Another actor has joined the star-studded Wicked cast.
Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo has announced he is the voice of the Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good, releasing later this year. Keep reading to learn more about both Lion and Domingo.
Excitement Around Domingo
Domingo partnered with the Wicked Instagram account on Monday. The short video has Domingo hiding behind a lion stuffed animal before appearing before the camera and saying, “See you in Oz!”
Fans are ecstatic about the news, and they are not the only ones.
Filmmaker Jon M. Chu stated before the announcement: “Man, wait until the red carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It’ll be wild.”
Who is the Cowardly Lion?
The Cowardly Lion was a main character in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. In last year’s Wicked, the lion is the young cub Elphaba and Fiyero save after the new professor brings him in a cage to class.
The new professor replaced Dr. Dillamond, and he brings the cub to show if an animal is imprisoned it will never learn to speak.
Elphaba is enraged by the callousness of the professor, and a burst of her magic stops time long enough for her and Fiyero to grab the cub and set it free in the woods.
His Role in Wicked: For Good
In the newest film Wicked: For Good, the cub is fully grown into the Cowardly Lion. He blames Elphaba for his current situation.
The trailer also shows a brief snippet of the lion with Dorothy, the Tin Man, and Scarecrow as they head down the Yellow Brick Road in search of the Wizard.
In the Broadway musical, he doesn’t have a large part, so it will be interesting to see his role in the 2025 installment.
Other Actors in Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good will follow its predessor, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the two leads, portraying Elphaba Throp and Glinda Upland, respectively.
Other cast members to welcome back to the stage include Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose Throp, Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and Bronwyn James as ShenShen.
Of course, we are still waiting on cast announcements for roles such as Dorothy and Dr. Dillamond.
Upcoming Roles for Coleman Domingo
Before Wicked: For Good hits theaters, Domingo will be gracing our screens in two projects. These are Edgar Wright’s The Running Man, and Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire.
Past Notable Roles
Domingo has appeared in a range of series and films. These include the lead in Rustin, Ali in Euphoria, Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead, and Mister in The Color Purple.
Other media he appears in includes Selma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Zola, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
When Does Wicked: For Good Premiere?
Wicked: For Good premieres in theaters on November 21st, 2025.
Select theaters may have a double screening of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, back-to-back, with a short break in-between.