Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo becomes the part of the cast of Wicked: For Good as the Cowardly Lion. The character was hinted at on the official Wicked Instagram, with Domingo hiding behind a stuffed lion and mentioning, "See you in Oz!" The narrative follows the Lion's path from a cub rescued by Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) to a grown character going through his past grievances.
Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo has officially become part of the of Wicked: For Good, taking on the character of the Cowardly Lion.
The news was shared on the official Wicked Instagram account on Monday, where Domingo hid behind a stuffed lion before revealing his face and mentioning:
"See you in Oz!"
The Cowardly Lion, originally a major character in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, presents in Wicked as a cub rescued by Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). In the narrative, the young cub has been in prison by a new professor after Dr. Dillamond is taken away, making him unable to speak. Elphaba's powers make a chance for her and Fiyero to free the cub within the forest.
In Wicked: For Good, the cub matures into the Cowardly Lion, who harbors resentment toward Elphaba for his previous experiences. With timelines intersecting with The Wizard of Oz, the Lion is watched traveling with Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow down the Yellow Brick Road to confront the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The role also appears in the musical number "March of the Witchhunters," though, as in the Broadway production, he has a limited character role.
Wicked: For Good brings back many familiar faces:
Universal Pictures will introduce Wicked: For Good in theaters nationwide on November 21, 2025.