Jonathan Bailey Teases Major ‘Wicked 2’ Changes From Broadway Original

Jonathan Bailey is spilling secrets about “Wicked: For Good,” revealing that fans can expect significant departures from the beloved Broadway production when the sequel hits theaters November 21, 2025. The actor, who returns as Fiyero alongside Cynthia Erivo‘s Elphaba and Ariana Grande‘s Glinda, promises expanded storytelling that goes far beyond what stage limitations allowed.

“There really is lots of new stuff,” Bailey shared with British GQ. When describing Elphaba’s hideaway, he explained how the film transforms simple stage concepts into fully realized cinematic experiences: “When [Fiyero] leaves with Elphaba and they go to her lair where she’s staying – on stage you just accept that she’s living in a pit of dry ice, but in the film it’s really beautifully realised and thought out by the departments and Cynthia and me.”

Director Jon M. Chu confirms this creative expansion reaches every corner of the production. The sequel tackles the musical’s second act, set years after Elphaba and Glinda’s painful separation. Elphaba is now branded an enemy of Oz, while Glinda becomes a controlled public figure under the Wizard’s influence.

New Songs and Wedding Drama

The film introduces fresh musical numbers written specifically for the screen adaptation. Chu revealed to Vanity Fair that original composer Stephen Schwartz crafted two new songs, with each witch receiving her own additional number. These additions help tell the story in ways that enhance the cinematic experience beyond stage constraints.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the trailer is that Grande’s Glinda appears in wedding attire. This addition suggests a ceremony that never occurs in the stage version. While Broadway audiences hear Glinda call Fiyero her “fiancé” during “Thank Goodness,” the film may actually show their wedding unfold. “It’s life or death for all of them, so a wedding seemed appropriate,” Chu told the outlet, hinting that this addition raises stakes for all characters involved.

The expanded narrative also promises a deeper exploration of Elphaba’s wilderness years. Chu explained that audiences will witness “what it feels like to lead that life” as she develops into the witch who decides, “If they want me to be wicked, I will be wicked.” The film shows her “rebel base” and the decisions she makes while operating outside traditional society.

Dorothy Enters the Picture

Another major addition involves Dorothy Gale’s expanded presence. Unlike the stage production, where she appears only as a shadow, “Wicked” shows Dorothy and her companions traveling the yellow brick road toward the Wizard. Chu promises this intersection will provide greater context for how Dorothy’s arrival impacts Elphaba and Glinda’s story.

The filming experience itself proved surreal for the cast. Bailey described the bizarre reality of shooting near major highways. “Being slightly off the M1 in Munchkinland, with Ari [Ariana Grande] singing a beautiful mezzo soprano, and then seeing cars pulling up on the hard shoulder trying to record it,” he told GQ.

Both parts were filmed simultaneously in the UK. This created unique challenges as actors had to jump between different timelines within their characters’ journeys. Chu managed this complexity with detailed boards and extensive script notes to keep everyone synchronized, according to Vanity Fair.

The director emphasizes that these changes serve the story’s emotional core rather than simply adding spectacle. “Things that you may have noticed in movie one, you’ll see why those things are there,” he promised the publication, suggesting that the expanded storytelling will shed light on earlier plot points while deepening the friendship that remains at “Wicked’s” heart.