Colman Domingo will voice the iconic Cowardly Lion in the upcoming film Wicked: For Good. The casting was officially announced on October 20, 2025.
This reveal follows director John M. Chu’s hint just days prior. Chu told Deadline on October 16 that he had directly messaged a prominent actor for the role.
The director described the quick acceptance, quoting the actor saying, "Why the hell not?, Let’s go!" Chu also teased a "crazy" red carpet moment for the actor.
The Cowardly Lion appeared in the Wicked: For Good trailer, with his identity hinted at in the first Wicked film. Wicked functions as a prequel, detailing the story of Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy’s arrival.
Fans first met the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Bert Lahr portrayed the character in the 1939 classic, joining Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man on their journey. In the original story, the lion confessed his fear and sought courage from the Wizard.
Wicked provides an origin story for the character. In the first film, Elphaba and Fiyero free a caged lion cub. This cub later grows into the Cowardly Lion.
The experience of being caged is implied to be a contributing factor to his fearful nature. In Gregory Maguire’s Wicked book series, the lion is named Brrr and was separated from his family as a cub.
The Wicked: For Good trailer, released in September 2025, shows an adult and terrified Cowardly Lion in the forest. He is also seen with Dorothy during her encounter with the Wizard.
Dorothy and her companions also made a brief cameo appearance in the first Wicked movie. They are shown approaching the Wizard for help in returning Dorothy home to Kansas.