Bowen Yang thinks the “Wicked” series has reached the end of its yellow brick road. When the “Wicked” actor and “Saturday Night Live” star was asked about the possibility of a third “Wicked” film being greenlit, Yang offered an answer that seemed satisfied with how “Wicked: For Good” leaves things off.
“I think we leave it here,” Yang told Variety’s Marc Malkin during Variety On the Carpet presented by Lexus, before playing along with the prospect of a spinoff. “I’m going to pitch a ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead’ story with my and Bronwyn James’ characters, [Pfannee and ShenShen].”
“Wicked: For Good,” the follow-up to last year’s “Wicked,” adapts the second (and final) act of the Broadway musical. As of now, there are no expectations for a third film in the “Wicked” universe, with the duology’s story ending where the stage show’s does. Series director Jon M. Chu gave his own tentative response when asked about the potential for a third “Wicked” film.
“What’s it about?” Chu said. “You know, there’s a lot of ideas flying around right now. … We’ll see. Let’s enjoy this ride first.”
Yang also expressed excitement that his “Wicked” co-star, Ariana Grande, is returning to “Saturday Night Live” to host in December — with Cher on board as musical guest.
“I cannot wait. I’m so glad that we have her presence there,” Yang said about Cher, calling her his “dream host.” “Ariana definitely has a good Cher impression. We’ve had ‘Christopher Walken Reunion’ [sketch] where everyone has a Cher impression. I’m going to pitch a ‘Cher Family Reunion’ for Christmas time. Everyone has a Cher impression.”
Though Cynthia Erivo and Grande were both on the carpet for the New York City premiere, neither was available for interviews. Universal reps reached out to media Monday morning to inform them that Erivo wasn’t “feeling well and has lost her voice.” Grande skipped interviews in solidarity with her co-star.
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Along with Erivo and Grande, “Wicked” co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum were all in attendance for the New York premiere.
“Wicked: For Good” releases to theaters on Friday.
From Variety US