Costumes aren’t just fabric in Wicked: For Good — they’re storytelling. Universal has released two behind‑the‑scenes featurettes that dive into the wardrobes of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), and they’re as much a narrative device as they are visual spectacle.
Elphaba’s Silhouette, Reinvented
The first featurette focuses on Elphaba. Costume designer Paul Tazewell, who won the Oscar for the first Wicked film, returns with a sharper vision. This time, Elphaba’s look isn’t just about the hat and cape. She’s given pants and a flowing coat, emphasizing movement and power. The silhouette is iconic, but the tweaks make her feel more grounded — a witch who’s both myth and insurgent.
Glinda’s Bubble Dress
The second video turns to Glinda, whose wardrobe is all about spectacle. Her blue gown is designed to look like a bubble, shimmering with layers of fabric that catch the light like glass. It’s playful, glamorous, and faintly absurd — exactly the point. Glinda’s costumes are meant to dazzle the Emerald City while hinting at the fragility beneath the glitter.
Why Costumes Matter Here
The first Wicked film (2024) earned 10 Oscar nominations and won for Costume Design and Production Design. Tazewell’s work was the throughline, and these new featurettes suggest he’s aiming for a repeat. The detail is staggering: stitching that references Ozian iconography, fabrics sourced to shimmer under Chu’s sweeping camera moves, and silhouettes that double as character arcs.
Release Timing
Wicked: For Good is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Ethan Slater. It opens in theaters on November 21, 2025 — almost exactly a year after the first film became the most successful Broadway adaptation in history, grossing $750 million worldwide.
5 Things We Learned from the Wicked: For Good Featurettes
- Elphaba’s new look: Pants and coat give her a modern, insurgent edge.
- Glinda’s bubble gown: Designed to shimmer like glass, playful yet fragile.
- Paul Tazewell returns: The Oscar‑winning designer is back, raising expectations.
- Awards potential: Costume design is already being discussed as a frontrunner.
- Marketing shift: Universal is leaning into behind‑the‑scenes craft just a month before release.
FAQ
Why are the costumes such a big deal in Wicked: For Good?
Because they’re not just decorative — they’re character arcs in fabric. Elphaba’s silhouette signals rebellion, Glinda’s gowns signal spectacle.
Could the film repeat its Oscar success in Costume Design?
Very likely. Tazewell already won for the first film, and these featurettes show the same obsessive detail that awards voters love.
Why release featurettes now?
With the film opening November 21, Universal is stoking fan excitement by spotlighting the artistry that appeals to both Broadway loyalists and filmgoers.
