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IT has been almost three years since production started on the two blockbuster Wicked movies.

And with less than six months to go until the second instalment hits screens, The Sun can reveal Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been called back to London to shoot last-minute additional scenes.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicked."
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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been called back to London to film last-minute scenes for WickedCredit: Getty
Elphaba and Galinda from the Wicked movie.
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The two-film project is based on the Broadway musical and the first instalment made more than £660million at the box officeCredit: Alamy

Key members of the cast returned to the UK to work on a scene set at Shiz University - which was at the centre of last year’s first film - after filmmakers realised they didn’t have a key moment for the flick, which is titled Wicked: For Good.

My movie mole said: “Filming wrapped in January last year for work on both movies because they were shot at the same time.

“But the second film is a lot more complex than the first, and it quickly became clear in the edit that they needed everyone back.

“It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds more to bring the team together again but it’s vital for the film to make sense.

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“The first film did so well that there’s even more pressure on this one to succeed.

“Despite it being a headache to find a date which worked for everyone’s busy schedules, Ariana and Cynthia couldn’t be happier to get back into costume one more time.

“They have made it clear they’d move heaven and earth to make it a success.

“It’s out in November though, so the team has a race on their hands to get it finished in time.”

The two-film project is based on the Broadway musical and the first instalment made more than £660million at the box office, becoming one of 2024’s biggest cinema hits.

That film ended with Cynthia’s character Elphaba turning against the Wizard of Oz and her pal Galinda, played by Ariana.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring Oscars A-listers to tears after emotional Defying Gravity in Wicked opening medley

And there will be even more drama in the next movie, which a handful of new songs have been written for to bolster the soundtrack.

Speaking about it in February, Ariana said: “It’s very special. It’s very emotional.

“I think the second movie really embodies unconditional love and forgiveness and friendship. And you’ll have to wait and see, but it is quite different.” 

The countdown is on.

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