Fans of the magical land of Oz are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the two-part film adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked, but rumors are already swirling about what comes next. Following the box office success of the first film and with Wicked: For Good set to premiere on November 21, 2025, speculation about a third movie has begun to surface. While director Jon M. Chu is currently focused on finishing the sequel, conversations about expanding the universe have started.
The Source of the Rumors
Talk of a potential third Wicked movie began from a post by entertainment insider MyTimeToShineHello on the social media platform X. The user claimed that Universal Pictures is exploring the possibility of a Wicked 3, even though the upcoming Wicked: For Good is expected to cover the concluding events of the original Broadway musical. This has led to questions about what story a new film could possibly tell. The rumor suggests that these are early-stage discussions, and no official plans have been announced by the studio.
What Could a Third Movie Be About?
The two-part film series has closely followed the story of the 2003 Broadway musical, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. However, Maguire’s literary world extends much further. His The Wicked Years novel series includes three sequels: Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz.
These books continue the story beyond the events of The Wizard of Oz, introducing new characters and exploring the legacy of Elphaba, particularly through her son, Liir. The novels explore darker and more complex themes than the musical, following Liir as he searches for his place in a fractured Oz and introducing Nor, the daughter of Fiyero, as a key character. Adapting this material would require significant changes to align with the more hopeful tone of the musical films, but it offers a potential roadmap for future stories.
What the Creative Team Has Said
Composer Stephen Schwartz and screenwriter Winnie Holzman, who penned the book for the original musical and is writing the films, have acknowledged having conversations about expanding the Wicked film universe. However, they have been careful to note that any continuation would not simply be called Wicked Part Three or Part Four. This suggests that while the world of Oz might grow, it may not be a direct continuation of the current story.
Director Jon M. Chu is currently living in what he describes as “two timelines,” simultaneously promoting the first Wicked film during awards season while editing the sequel. His public comments have been entirely focused on completing the story he set out to tell with Wicked: For Good. He has not commented on the new rumors, and his energy appears dedicated to the November release.
The Official Focus Remains on Wicked: For Good
For now, the confirmed future of the franchise is the second film. The official title, Wicked: For Good, was announced in December 2024, named after the emotional farewell duet between Glinda and Elphaba. The film will cover the second act of the stage musical, showing Elphaba as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda as the Good Witch working for the Wizard, ultimately leading into the events of the classic The Wizard of Oz.
“It is a much more mature, emotional journey about the consequences of the hard choices that you make, and it’s really about them trying to get back together in some way,” director Jon M. Chu said in a recent featurette.
With the final trailer released and marketing campaigns in full swing, the studio’s immediate priority is the success of Wicked: For Good. Whether a third film moves forward will likely depend on how audiences around the world respond to the second installment when it arrives in theaters.
Also Read: Why Dorothy’s Face Is Not Shown in Wicked: For Good, According to Director Jon M. Chu
