The Cowardly Lion made an appearance in the Wicked: For Good trailer, but the character’s identity was hinted at in the first film.
Fans were introduced to the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. The character, who was famously portrayed by Bert Lahr in the 1939 classic, meets Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s walking down the yellow brick road. Already accompanied by the Scarecrow and Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion joins the group as they seek out the Wizard.
Wicked, which is based on a book and Broadway show, is essentially a prequel to The Wizard of Oz as it tells the backstory of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), Glinda (the Good Witch) and others before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz.
Dorothy and her pals make a brief cameo in the first Wicked film. In the trailer for the sequel, which dropped in September 2025, the characters can be seen approaching the Wizard searching for help to get Dorothy back home to Kansas.
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of the Cowardly Lion’s story in Wicked:
Warning: potential spoilers for Wicked: For Good down below.
Who Is the Cowardly Lion?
Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland, Bert Lahr Everett Collection
When first meeting Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion’s first instinct was to attack. However, after speaking to the group, he confessed that he was fearful and seeking to be courageous. Dorothy invited him along to meet the Wizard.
How Was the Cowardly Lion Introduced in the 1st ‘Wicked’ Movie?
In the first film, a caged lion cub is introduced to Elphaba and her fellow students. Elphaba stands up for the animal, saying it is cruel to keep him in a cage. When the class is mysteriously put to sleep, with the exception of Elphaba and Fiyero, the pair decide to take the cub to the forest and set him free. That same lion cub goes on to become the Cowardly Lion.
Why Is the Cowardly Lion So Scared?
It is implied that the Cowardly Lion’s experience of being locked up in a cage contributed to his fearful nature.
What Does the Cowardly Lion Do in ‘Wicked: For Good?’
In the Wicked: For Good trailer, the Cowardly Lion can be seen as a fully grown lion terrified in the forest. He also appears by Dorothy’s side while they meet the Wizard.
Was There More to the Cowardly Lion in the ‘Wicked’ Books?
In the Wicked book series, which was written by Gregory Maguire, the Cowardly Lion’s real name is Brrr, who was separated from his family as a cub.
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