By the close of 2024, Wicked was everywhere: memes, interviews, praises, you name it. Fans were perched on the edge, breathless with every new rumor about Wicked 2. And in a world where trailers are churned out like clockwork, the creators of Wicked 2 were toying with fans, deliberately withholding its trailer, creating a deliciously maddening sense of mystery. But here is the kicker: it was not all part of the plan.

The trailer almost dropped at the Super Bowl, but due to some unexpected snafus, it was pulled from fans' screens at the last minute, stealing the opportunity to get a glimpse of Wicked 2's trailer.  

Dropping a bombshell, the director of Wicked 2 revealed that fans were set to experience the trailer during the Super Bowl this year, only for the plan to be cut from the nip. At the 2025 Writer's Guild of America Awards, Wicked 2 director Jon M. Chu revealed to ScreenRant that the trailer was not released due to technical difficulties. “In order for me to have gotten a trailer for the Super Bowl, I would’ve had to turn over visual effects months ago, while we were still in the middle of edits,” said Chu.

Not to mention that Super Bowl commercials are notoriously expensive, $7 million for a mere 30-second spot. And movie studios, in their rush to perfect trailers, often find themselves battling against tight post-production deadlines. Wicked 2 was not immune to that crunch, but the delay only added fuel to the excitement. But those who believe the delay might hurt Wicked 2 are missing the bigger picture.  

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This movie is playing a long game, and it is far from a setback.

Delaying the Wicked 2 trailer is a brilliant strategy for building anticipation. Keeping fans on the edge of their seats taps into that unshakable craving for more, much like the slow release of The Dark Knight’s trailer. While this teasing approach works, the delay may also be tied to promoting the film's Oscar nominations. Fans along with Cynthia Erivo hope Ariana Grande wins an Oscar, especially after her Grammy snub, this strategy could act as a boost for her. By holding off on the trailer, Wicked 2 is perfectly timing its move, maximizing both suspense and strategic award-season buzz. 

Wicked 2’s trailer delay has proven to be a strategic move, turning curiosity into an unforgettable build-up. With every passing moment, anticipation grows, and the film's careful handling of suspense is only fueling excitement for what is to come.  

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Are you excited about Wicked 2's trailer release? Let us know in the comments down below.