Colman Domingo as The Lion Boosts Casting Oscar Prospect

Days after Director Jon M. Chu teased in a Deadline interview that the Cowardly Lion would be played by a surprise star, Oscar veteran Colman Domingo has been revealed as the voice of the character in Wicked: For Good. The announcement has already drawn buzz across both Film Twitter and trades alike, as the Sing Sing star joins Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum in a star-studded ensemble.

The news instantly elevates the pedigree of the film, which is currently in 91% of Award Expert users’ Best Picture predictions. It also potentially boosts Wicked's chances of receiving a Best Casting nomination, where the film is seen as a strong contender with 72% predicting a nomination. The addition of Domingo should help the film maintain steady momentum in the category throughout the coming months.

Will the Casting Branch Penalize Sequels?

Long before Domingo’s casting, Wicked: For Good divided pundits over whether it would receive support for Best Casting. On one hand, both Wicked films were shot back-to-back, meaning the sequel didn't have a separate casting call. On the other, the first was unable to compete, so this could be seen as rewarding both parts. If the prize existed for the 97th Academy Awards, Wicked: Part One would have likely been a strong contender, boasting an ensemble of established Hollywood stars and introducing Ariana Grande as a major talent in film.

Domingo's addition could help assert the sequel’s individuality. As Academy voters negotiate whether the sequel merits its own recognition, Domingo gives Wicked a new voice and, more importantly, a reason to see the ensemble as evolved rather than inherited.

Wicked's Standing in the Best Casting Race

Looking at the full Best Casting leaderboard (see at page bottom), the overlap between our Best Picture leaderboard is quite striking. The top six films are identical across both, suggesting that users associate casting with overall prestige. This contrasts sharply with technical categories like Makeup and Hairstyling and Visual Effects, where our users have films like 28 Years Later, Superman, and The Fantastic 4: First Steps in contention despite being far outside of the Best Picture race.

The bottom half of the Best Casting leaderboard tells another story, however, as it includes films with hefty ensembles but weaker Best Picture prospects, like Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Springsteen Deliver Me from Nowhere, Jay Kelly, and A House of Dynamite. The question remains whether members of the Casting branch consider the vast ensembles of non-Best Picture films, or vote in line with their favorites?

This makes the state of Wicked: For Good all the more secure, as it is both firmly within the Best Picture conversation and has a deep ensemble cast, covering territory in both camps.

Domingo, a Two-Time Oscar Nominee, Lends Prestige

Domingo’s addition may strengthen the awards profile of Wicked: For Good in less tangible ways. His recent Oscar recognition, with nominations in both 2024 and 2025 for Sing Sing and Rustin, adds further prestige to the film.

With all of this in mind, Wicked: For Good remains an underdog to outright win Best Casting, but maintains a steady presence in the nomination conversation. The sheer weight of its cast allows the film to hold its own among heavy hitters like Sinners and One Battle After Another.