Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 115

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 11:13am

It's Colman Domingo

 

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Jon M. Chu Teases Secret Celebrity Casting for Cowardly Lion in WICKED: FOR GOOD"

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 11:34am

[Claudia Draper]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:49pm

What a let down.  Is he a beloved actor?  A great actor, yes.. but what a let down 

 

https://deadline.com/2025/10/colman-domingo-joins-wicked-for-good-cowardly-lion-1236592189/

 

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 12:57pm

Chu made it sound like Laurence Olivier was stepping in for this.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:28pm

Also, why tease it if you’re not gonna let it be a surprise when people see the film? I swear, studio execs must think people want to see the entire film before they actually see the film. What’s the point?

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:29pm

Leave it to these boards to be a reliable source of negativity... almost every Wicked movie fan I know is extremely pleased with Domingo's casting.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:37pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Leave it to these boards to be a reliable source of negativity... almost everyWickedmovie fan I know is extremely pleased with Domingo's casting."

Up until an hour or so ago I couldn't imagine seeing anyone hearing Colman Domingo had been cast in a key supporting role in a movie and then saying "well, that's a disappointment".

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:39pm

I truly don't care who plays the Lion (I can't imagine the role will be very big) and I love Colman in all he does. I just think the tease was a bit overdone.

Updated On: 10/20/25 at 01:39 PM

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:48pm

This has to be one of the most anti climatic announcements in quite a while. This was hyped up as if it was going to be some A list star.

I had to look him up as I didnt know him by name. If you look at all the fan guessing online its much more starry guesses.

Also they said it wouldn't be revealed until he stepped on the red carpet. I wonder if theyve announced because the speculation had got out of control and they knew there was going to be an air of disappointment 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 1:53pm

Am I excited for Colman? Yes.

Do I think the hype was necessary? Absolutely not. 

I think the recent news of Stephen Colbert being the dean of Starfleet Academy as a V.O. was a more exciting announcement. Colman just seems a natural choice, but not all a "celebrity surprise."

[HBP]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 2:41pm

Folks might be reading too deeply into this. There was no major 'tease' campaign from the studio or Jon M. Chu. He simply mentioned celebrity casting for the Lion in a wider-ranging interview, but said he wasn't ready to share the casting yet. Then a couple news outlets picked it up as a story, even though there wasn't one. I don't think anyone was intending a bait and switch here.  

Coleman is pretty excellent in everything he does. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 3:16pm

TheQuibbler said: "Also, why tease it if you’re not gonna let it be a surprise when people see the film? I swear, studio execs must think people want to see the entire film before they actually see the film. What’s the point?"

even thou we all know what happens I refuse to watch anymore teases or commericals. I mean come on

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 5:05pm

HBP said: "Folks might be readingtoo deeply into this. There was no major 'tease' campaign from the studio or Jon M. Chu. He simply mentioned celebrity casting for the Lion in a wider-ranging interview, but said he wasn't ready to share the casting yet. Then a couple news outlets picked it up as a story, even though there wasn't one. I don't think anyone was intending a bait and switch here.

Coleman is pretty excellent in everything he does."

That is not the truth...

He teased Deadline, saying, “Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild.”

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 5:19pm

TheatreFan4 said: "HBP said: "Folks might be readingtoo deeply into this. There was no major 'tease' campaign from the studio or Jon M. Chu. He simply mentioned celebrity casting for the Lion in a wider-ranging interview, but said he wasn't ready to share the casting yet. Then a couple news outlets picked it up as a story, even though there wasn't one. I don't think anyone was intending a bait and switch here.

Coleman is pretty excellent in everything he does."

That is not the truth...

He teased Deadline, saying, “Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild.”"

I think that’s more to do with Colman’s style team than anything. I can’t imagine him not turning several looks on the red carpets.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 5:26pm

The film likely begins press screenings soon. The studio clearly decided it would be better to announce the news themselves rather than it be leaked from people watching the credits. I suspect they will also name who plays Dorothy soon too. Even if the actor who plays the part isn't seen fully. The person has to be named in the credits.

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/20/25 at 5:33pm

I think they intended it to be a double entendre: Domingo is known for flamboyant red carpet fashions, so they got people wondering if there would be a surprise cameo on the red carpet by teasing those instead.

But it got out of hand too quick and had to be reined in. I'll be surprised if there aren't a few unannounced theatre or beloved B/C list cameos in the sequel like the cameos in the first film, but "enormous industry superstars" will not be part of that.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 12:54pm

Colman Domingo is a solid choice for the Cowardly Lion, and I think he's really good in everything he does, so this works for me. Also, a small clip for "Wonderful" has been released and I like that Glinda is part of the number now instead of it being just Elphaba and the Wizard. The music/orchestration arrangements here are FIRE!

 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/22/25 at 3:10pm

Currently tracking for a $130-155MM opening weekend (the first film opened to $112.5MM).

Updated On: 10/22/25 at 03:10 PM

[MezzA101]

Posted: 10/28/25 at 6:45am

‘Wicked: For Good’ Poised to Cast Another Spell on the Oscars as First Reactions Call It a ‘Heartbreakingly Tender Conclusion’ With ‘Jaw-Dropping Performances’

https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/wicked-for-good-first-reactions-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-1236562502

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 10/28/25 at 10:39am

QueenAlice said: "The film likely begins press screenings soon. The studio clearly decided it would be better to announce the news themselves rather than it be leaked from people watching the credits. I suspect they will also name who plays Dorothy soon too. Even if the actor who plays the part isn't seen fully. The person has to be named in the credits."

Dorothy is played by Alicia Weir,who starred in the Matilda musical film adaptation. Her face is never shown,though.

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/28/25 at 10:52am

I still haven't seen the first movie, as I have been deliberately waiting until I can stream the second one in a few weeks or so to watch one right after the other. At this point, I've only seen the first official trailer for part one, and that's it. 

I do find the stage version agreeable despite its fundamental flaws.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/28/25 at 11:12am

It looks like there was a screening for folks involved with the Broadway production and various other industry figures and influencers last night. 

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 10/28/25 at 11:15am

fosterfan2 said: "QueenAlice said: "The film likely begins press screenings soon. The studio clearly decided it would be better to announce the news themselves rather than it be leaked from people watching the credits. I suspect they will also name who plays Dorothy soon too. Even if the actor who plays the part isn't seen fully. The person has to be named in the credits."

Dorothy is played by Alicia Weir,who starred in the Matilda musical film adaptation. Her face is never shown,though.

"

Given how successful these movies have been, I fully expect Universal to turn this into a tent-pole franchise, meaning there could be future installments that include Dorothy (not to mention a Wicked section of Universal Studios theme park, etc.).  So it makes sense that they hired someone who they know can carry a movie, even if her face isn't shown in this.  

[CJRochester]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 11:15am

No argument here. 

‘Wicked: For Good’ Star Jonathan Bailey Named ‘Sexiest Man of the Year’

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/jonathan-bailey-wicked-people-sexiest-man-of-the-year-1235459110/

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 11:34am

He is definitely one of them. Knew who he was but never saw him in anything until "Wicked". Became a fan after "Dancing Through Life" (I can watch that number all day).

Now People needs to name my favorite sexy man....Morris Chestnut. It's long overdue!

 

Just read that Grande is missing the first stop on the press tour in Brazil. She posted an apology but then posted again asking that no harm was wished upon her and her team after an outcry from fans. Did they get really mad at her and wish her harm online?

 

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 11:34 AM