Cynthia Erivo is just like us: She can’t wait until November 2025 to see the next (and final) installment of the Wicked films. The actress recently spoke at The Hollywood Reporter’s studio at Park City, where she revealed her eagerness for Part 2. “I’ve seen the smallest amount,” she admitted. “But not in situ. I know it’s being edited now, but [Jon M. Chu] won’t let us see it yet. I’m going to force my way into the editing room. I’m not waiting that long to watch this movie.”
Erivo was in town to receive the Sundance Film Festival’s Visionary Award, and the timing of her appearance turned out to be serendipitous — the Academy Award nominations were announced during her flight over from London. Erivo is nominated for best actress, and Wicked has garnered a total of ten nominations, including best picture and a supporting actress nod for Ariana Grande. Although she tried to avoid looking at her phone, word of the nominations kept coming in as messages of congratulations from friends and family, including tearful voice notes from Grande. “[The flight attendants] didn’t see me taking in the news, but they definitely saw me crying,” she recounted. “And then they gave me a box of tissues, and I had to explain that it was happy tears, but nonetheless they were very kind. They gave me some space, but then at the end of the flight, they all said congratulations.”
The day before the Oscar nominations were announced, the Broadway production of Wicked revealed their new cast, with Lencia Kebede making history as the first Black actress to play Elphaba full-time on The Great White Way. “I haven’t met her, and I’m trying to make sure I can get there for her first show,” Erivo stated regarding Kebede. “And I don’t know if we’ve managed to get them to her yet, but I’m going to send flowers. I really want to celebrate that moment for her, and with her.”
The buzz around Cynthia Erivo’s excitement for Wicked Part 2 not only highlights her dedication to her craft but also reaffirms the film’s significance in contemporary cinema. As fans eagerly await the second part of this beloved story, it’s evident that both Erivo and her audience share the same anticipation, setting the stage for a memorable release in 2025.