Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey
The curtain may have fallen on the last act, but the music and the magic live on. Wicked 3: The Emerald Destiny explores the compelling, untold chapter following Elphaba’s alleged demise, definitively revealing that the story of Oz—and the complex fates of its two most famous witches—was far from over.
Ariana Grande shines as Glinda the Good, who now sits as the supreme, luminous ruler of Oz. Yet, she quickly discovers that the weight of the crown is unbearable. Haunted by her public facade and the private grief over losing her dearest friend, Glinda struggles to maintain the fragile peace she fought for. Without Elphaba, the critical balance of magic and morality begins to crumble, and Oz’s famous Emerald City starts to lose its vibrant luster, reflecting the decay underneath.
Sensing this magical vulnerability, the vengeful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), aided by new, technologically advanced enchantments, finds a sinister way to manipulate the timelines of Oz itself to reclaim his stolen throne. His machinations threaten to undo all the progress Glinda has made, plunging the land back into an era of ignorance and control.
Meanwhile, across the forgotten corners of the realm, Cynthia Erivo returns with electrifying, chilling power as Elphaba. Emerging from the deep shadows of exile, Elphaba is fundamentally changed. No longer bound by the prescribed need to be “wicked” or “good,” she wields a raw, untamed magic—a force both magnificent and terrifying—that constantly threatens to consume her, blurring the line between salvation and destruction.
The two former friends, now separated by roles of state and personal darkness, are forced toward a desperate reunion. As the Yellow Brick Road begins to rot and the very fabric of Ozian reality unravels, Glinda must appeal to the only person who understands the true nature of power. This time, their fight is not about petty defiance or political maneuvering—it is a quest for fundamental redemption, both for Oz and for their fractured history. Jonathan Bailey, potentially stepping into a key role as a new ally or a critical antagonist, guides their path toward their final reckoning.
With soaring new musical numbers, breathtaking visual spectacles, and a dramatic exploration of the high cost of truth, Wicked 3: The Emerald Destiny proves that true power lies not in gravity-defying spells, political crowns, or fleeting goodness, but in the unbreakable, complicated bond of friendship that transcends distance, destiny, and even death itself.