Colman Domingo's surprise casting in upcoming ‘Wicked’ sequel delights fans

Colman Domingo has been cast as the Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good, the sequel to 2024’s hit musical film Wicked.

The announcement was made via the film's Instagram with a playful video of Domingo surrounded by lion plush toys, ending with him saying, “See you in Oz.”

Director Jon M. Chu revealed he approached the Rustin star directly via Instagram. “It’s not a ton of lines,” Chu said, but Domingo quickly responded, “Why the f--- not. Let’s go.”

Domingo joins a high-profile cast including Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. 

Other cast members include Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Michelle Yeoh.

A two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner, the actor was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2024.

Wicked: For Good picks up after Glinda and Elphaba’s parting, with Elphaba now an enemy of Oz and Glinda a controlled public figure.

The trailer teases the arrival of Dorothy, hinting at a larger role than in the original musical though her casting remains unconfirmed.

The films are based on the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. Both movies were filmed simultaneously at Sky Studios Elstree, with production briefly halted by the 2023 actors’ strike.

Wicked was the UK’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and won Oscars for costume and production design. The sequel releases 21 November 2025.