Colman Domingo has been announced as the voice of the Cowardly Lion in the upcoming film Wicked: For Good. The reveal came through the official Wicked Instagram account on Monday, where Domingo appeared behind a lion stuffed toy before greeting fans with “See you in Oz!” The casting highlights Domingo’s role as the iconic character in the much-anticipated sequel.
Excitement Builds Ahead of Film Release
Director Jon M. Chu recently hinted at the anticipation surrounding the Cowardly Lion’s voice actor.
“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,”
Chu said, indicating that Domingo’s participation will be a notable moment for fans and the industry alike.
The Cowardly Lion’s Story in the “Wicked” Universe
The Cowardly Lion is a pivotal figure originating from the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. In the narrative of Wicked, the lion begins as a young cub whom Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) rescue after Dr. Dillamond’s removal and a professor introduces a caged lion to the classroom. The teacher explains that confinement prevents the cub from learning to speak. Angered by this injustice, Elphaba uses her powers to help the cub escape into the forest.
Character Development and Storyline in the Sequel
In Wicked: For Good, the cub has matured into the Cowardly Lion, who harbors resentment toward Elphaba for his past. The film’s timeline overlaps with events from The Wizard of Oz, featuring scenes of the Lion journeying with Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow down the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). He also appears during the musical number “March of the Witchhunters.” Despite these appearances, the character’s role remains limited, consistent with the Broadway version of the story.
Returning Cast and Film Themes
The sequel reunites several key cast members, including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Throp, Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. Additional returning actors include Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and Bronwyn James as ShenShen.
Wicked: For Good focuses on the unfolding events of the original musical’s second act, spotlighting the strained friendship between Elphaba and Glinda as they accept their roles as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the North. The story explores the consequences of their choices and the ensuing transformation that reshapes the land of Oz.
Release Information and Anticipation
The sequel, produced by Universal Pictures, is scheduled for theatrical release on November 21. Fans of the original story and musical can expect a continuation that deepens the narrative of Oz’s most famous characters while introducing new dimensions to their journeys.
