Director Jon M. Chu has revealed that the iconic anthem “Defying Gravity”—widely regarded as the most famous song from the stage musical Wicked—will not appear in the upcoming film sequel, Wicked: For Good.
The first installment of the two-part adaptation, released last November, starred Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Oscar nominations and praise for its performances and production design.
The sequel, Wicked: For Good, will continue the story set before The Wizard of Oz, introducing familiar characters such as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion—portrayed by Colman Domingo.
While the film will include fan-favorite tracks like “For Good” and “No Good Deed”, along with new original numbers including “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble”, Chu said the creative team decided to move beyond “Defying Gravity.”
In an interview with Collider, Chu explained, “What I found out is we don’t need it. We don’t need to go back… People are on it with us.”
Wicked: For Good will delve into the aftermath of Elphaba’s public denunciation of the Wizard of Oz—played by Jeff Goldblum—and explore how her relationship with Glinda continues to evolve amid shifting loyalties and destinies.
