How deeply can songs shape a narrative’s emotional landscape? In the upcoming “Wicked” sequel, set for release on November 21, 2025, the answer lies in poignant musical compositions that explore fundamental questions of belonging and identity.
The film features a soundtrack crafted by original composer Stephen Schwartz, whose music and lyrics investigate the complexity of Elphaba and Glinda’s evolving friendship. These emotional ballads serve as narrative devices probing the characters’ attachment to Oz, with several songs directly questioning whether Oz represents a true home for its inhabitants. Flashbacks shown in the first film that reveal Alphaba’s childhood trauma will be further explored through new emotional musical pieces in the sequel.
Director Jon M. Chu has emphasized balancing spectacular visuals with emotional storytelling, employing intimate close-ups during these musical moments to visually convey the characters’ internal conflicts.
Cynthia Erivo, portraying Elphaba, delivers vocal performances described by early reviewers as containing remarkable emotional gravitas, while Ariana Grande’s Glinda combines vulnerability with strength in her ballads. Cast members underwent intensive vocal technique training to ensure their singing voices remained strong throughout the demanding production schedule. Both actresses dedicated hours to practicing with chromatic tuner apps to achieve perfect pitch accuracy in their most emotionally demanding scenes. The cast recorded these emotional pieces during principal photography in England between December 2022 and January 2024, with the performances already garnering critical acclaim from trailer previews.
The sequel will include an original song co-written by Cynthia Erivo titled For Good, adding a personal touch to Elphaba’s emotional journey through music.
The screenplay adaptation by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox enhances the emotional depth of songs that address displacement, particularly Elphaba’s experience after becoming “wicked.” Musical motifs tied to characters’ emotional states reinforce thematic questions throughout the film, with the score combining orchestral elements and contemporary stylings for heightened emotional impact.
Marketing materials have strategically highlighted these key emotional songs, framing the sequel as a profound resolution through music. Trailers focus on internal struggles and relationships, using music-themed social media teasers to deepen fan anticipation about the characters’ emotional journeys.
The production employs advanced Dolby Atmos and IMAX 6-Track formats to create an immersive sound experience, ensuring that when characters vocally explore existential questions of home—referencing both Oz and Kansas—audiences will feel fully enveloped in their emotional search for belonging beyond physical location.
