While “Defying Gravity” set the world alight thanks to its use in the first movie’s marketing, Bowen Yang says a key Wicked: For Good track will do so even more. Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s classic Broadway adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s Wizard of Oz prequel has been split into two parts for the movie adaptation, with the first following Glinda and Elphaba’s early relationship at Shiz University before the latter became the Wicked Witch of the West. The first Wicked ended on “Defying Gravity”, the climax of the musical’s first act, in which Elphaba flies away and vows to fight The Wizard.
During an interview with People for his remake of the romantic comedy The Wedding Banquet, Yang was asked about how Wicked: For Good would build on the success of the first movie, particularly with its music. The returning star offered a very enthusiastic tease about the sequel’s depiction of “For Good”, believing it will surpass the success of “Defying Gravity” in the first movie and the “astronomical expectations” for it. Check out what Yang shared below:

The same way that everybody expected “Defying Gravity” to be this big moment — but to such a degree that everyone was like, “Well, how can it outdo these expectations?” — and then it did. I feel like it’s going to be that same situation with the song “For Good.” It’s just like, you’re going to see it coming and then when it happens, you’re going to be like, “I can’t believe what I’m watching.” It’s going to subvert the already astronomical expectations.

What This Means For Wicked: For Good’s Titular Song Depiction

It’s A Very Emotional Beat For Its Characters

“Defying Gravity” was certainly one of the biggest expectations from the first Wicked, particularly after it was used in nearly every trailer for the movie, as well as even in extra marketing, including Cynthia Erivo’s Target commercial appearance. However, it was also an important part of Elphie and Glinda’s journey, as the two came to terms with not only how the Wizard was turning the former into the villain of Oz, but that it could very well be the last time they saw each other at all.

Related

8 Ways Wicked’s Ending Sets Up Wicked: For Good’s Story

Wicked: For Good is the second part of 2024’s smash-hit musical, and many of the film’s most important plot points were teased in the first part’s end

Yang’s indication that “For Good” is aiming to surpass “Defying Gravity”‘s popularity was something that already seemed to be a focus of the sequel’s creative team when it was revealed to be named Wicked: For Good. In the musical, the song comes near the climax of its story, with it serving as Glinda and Elphie’s emotional farewell as the Citizens of Oz declare war on the latter. Though not exactly the finale of the play, which was appropriately titled “Finale”, it did serve as an important thematic and emotional beat for the two.
Just from a thematic standpoint, “For Good” has all of the elements to surpass “Defying Gravity” in popularity after Wicked: For Good’s release. Now, it’ll ultimately come down to the actual execution of the song both in the film and in its marketing, with Universal likely to include it to some degree in the trailers. Given how successful the first movie was in its musical nature, though, it does seem likely the returning team of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and various behind-the-scenes composers and directors will do so again.
Our Take On “For Good” Overtaking “Defying Gravity”‘s Success

It Is A Pretty High Bar To Clear

Universal Pictures

For those who loved the source musical, every song is likely to be considered an important one to successfully translate to the screen, though it’s hard to deny that the narrative importance of both “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” were key to Wicked’s success. Ending the first movie on the former song really brought with it not only plenty of room to breathe, but also a really powerful note to keep audiences hooked for the next movie. Since Wicked: For Good will likely be the end of Elphie and Glinda’s journeys, having “For Good” be another major set piece will be important.
Source: People

Wicked: For Good

Release Date

November 26, 2025

Director

Jon M. Chu

Writers

Winnie Holzman, Gregory Maguire, L. Frank Baum, Dana Fox