More Wicked Movies? Composer Stephen Schwartz Confirms New Oz Project Is in Development — but “Not a Sequel”

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The world of Wicked might expand beyond the upcoming Wicked: For Good movie. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz recently shared that he and writer Winnie Holzman are already brainstorming another story set in the land of Oz. This news has led to speculation about whether we could see even more Wicked films in the future.

After the New York premiere of Wicked: For Good, composer Stephen Schwartz explained that the new film isn’t a sequel to the story of Glinda and Elphaba that fans are familiar with.

When asked about a potential sequel, Schwartz admitted he wasn’t convinced there was a good concept to pursue, saying, ‘I’m not even sure the right idea is out there.’

He explained that he and Winnie Holzman are currently brainstorming ideas related to the world of Wicked, but not a direct continuation of Glinda and Elphaba’s story. He feels their story is complete, though other parts of that universe could be interesting to explore. They’re considering a companion piece, something that expands on the existing story rather than a traditional sequel.

He explained that while he’s open to more Wicked movies, any sequel would need a compelling story reason, not just a desire to make more money. So far, no one has pitched him an idea that meets that standard.

These remarks were made shortly before the release of Wicked: For Good, the second movie in Universal’s two-part adaptation. Stephen Oremus, the executive music producer, agreed with Schwartz, emphasizing that For Good isn’t meant to be a typical sequel or part of a continuing series.

“This is not a sequel. It’s just the second part of the story,” Oremus said.

A New Oz Story — Without Glinda and Elphaba?

Schwartz also pointed out that Gregory Maguire’s many books expanding on the world of Oz offer numerous possibilities for stories. However, his new collaboration with Holzman seems to be a fresh idea – a separate story that takes place in the same universe as Wicked, but doesn’t continue its main plot.

Schwartz drew a parallel between the worlds of Oz and Star Wars, pointing out that a detailed and imaginative setting can provide a foundation for many different stories.

He described it as a lively and exciting world, comparing it to the way the Star Wars franchise has inspired many spin-offs and related projects – some of which are fantastic on their own.

Universal hasn’t officially announced any new Wicked movies yet. While the creators, Schwartz and Holzman, are considering continuing the story beyond the planned two films, there are currently no details available about a title, plot, or when development might begin.

Will Universal Greenlight More Wicked Movies?

Schwartz hasn’t made any firm announcements yet, but he has confirmed that the team behind the popular musical series is starting to develop plans for a new story set in the world of Oz.

The first Wicked movie was a huge success, earning over $758 million globally and receiving 10 Academy Award nominations. Because of this, Universal Pictures will definitely be paying close attention to how audiences react to For Good. A strong positive response will likely increase the chances of more Wicked films being made.

Schwartz emphasizes that any upcoming movie needs to be creatively justified, not just profitable.

Until then, fans now know the yellow brick road may still have more twists ahead.

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2025-11-22 19:56