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Ariana Grande and Young Glinda Star Reunite as ‘Wicked: For Good’ eyes Academy Awards
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Despite failing to secure any wins at the 2026 Golden Globes, the cinematic adaptation of the beloved broadway musical Wicked remains in contention for recognition at the 98th Academy Awards in early March, offering another possibility for its stars to shine. The latest heartwarming moment from the Wicked universe involves a reunion between Ariana Grande, who reprised her role as Glinda the Good Witch, and Scarlett Spears, who portrayed the younger version of the character in flashback sequences.
A Dual Casting Choice Reflects the Story’s Structure
The decision to split the role of Glinda/Galinda across two actresses mirrored the narrative structure of the first Wicked film,which featured Karis Musongole as young Elphaba before transitioning to Cynthia Erivo‘s portrayal of the character as an adult. Wicked: For Good introduced spears as the younger Galinda, providing a glimpse into the character’s formative years. According to reports from Billboard, the two Glindas recently crossed paths ahead of the Golden Globes ceremony, capturing an “adorable” moment.
Spears’ Rising Star Power
2025 proved to be a breakout year for Spears, who not only landed the role of young Galinda but also made her film debut as Young Dora Márquez in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, currently available for streaming on Paramount+. While Wicked: For Good garnered significant attention, one source noted the importance of recognizing Spears’ contributions to the film and her attendance at industry events like the Golden Globes.
Awards Season Continues
Although Wicked: For Good received four Golden Globes nominations – including one for Grande as Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – it did not take home any awards. However, optimism remains high for potential recognition at the Academy Awards. A hopeful sentiment surrounds the possibility of Spears also being invited to the ceremony, continuing the heartwarming connection between the two actresses.
A Star-Studded Cast and Box Office Performance
Grande and Erivo were joined by an ensemble cast including Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, and Bronwyn James. Colman Domingo and Bethany Weaver rounded out the cast as the Fearful Lion and Dorothy Gale,respectively.Despite the impressive lineup, Wicked: For good received a more mixed critical reception and underperformed at the box office compared to its predecessor, grossing $522.5 million worldwide versus the first film’s $758.8 million.
The Future of the Wicked Franchise
Despite the completion of the two-part cinematic adaptation,speculation persists regarding a potential third Wicked movie and the expansion of the Wicked brand into a broader media franchise. Time.news will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as thay emerge. In the meantime, audiences can anticipate the streaming release of Wicked
