Wicked drops surprise cameo from Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel

Chenoweth and Menzel show off their hilarious and iconic chemistry as two Ozian mages with backgrounds in the history of magic; this exposition both explains the meaning of “Grimmery” and the power it has for the audience, and also sets up the scene in which Elphaba inadvertently casts a spell from the book to give wings to the ape servants.

During the new scene (which is longer than expected, a real treat for fans), there are hilarious moments in which Menzel sings his classic version of the “battle cry” riff from “Defying Gravity”, Menzel and Chenoweth frequently interrupting each other and fighting for space on stage, and Chenoweth puts his hand over Grande’s mouth as she tries to join in on the vocals.

Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel starred as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the original Broadway musical in 2003. Ahead of the film adaptation’s release, Chenoweth and Menzel coyly sidestepped questions about potential cameos.

“(I) can’t confirm or deny,” Chenoweth said. Us weekly October 30. “I can’t do either of those things, but I can say that I know I speak for Idina, and I both (when I speak) … we’re both very happy for the girls. We can’t wait to see how they play these characters.”

And Chenoweth and Menzel aren’t the only cameos in the film: The musical’s composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz also makes a surprise appearance as a palace guard in the Emerald City who utters the iconic line, “The Wizard will see you now!” in “One Short Day”.

Evil: Part Two will be released in US theaters almost exactly a year from now. November 21, 2025. Find out everything you need to know about the upcoming two-part sequel. Here.