The highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, Wicked, has finally arrived, and the full star-studded cast is nothing short of spectacular. Fans of the beloved musical, which tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, are currently absorbing the magic of Wicked: Part One (released in November 2024) and eagerly awaiting the conclusion, Wicked: For Good, scheduled for release in November 2025. This two-part cinematic event, directed by Jon M. Chu, brings together a powerhouse ensemble of musical theater veterans, pop icons, and Oscar-winning legends to bring the Land of Oz to life.
As of December 11, 2025, the official cast list for both films has been fully confirmed, featuring a dynamic blend of talent ready to belt out iconic songs like "Defying Gravity" and "Popular." This article provides the definitive, updated guide to every major star and character in the Wicked movie universe, from the leading ladies of Shiz University to the powerful figures in the Emerald City.
The Central Stars: Full Cast and Character Biographies
The core of the Wicked story rests on the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. The casting for these roles required not only incredible vocal talent but also immense dramatic range. Director Jon M. Chu selected two of the most formidable performers in modern entertainment to lead the saga.
1. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (The Wicked Witch of the West)
- Biography: Born in Stockwell, South London, Cynthia Erivo is a celebrated English actress and singer with a formidable career on stage and screen. She is one of the few artists to be a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner, just one Oscar shy of achieving EGOT status. Her Broadway breakthrough came in 2015 with the revival of The Color Purple, for which she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for two Academy Awards for her role as Harriet Tubman in the film Harriet.
- Character Role: Elphaba is the misunderstood, passionate, and green-skinned student at Shiz University. Her journey from social outcast to the infamous Wicked Witch of the West is the emotional heart of the story. Erivo’s powerful voice is perfectly suited to deliver Elphaba's soaring anthems.
2. Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland (Glinda the Good)
- Biography: Ariana Grande-Butera is a global pop superstar and actress. Her career began on Broadway in the musical 13 (2008), followed by her breakout role as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon series Victorious. While primarily known for her music career—which boasts numerous record-breaking hits and Grammy Awards—her return to musical theatre for Wicked marks a major full-circle moment for the star, who has long expressed her love for the role.
- Character Role: Glinda (originally Galinda) is the popular, ambitious, and bubbly student who initially clashes with Elphaba before forming an unlikely, deep friendship. Grande steps into the role of the future Glinda the Good, navigating the character's transition from shallow socialite to compassionate leader.
3. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar
- Biography: Jonathan Bailey is an English actor who gained international fame for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series Bridgerton. He is an Olivier Award-winning stage actor, known for his work in productions like Company. His casting as Fiyero was highly praised for bringing a mix of charm, dramatic weight, and musical theatre experience to the role.
- Character Role: Fiyero is the wealthy, carefree, and initially shallow Winkie Prince who arrives at Shiz University. He becomes the central love interest, caught in a complicated emotional triangle between Elphaba and Glinda.
The Legendary Supporting Cast: Oz's Power Players
The world of Oz is populated by iconic figures who shape Elphaba’s destiny. The film adaptation has secured two legendary actors to play the most powerful—and manipulative—characters in the story, adding significant star power and topical authority to the ensemble.
4. Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
- Character Role: Madame Morrible is the formidable and manipulative headmistress of Shiz University. She is the one who first recognizes Elphaba’s prodigious magical talent and introduces her to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, setting the stage for Elphaba’s rise and fall.
- Career Highlight: Michelle Yeoh is an Academy Award-winning Malaysian actress known for her roles in blockbuster action films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and her Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Her casting brings a regal, authoritative presence to the headmistress role.
5. Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- Character Role: The Wizard is the mysterious, all-powerful, and charismatic ruler of the Emerald City. He is the figure Elphaba seeks out in her quest to use her powers for good, only to discover that things in Oz are not as they seem.
- Career Highlight: Jeff Goldblum is an American actor known for his distinctive, eccentric style and roles in major franchises like Jurassic Park and Independence Day. His unique energy is expected to bring a fresh, slightly chaotic take on the Wizard.
The Extended Ensemble: Key Characters of Shiz and Oz
To flesh out the magical world of Oz and the halls of Shiz University, director Jon M. Chu has assembled a deep bench of talented actors, ensuring every moment is filled with memorable performances. This supporting cast is crucial for providing the context and emotional stakes of Elphaba and Glinda's journey.
The Shiz University Crew
- Ethan Slater as Boq: Boq is a Munchkin student at Shiz who is hopelessly in love with Glinda. He is a pivotal character whose fate is tragically intertwined with Elphaba's growing powers. Slater is a Tony Award nominee for his role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.
- Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp: Nessarose is Elphaba’s younger sister, who is confined to a wheelchair. She eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the East. Marissa Bode, who uses a wheelchair in real life, makes her feature film debut in this critical role.
- Bowen Yang as Pfannee: The Saturday Night Live star plays Pfannee, a fellow student at Shiz. Yang’s involvement promises to inject moments of comedic timing into the university scenes.
- Bronwyn James as ShenShen: ShenShen is another one of Glinda’s inner circle of friends and fellow Shiz students, often seen alongside Pfannee.
Other Noteworthy Cast Members
- Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond (Voice): The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, best known for Game of Thrones, provides the voice for the beloved talking goat professor at Shiz University. Dr. Dillamond is a mentor to Elphaba and a key figure in the political unrest brewing in Oz.
- Keala Settle as Miss Coddle: Settle, known for her powerful performance in The Greatest Showman, takes on the role of Miss Coddle, a character in the Ozian world.
- Adam James as Glinda’s Father: The British actor is confirmed to play the father of Glinda Upland.
- Karis Musongole as Young Elphaba: The crucial role of Young Elphaba, seen in flashbacks and early scenes, is played by Karis Musongole.
- Emilie Jeffries as Young Glinda: Emilie Jeffries portrays the younger version of the future Glinda the Good.
The Vision: Why a Two-Part Film?
The decision to split the movie into two parts—Wicked: Part One (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025)—was made by director Jon M. Chu to ensure the entire, intricate story of the original stage musical could be told without sacrificing complexity or beloved musical numbers.
The first film, Wicked: Part One, covers the initial meeting of Elphaba and Glinda, their time at Shiz University, and the dramatic events that lead to Elphaba's famous "Defying Gravity" moment, which serves as a natural cliffhanger. The second part, Wicked: For Good, will explore the consequences of that fateful decision, delving deeper into Elphaba's transformation into the Wicked Witch and the emotional fallout with Glinda, culminating in the powerful song "For Good."
This approach allows the audience to fully appreciate the world-building, the political undertones of Oz, and the nuanced performances of the star-studded cast, providing a richer, more faithful adaptation than a single, condensed film could have achieved. The anticipation for Wicked: For Good's November 2025 release remains incredibly high, with projections suggesting it could be one of the biggest box office openings of the year.
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