Colman Domingo, the acclaimed American actor and playwright, has been officially cast as the Cowardly Lion in the forthcoming film, Wicked: For Good. This announcement follows a wave of online speculation regarding the role’s casting.
The film’s official Instagram account revealed the news on Monday with a video of Mr. Domingo amidst lion-themed plush toys. The clip concludes with him stating, “See you in Oz.”
Jon M. Chu, director of the highly anticipated sequel to the Broadway musical adaptation, initially teased the casting on Thursday, hinting at a major Hollywood star joining the production.
Domingo joins a prominent cast that already includes Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
The film also features Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.
Chu shared with Deadline that he approached Domingo for the role of the Cowardly Lion via Instagram.
“I was like, ‘It’s not a ton of lines, but maybe you have a little time. I know you’re busy. I’ll come to you,'” Chu told Deadline. Domingo responded, “Why the f— not. Let’s go,” he recounted.
The Broadway luminary is a two-time Academy Award nominee and Primetime Emmy Award winner. Time Magazine recognized him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.
Anticipation has been building for Wicked: For Good since the release of the first film in November 2024. The initial full-length trailer for the sequel debuted in June.
The sequel resumes the narrative following Elphaba and Glinda’s diverging paths.
Elphaba is now considered an enemy of Oz, while Glinda has become a public figure under the Wizard’s control, played by Goldblum.
The film’s trailer also hints at Dorothy’s arrival, depicting her journey down the yellow brick road with her companions, suggesting a potentially expanded role compared to the musical. The actress cast for the role remains unconfirmed.
The films are adapted from the widely successful Broadway and West End musical, itself based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel.
Both movies were filmed concurrently at Sky Studios Elstree in the United Kingdom between December 2022 and January 2024, with production temporarily halted by the Hollywood actors’ strike.
Wicked was the highest-grossing film of 2024 in the UK and received 10 Oscar nominations, ultimately winning two for best costume and production design.
The sequel is scheduled for release on November 21, nearly a year to the date after its predecessor.
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