Taylor Swift Not in Wicked; New Cast Eyed

If you journey down the yellow brick road until November this year, you'll discover who portrays Dorothy in the highly anticipated sequel "Wicked: For Good." One thing's certain: it won't be Taylor Swift.

The first official trailer for "For Good" has arrived, offering a brief rear view of Dorothy without revealing the actress. This didn't stop social media from circulating rumors about Swift's involvement, with some parody accounts even sharing fabricated AI images of the singer in Dorothy's iconic costume.

Given Swift's packed schedule during the Eras Tour while both "Wicked" films were in production, her appearance seems unlikely. Industry insiders have long speculated about the frontrunner for the role: "Abigail" star Alisha Weir.

The 15-year-old actress, known for her standout performances in "Matilda the Musical" and "Wicked Little Letters," has emerged as the top contender. Her appearance at the "Wicked" premiere wearing silver shoes (the original color of Dorothy's ruby slippers) only fueled speculation about her casting.

Weir has skillfully dodged direct confirmation in interviews while maintaining intrigue. Director Jon M. Chu has hinted that Dorothy's role expands significantly in "For Good" compared to the stage production.

"I won't confirm her exact involvement," Chu told Huffington Post UK in November 2024. "While respecting each viewer's personal Dorothy, there will be meaningful interactions. The details will unfold in Part Two."

Alisha Weir, star of "Abigail," is the favored choice for Dorothy

Official synopsis:

Acclaimed director Jon M. Chu returns with Oscar-nominated leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in this climactic chapter of Oz's untold story. The witches stand divided, living with the consequences of their choices.

Elphaba (Erivo), now branded the Wicked Witch of the West, fights from exile to liberate Oz's oppressed Animals and expose the Wizard's (Jeff Goldblum) deceptions.

Glinda (Grande) basks as Emerald City's beloved figurehead under Madame Morrible's (Michelle Yeoh) guidance, her celebrity masking growing unease about the Wizard's regime.

As Glinda prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), her fractured bond with Elphaba resurfaces. Reconciliation attempts backfire, altering Boq (Ethan Slater) and Fiyero's fates, while endangering Nessarose (Marissa Bode) - until a Kansas girl disrupts everything.