‘Wicked’ Sequels Being Figured Out at Universal Pictures: ‘Things Are Underway’ to See How ‘We Can Continue in This Universe’

After “Wicked: For Good’s” record-breaking start at the box office, Universal Pictures is ready for more stories set in the Land of Oz. Michael Moses, the studio’s chief marketing officer, told Vulture that “things” are “underway” to continue the “Wicked” franchise on screen. Whether that means a new movie or a television series remains to be seen, but Universal is clearly interested in expanding the world of “Wicked” and keeping the franchise very much alive.

“Because of ‘Wicked’s’ success but also the fanship, we have almost a responsibility to figure out how we can continue in this universe,” Moses said. “Have we figured it out yet? No. But there are things underway.”

Moses’ comment follows a recent revelation from Stephen Schwartz, who wrote and composed all of the “Wicked” songs for the musical. He told The Ankler that he already has an idea for a new “Wicked”-related project based on an idea he’s been cooking up with the musical’s book writer Winnie Holzman.

“I think the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete — but there are other aspects that could be explored,” Schwartz said. “Gregory Maguire, the original ‘Wicked’ novelist, has several books, for example. But there’s another idea that Winnie and I are discussing: not a sequel, but an adjunct. Let me put it that way.”

“Wicked” is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” To Schwartz’s point, Maguire has written eight sequel novels, so there’s no shortage of material to pull from for a potential new movie. Maguire’s most recent novel was published this year and was an Elphaba prequel story titled “Elphie: A Wicked Childhood.” News broke shortly after “Wicked: For Good” opened in theaters that Maguire is set to release a Glinda prequel story, “Galinda: A Charmed Childhood,” in 2026.

Whether or not Universal plans to have Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande back as Elphaba and Glinda remains a question mark, although that seems unlikely if Schwartz feels “the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete.” The fan adoration for the two actors in these roles has propelled the “Wicked” movies to box office highs, with “Wicked: For Good” setting a new opening record for a Broadway adaptation with $147 million at the domestic box office. The movie opened to $223 million worldwide. The two films are now guaranteed to cross the $1 billion mark during “For Good’s” second weekend in theaters. It’s been an extraordinary success for Universal, which spent roughly $550 million to produce and market both movies.