3 Minutes
Wicked's World Grows Beyond Elphaba and Glinda
Universal Pictures is quietly building a larger cinematic universe around Wicked, the stage-to-screen musical phenomenon that traces its roots back to Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel and the beloved 2003 Broadway score by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. Following last year's big-screen adaptation and this week's sequel, Wicked: For Good, studio and creative teams appear to be mapping out more stories set in the land of Oz rather than simply making a straight third installment.
Wicked: For Good reunites Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland, with Winnie Holzman and Dina Fox co-writing the script and Stephen Schwartz returning as composer, lyricist, and executive producer. Though critics gave the sequel mixed reviews, early box office projections suggested it could secure one of 2025’s largest openings — a reminder of the enduring commercial appetite for musicals translated to film.
What the New Projects Might Mean
Stephen Schwartz recently told The Ankler that he and Holzman are developing ideas that won’t be direct continuations of Elphaba and Glinda’s arc. Their approach indicates an intent to mine untapped corners of Maguire’s Oz mythology (and possibly other related novels) or to create companion pieces that expand the franchise’s scope. That opens doors to origin stories, spin-offs centered on secondary characters, or even prequels and anthological episodes that explore political, social, and magical histories of Oz.
This strategy mirrors other contemporary moves in film and TV: studios increasingly prefer building IP ecosystems — think of the Marvel model or Warner Bros.'s expansions around classic properties — rather than one-off sequels. For musicals specifically, the market has seen successful cinematic franchises and adaptations like Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!, which prove that songs plus serialized storytelling can attract repeat audiences.
Behind the Scenes and Fan Reaction
Fans of the musical have been especially vocal online, dissecting casting choices, costume continuity, and how the films translate stage spectacle into cinematic scale. Trivia buffs will enjoy that Wicked itself was a reinterpretation of L. Frank Baum’s Oz canon long before it landed on Broadway — and that the classic 1939 Judy Garland film remains an enduring cultural touchstone that these new productions often reference visually and thematically.
Critically, expanding the Oz universe will be a balancing act: keeping the emotional core of Elphaba and Glinda's story intact while offering fresh angles strong enough to justify new entries. With John M. Chu attached to the franchise and a slate of high-profile actors involved, the next phase of Wicked on screen will be as much about creative risk as it is about box office strategy.
In short, don’t be surprised if Wicked becomes a broader cinematic franchise — not just a trilogy. Expect more spin-offs, perhaps unexpected tones, and an ongoing conversation between stage purists and movie audiences about what Oz should look and sound like today.
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