Colman Domingo Cowardly Lion fans received confirmation this week that Domingo will be the voice behind the iconic character in the new film Wicked: For Good, set to premiere on November 21st. The announcement ended a subtle teasing campaign by director John M. Chu, who had been hinting at the casting secret with cryptic comments and social media interactions.
Director John M. Chu explained in an interview with Deadline how he contacted Domingo via Instagram and was impressed by the positive response. While Chu had intended to keep the news under wraps for a longer period, the production team chose to reveal the casting with a playful Instagram post featuring Domingo himself, hinting fans to “See you in Oz.”
Colman Domingo’s Career and His Role in Wicked: For Good
Domingo has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1990s but has recently gained significant acclaim, including Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in 2023 and 2024 for his performances in Sing Sing and Rustin. He also earned multiple awards for his role in The Color Purple and received an Emmy for his guest appearance on Euphoria.
In Wicked: For Good, Domingo voices the Cowardly Lion, a character with a rich history in both stage and screen versions of The Wizard of Oz saga. The film explores the Lion’s journey, showing him as a fully grown adult who holds Elphaba responsible for his cowardice, contrasting with the young cub introduced and rescued by Elphaba and Fiyero earlier in the story’s timeline.
Legacy of the Cowardly Lion and Character Context in the Wicked Universe
The Cowardly Lion has been voiced by several notable actors over the years, including Bert Lahr in the classic Wizard of Oz film, David Alan Grier and Ted Ross in different adaptations of The Wiz, and Jason Priestley in the animated movie Lion of Oz. Domingo joins this distinguished group as the latest to bring the character’s voice to life.
Within the Wicked musical mythos, the Lion’s backstory is expanded beyond his well-known traits. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked Years novels refer to the Lion as “Brr,” who later stars in the book A Lion Among Men, although this particular story is not expected to be adapted for the screen. The character’s role in Wicked: For Good remains relatively modest but is rumored to be more developed compared to previous portrayals.
Anticipation and Excitement for Wicked: For Good’s Release
As the release date approaches, excitement builds among Wicked fans eager to see how Colman Domingo’s portrayal of the Cowardly Lion will add new dimensions to this familiar character. Director John M. Chu shared his enthusiasm about the casting, stating,
“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,”
Baz Bamigboye reported from Deadline.
With a powerful cast including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Wicked: For Good promises to continue the popular musical’s legacy while offering fresh storytelling elements. Domingo’s role as the Cowardly Lion aligns with the film’s deeper look into characters previously known mostly for their archetypes.
