‘Wicked: For Good’ Will Feature a Song Co-Written by Star Cynthia Erivo, But is That a Good Thing?

Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked, will have a song co-written by Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo who continues to put herself at the center of all things related to this adaptation. 

Following the release of Wicked, Universal’s big screen adaptation of the Broadway megahit of the same name, there has been excitement among the show’s legions of fans around the world who care deeply about the story of the characters Elphaba and Glinda.

A screenshot from the trailer to Wicked, YouTube

Cynthia Erivo is not only reprising her role as Elphaba but also co-writing a new original song. While many are thrilled by her vocal abilities, others question whether Erivo has overshadowed the show’s original vision by recasting Wicked in terms of her personal experiences, particularly concerning race and sexuality.

From the onset of this film’s production, Erivo has constantly talked about her journey and wanting to inject aspects of herself into the character. She noted a desire to not “erase who I was under the green,” which is typically the opposite of what a good actor does. 

An actor’s job is to erase the self and become someone else entirely. If you’re not erasing who you are “under the green” then you’re just being Cynthia Erivo and not being Elphaba. That then isn’t acting. It’s self aggrandizing and posturing and it does a disservice to fans of the show who want to see the character first brought to life on stage by Idina Menzel.

On a recent episode of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, she once again spoke about how personal this project is for her.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the trailer for the Wicked movie, YouTube – Universal Pictures

The moment Erivo calls her Wicked journey “personal,” questions arise. Traditionally, characters like Elphaba resonate with many people for various reasons—feeling “green” or different in a multitude of ways. But Erivo’s interpretation runs the risk of reducing this universality by putting her own story center stage.

“I know what it feels like to walk into a room where people don’t want you to be there,’ Erivo said to Variety. ‘I know what it feels like to be bullied, to feel rejected, to feel like you’re not loved. Bringing those memories to the surface wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to show Elphaba’s vulnerability and resilience.”

Of course, actors often draw from personal experiences to inform their performances. That can lead to powerful portrayals. However, Wicked’s story is not solely about Cynthia Erivo or her real-life challenges. By emphasizing her personal parallels so strongly, Erivo appears to funnel the narrative into a singular, hyper-personal direction.

A Screenshot of Ariana Grande From the Wicked Movie Trailer, YouTube – Universal Pictures

This begs the question: Where is the line between an actor’s personal interpretation and overriding the broader themes of the story?

Erivo revealed that she worked with Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz to create an original song for Elphaba that will be featured in the sequel film.

“I collaborated on one of the new songs, and it’s so special to me,” she shared, once more drawing the connection to her personally and tying this into a larger discussion of her upcoming musical album. “When we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears. I hope audiences are ready — it’s a song that speaks to the heart of who Elphaba is.”

Glinda’s dorm room from the movie Wicked on display at Universal Studios Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro

Stephen Schwartz is the beloved composer behind the iconic Wicked score. Fans have cherished his music for years. But now, with Erivo co-writing, there’s a concern that this new track may be less about Elphaba’s deeper, long-established character and more about Erivo’s personal trials and triumphs.

When she says “it’s so special to me,” it raises the suspicion that we may hear a song more reminiscent of Erivo’s autobiographical musings than the nuanced, collective story fans expect.

She also teased that the sequel has a darker, more mature tone.

The exterior of the Wicked Merchandise store at Universal Studios Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro

“We’re diving deeper into the consequences of the characters’ choices,” she said. “The story is richer, and the stakes are higher. It’s not just a continuation; it’s a transformation.”

The sequel will follow the story of Wicked’s second act in the Broadway musical. Some padding will be needed to make a full film out of that story, as it’s nowhere near as long as the first act and features fewer show-stopping songs. 

One might think exploring the consequences of the first film’s events with new music with input from the original composer sounds promising. Yet the caveat is whether this “transformation” is going to serve the story or serve Cynthia Erivo’s artistic ambitions. If every plot pivot and new musical moment is overshadowed by her personal brand, fans’ concerns about authenticity may grow even louder.

Cynthia Erivo has reacted to viral edits of the ‘WICKED’ poster:

“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen, equal to that awful AI of us fighting… Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face & hide my eyes is to erase me. That is just deeply hurtful” pic.twitter.com/y3P1Qh379S

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 16, 2024

Erivo’s history of attaching her personal feelings and experiences to Wicked started with an unhinged social media tantrum following a fan edit of the movie’s poster. The edit in question shrouded Erivo’s eyes in shadow. This more closely brings the film’s poster in line with the poster for the original Broadway show. 

In other words, more closely in line with Elphaba, the character as originally conceived by Stephen Schwartz and presented to the public. The character embodied and originated by Idina Menzel. 

And yet Cynthia Erivo flew off the deep end over it, seemingly proving that it’s not about Elphaba the character. It’s about Cynthia Erivo, the actress. 

“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have ever seen,” Erivo said on social media before claiming, “It degrades me…it degrades us!”

“The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION,” she continued. “I am a real life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer …because, without words we communicate with our eyes. Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.”

These comments might have ultimately hurt Wicked as its once promising box office run has stalled in recent weeks. Industry experts once predicted that Wicked would pull in more than $1 billion. However, the film sputtered after crossing the $500 million mark and now it seems as though it’ll be lucky to reach $700 million.

Glinda’s Dress in the Wicked Experience at Universal Studios Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro

Cynthia Erivo is undeniably talented. Most won’t deny her vocal prowess or her success on the stage and screen. However, there is growing unease that her involvement in Wicked: For Good—especially co-writing a new song—might tilt this beloved musical off-balance.

By centering Wicked so firmly around her personal journey and publicizing her music career at the same time, Erivo risks rebranding a story that countless fans connect with on a broader level.

Elphaba’s Costume in the Wicked Experience in Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro

In the end, Wicked is bigger than any one performer. It’s a story about friendship, identity, and challenging preconceived notions of good and evil.

As audiences await Wicked: For Good, many hope that the sequel will stay true to these timeless themes, rather than become a vehicle for an actor’s self-promotion. Whether Cynthia Erivo’s influence lifts the Wicked franchise to new heights or detracts from its original magic remains to be seen.

Are you planning to see Wicked: For Good in theaters? Does Cynthia Erivo make you want to see Wicked more or less? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!