With the record-shattering debut of "Wicked: For Good" at the box office, Universal Pictures is poised to delve deeper into the enchanting realm of Oz. Michael Moses, the studio's chief marketing officer, hinted to Vulture that "things are in the works" to continue the "Wicked" franchise on the big screen. While the precise form—a fresh movie or a television series—is yet to be determined, Universal's enthusiasm for expanding the "Wicked" universe is palpable.
Moses emphasized, "Given 'Wicked's' remarkable success and the fervent fan base, we feel an almost-obligatory responsibility to figure out how we can continue this narrative. We haven't quite arrived at a conclusion yet, but there are indeed developments afoot."
This comes after a recent revelation from Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist behind the musical's enchanting tunes, who shared with The Ankler that he already has a vision for a new "Wicked"-inspired project, a collaboration with the musical's book writer Winnie Holzman.
Schwartz remarked, "While the story of Glinda and Elphaba feels complete, there are other facets waiting to be explored. Gregory Maguire, the author of the original 'Wicked' novel, has penned several sequels, for instance. But there's another idea brewing between Winnie and me: not a direct sequel but an adjunct—let's put it that way."
Based on Maguire's 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," there's an abundance of material to draw from for a potential new film. Maguire's latest novel, "Elphie: A Wicked Childhood," was published this year, while rumors suggest he is set to release "Galinda: A Charmed Childhood" in 2026.
Whether Universal plans to reunite Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda remains a mystery, though it seems unlikely if Schwartz feels that "the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete." The fans' adoration for these two actors has propelled the "Wicked" movies to box office heights, with "Wicked: For Good" setting a new record for a Broadway adaptation with $147 million domestically and $223 million worldwide. The two films are poised to surpass the $1 billion mark during "For Good's" second weekend in theaters. It's been an extraordinary achievement for Universal, which invested roughly $550 million in producing and marketing both films.
