‘Wicked’ movie will end with Act 1 showstopper ‘Defying Gravity’

We just got confirmation of what we long suspected: the upcoming movie version of “Wicked” will close with “Defying Gravity,” which ended the first act on Broadway. We learned this from the listing of tracks on the soundtrack, which is available for pre-order. It is due to drop on the day that the movie is released: Nov. 22.

Expect Cynthia Erivo to leave audiences wanting more when she sings this show-stopper as her character, Elphaba, transforms into the Wicked Witch. But they’ll have to wait a full year to see the second half of the story with “Wicked Part Two,” set for release on Nov. 26, 2025. Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) directed both movies while Winnie Holzman, who reaped a Tony bid for the Broadway book, wrote the screenplay with Dana Fox (“Cruella”).  

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In the good news/bad news department, none of the songs from the Broadway musical have been cut but Stephen Schwartz didn’t write any new tunes for the movie. This means we will hear Ariana Grande, who plays goodie goodie Glinda, sing “Popular.”

Also raising their voice in song will be Michelle Yeoh as the menacing Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey as the philandering Fiyero, who woos both women; Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; Ethan Slater as Boq, a Munchkin who pines for Nessarose; Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz; and Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond.

Here’s the full track listing:

1. No One Mourns the Wicked – Ariana Grande ft. Andy Nyman, Courtney Mae-Briggs, Jeff Goldblum, Sharon D. Clarke & Jenna Boyd
2. Dear Old Shiz – Shiz University Choir ft. Ariana Grande
3. The Wizard And I – Cynthia Erivo ft. Michelle Yeoh
4. What Is This Feeling? – Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo
5. Something Bad – Peter Dinklage ft. Cynthia Erivo
6. Dancing Through Life – Jonathan Bailey ft. Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode & Cynthia Erivo
7. Popular – Ariana Grande
8. I’m Not That Girl – Cynthia Erivo
9. One Short Day – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
10. A Sentimental Man – Jeff Goldblum
11. Defying Gravity – Cynthia Erivo ft. Ariana Grande

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