Director Jon M. Chu has revealed an exciting detail about the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, set for release on November 21, 2025. Building on the hidden Bridgerton cameo in the first Wicked film, Chu confirmed that the sequel will include a remarkable cameo featuring the voice of the Cowardly Lion, adding another layer of intrigue for fans of the original story and movie.
Jon M. Chu’s Surprise Casting for the Cowardly Lion
Jon M. Chu shared with Deadline how he personally reached out to a well-known actor through Instagram to participate in Wicked: For Good.
“I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you,’”
the director said. The actor enthusiastically accepted, replying,
“Why the f—k not, let’s go!”
Following this quick agreement, the lines were recorded, though Chu kept the actor’s identity under wraps.
Despite withholding the name, Chu teased the impact of this casting choice, promising a memorable moment:
“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.”
This hint builds anticipation as fans await the film’s premiere, where the cast will celebrate their roles on the red carpet.
Challenges on Set: Balancing Sound and Visual Effects
While the actors prepare for their public appearances, the production team faced significant technical challenges behind the scenes, especially in perfecting the movie’s visuals along the Yellow Brick Road. Chu revealed that despite having completed the sound mixing, the final hurdle was achieving the right color grade.
“We were doing, sound of the mix, the final mix. But really at the end it was color that was holding us back, because we were getting new visual effects,”
Chu explained. The difficulty centered on the sensitivity of green hues, which appear in various versions of the film, including HDR, IMAX, and Dolby formats.
“And then green is so sensitive. You can have so many ranges. And every time you switch… to the HDR version, to the IMAX version, to the Dolby version, those greens go everywhere… It’s her skin. And then the yellows in the yellow brick road. It can’t be the honey brick road; it has to be the yellow brick road.”
This nuanced attention to color concerns not just ensuring accurate imagery but preserving the integrity of the story’s iconic landscape. The yellow of the famous road reflects a specific hue that fans closely associate with the Wicked universe, making this detail critical.
Jon M. Chu’s Dedication to Visual Perfection
The consistency and precision of the color grading sparked widespread discussion among dedicated fans, who continually analyze the movie’s visual elements. Chu assured them that the creative team took these concerns very seriously.
“We had to really be careful,”
he acknowledged.
“So we spent a lot of time, way more time, not to repaint them, but just tweak to make sure it was in the range that we expected on the film version, on the Dolby version, because you just get more colors in HDR or stuff like that.”
This meticulous work ensures that the final presentation across multiple viewing platforms maintains the intended visual impact, allowing audiences to experience the vivid and authentic world of Wicked just as the filmmakers envisioned.
What Lies Ahead for Wicked: For Good
As fans eagerly await Wicked: For Good, the inclusion of an exclusive voice cameo and the painstaking visual enhancements highlight the filmmakers’ commitment to delivering a high-quality sequel. The film promises to expand the enchanting world established in the first movie and maintain a strong connection with audiences through careful attention to both creative talent and technical detail.
Additionally, the upcoming November release will offer viewers a chance to witness the continuation of the characters’ journeys along the iconic Yellow Brick Road, now enhanced with fresh performances and advanced cinematic craftsmanship. Jon M. Chu’s involvement and his collaborative direction ensure that Wicked: For Good will uphold the high standards set by the original, anticipating strong reception both on the red carpet and in theaters.
