As fans of Wicked look forward to the second part of the witches of Oz’s origin story, Michelle Yeoh is explaining why the movie was split into two big-screen parts.
We shot Wicked and Wicked: For Good at the same time. Was very brave.
the actress, 63, says during an exclusive chat with PEOPLE about her voice role in the upcoming English-language version of the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 (in theaters Aug. 22). The franchise’s distributor and producer, Universal Pictures, she quips
Giving a shout-out to Wicked director Jon M. Chu, producer Marc Platt, and co-stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey, Yeoh remembers talks about how to bring Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz’s long-running Broadway musical (based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 prequel to L. Frank Baum’s Oz) to the screen.
Is very much like the musical, you know? You have part one, intermission, part two. I think there was talk: ‘Maybe we should just [squish] it together.’ There’s so many nuances. After you saw Wicked One, you felt, ‘I saw a complete film — but I want to know more about what’s gonna happen next.’
Splitting the stage show into two movies, she says, Although, the Oscar winner adds, But ultimately the team decided to spread the story out.
As for what’s coming in Wicked: For Good (in theaters Nov. 21), the actress playing the mysterious Madame Morrible can only give a hint.
I think you’re getting some new songs. I didn’t say that.
Yeoh says, confirming what Schwartz revealed to PEOPLE at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June. She jokes
Last November’s Wicked, after impressing critics and smashing the box office, became the highest-grossing stage-to-screen adaptation ever, winning two Oscars and earning 10 total nominations at the 2025 ceremony.
Yeoh — who recently supported Erivo at her Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar — confirms the cast has stayed close through filming and promotion.
But I normally prefer individual chats.
They do have a group chat, the Everything Everywhere All at Once star says
Yeoh’s other upcoming projects include the Avatar sequels. She also voices Lady Yin in the English-language version of Ne Zha 2, which hits U.S. theaters on Aug. 22. Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters on Nov. 21.
Source: PEOPLE