Cynthia

When Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters later this year, Ariana Grande‘s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo‘s Elphaba will face hard truths through new songs. Stephen Schwartz composed two new songs for the film, but director Jon Chu assures moviegoers with a particular attachment to the original soundtrack that they wouldn’t have added them if they weren’t essential. “Even after we recorded them, even after we put them in the movie,” he told EW, “we kicked the tires on them to make sure that we had to put them in this movie.”

While the song titles have not been revealed, Chu shared details about how they assist in moving the story forward. “They’re questioning, ‘What is home? And what happens when you are fighting for a home that you realize doesn’t even want you there, or was never meant for you? Do you defend it? Do you fight for it? Does anyone else think of home the same as you?’” he said. Wicked concluded with Elphaba taking off toward the west following an explosive performance of “Defying Gravity,” leaving Glinda behind.

“Glinda is the one that has to ultimately pop her own bubble,” Chu said. “She has to leave her privilege to actually see other people’s struggles and fight for justice and equality.” Both characters are looking for answers and understanding. For the director, it’s a similar experience to what he felt watching the original production. “Both of these songs are about how to do that, and it’s questions that I’ve always wanted to hear from them in the stage show, but never got to,” he said. “We get to take our time and explore those questions.”

Erivo worked with Schwartz to compose one of the Wicked: For Good original numbers. “When we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears. I hope audiences are ready — it’s a song that speaks to the heart of who Elphaba is,” she teased earlier this year. “I have a feeling that even the title will move you … We’re diving deeper into the consequences of the characters’ choices. The story is richer, and the stakes are higher. It’s not just a continuation; it’s a transformation.”

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2025. “They ask us elemental questions of being human, not just the great parts — the celebratory, joyful parts of being human — but the scary, dark parts that test us,” Chu said. “Everybody thinks it’s about this time, and yet it’s about all time. We are a little bit good and we all are a little bit wicked, and how do we navigate that?”