The next chapter of Wicked is here or at least a sneak peek of it. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo gave audiences the first glimpse of Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s blockbuster hit. This time, the story picks up after the dramatic events at Shiz University, focusing on the two witches as their lives move in very different directions.
This exclusive trailer was presented by Grande, Erivo, director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt. Unlike last year’s introduction, when the stars arrived in bright green and pink, nodding to their characters, this time they wore all black, signalling a darker tone ahead.
Set after Elphaba is labelled a threat by the Wizard and Madame Morrible, played by Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh, the sequel explores her life in hiding as she grows stronger in her powers. In contrast, Glinda is navigating her rise as the face of good, though not without inner conflict.
The trailer, which hasn’t been made public yet, sparked strong reactions from the crowd. In one clip, Glinda adjusts her tiara inside the Wizard’s castle and whispers, “Elphaba, I know you’re out there.” Meanwhile, Elphaba, in her new fortress, studies a magical book and takes control of the skies, spelling out “Our Wizard Lies” across the clouds.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in WickedInstagram/WickedMovie
Glimpses of Glinda’s wedding to Fiyero, Elphaba’s defiance, and familiar Oz characters, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion were included. The trailer closes with Elphaba summoning her broom and declaring, “I’m off to see the wizard,” a twist on Dorothy’s line.
Although there was no live performance at the event, two key songs, “For Good” and “No Good Deed” were featured in the preview. Composer Stephen Schwartz has also added two new tracks, one each for Elphaba and Glinda.
The film, due out November 21, builds on the first Wicked film’s success. That movie earned over £590 million (₹6,130 crore) globally and picked up 10 Oscar nominations, including nods for both Grande and Erivo.
A storm is coming — the witches return in Wicked: For GoodInstagram/WickedMovie
While the visuals promise grandeur, at its core, Wicked: For Good is about the complicated friendship between two very different women torn apart by politics, magic and power, but still connected by a deep emotional bond.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.