jurassic World: Rebirth, set to roar into theaters this July. Stars Mahershala Ali and Scarlett Johansson took the stage alongside director Gareth Edwards as the orchestra played the franchise’s iconic theme.
“It has been a lifelong dream to be in a Jurassic movie,” Johansson shared. “For the last 15 years, every time I heard they were making another one, I reached out and said, ‘I’m available.’”
A Glimpse at More Blockbusters on the Horizon
Universal also gave audiences an early look at How to Train Your Dragon, the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the animated hit, set for release in June. Starring Gerard Butler and Mason Thames, the film was previewed earlier in the day with an exclusive screening.
Meanwhile, horror fans got a thrilling treat as producer Jason Blum took the stage—this time dressed as none other than Freddy Fazbear—to tease Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, which will hit theaters in December. But the most jaw-dropping moment came when 30 actors dressed as M3GAN—the eerily lifelike and occasionally homicidal AI doll—took over the stage, performing a choreographed dance to Britney Spears’ Oops!…I Did It Again. The stunt was a playful nod to M3GAN 2.0, set for release in June.
With a dazzling mix of music, spectacle, and high-profile stars, Universal’s CinemaCon showcase left audiences buzzing. And with Wicked: For Good leading the charge, it’s clear that the studio is betting big on another blockbuster year.