Holy Oz – is there going to be a wicked 3?

Wicked For Good has not even been out for ten days and there is already speculation about a next installment. Yes, seriously. That the second (and for now last) part of the musical film adaptation would be a success is not really a secret. After those Oscars and the praise for the first film, it was inevitable that this one would also steal the hearts of every viewer. I thought it was really amazing, but something else was also bubbling in my mind: would there be another part? This is just too good to not do anything with. But that musical only has two parts, right? That's correct, but there is still so much more in the Wicked universe that can be played with. Even the director thinks so.

Concrete evidence: is a part three confirmed?

No, unfortunately we are not there yet. But there are certainly hints that could indicate a sequel for these beloved characters. And yes, with that open ending, anything is possible. Ariana said that ‘we can count on there being another farewell tour.’ She really doesn't think Glinda is going anywhere. And Michelle Yeoh? The Madame Morrible? She said she would immediately agree to a third film: “Why would I ever say no to Jon?” Because yes, director Jon M. Chu always has some concepts. His daughter wrote in her diary about ‘Wicked 3’ and he thought that idea was pretty good. “So yes, I wrote that down. You never know if there will be a third film.” And at the New York premiere of Wicked For Good, he said that ‘there are a lot of ideas floating around at the moment.’.

But not everyone thinks that a sequel with this story is a good idea. Saturday Night Live star and Wicked actor Bowen Yang thinks that this is really the end of the yellow brick road: “I think we should leave it at this. I will pitch a Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead-like spin-off with my and Bronwyn James’ character.” Good plan, Bowen. Mmm... Whether this spin-off will happen is the question, but the author of the Wicked books, Gregory Maguire, knows nothing about it: “If there are discussions, then I'm not directly involved, so I don't know.”

Whether there will be a part three is therefore in his hands, because there are certainly ideas. Gregory has four other books that can be used, but Universal does not have the rights to those. “If I never sell the rights to anything else, then so be it.” He is interested, but he is not greedy. According to him, it is good as it is. “What if I wasn't happy with what was proposed? Does this dilute the moral story? Or is it just a money grab? I don't know yet, but I'm not hanging on the phone hoping someone will call.”

And then there is also Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of the Wicked musical based on Gregory's books. He is certainly working on something secret, but according to him, it is not Wicked part three or four. So... a spin-off could theoretically happen.

What kind of spin-offs could still come?

There is still so much to tell about the Wicked universe. Whether you are talking about Gregory's five books or the fourteen The Wizard of Oz books written by Frank Baum: there is enough material to play with and to create spin-offs.

So, just imagine. Gregory would indeed sell the rights to his books to Universal... What stories could we then expect?

Son of a Witch

Gregory's books end differently than Wicked For Good. Here (spoiler) Elphaba is not saved by Fiyero, but actually dies when Dorothy kills her. And Fiyero? He dies and it is never really confirmed that he became the Scarecrow afterwards. This book starts even before Elphaba is actually killed. Here she goes mad with grief now that Fiyero has passed away. She goes to his wife (because yes, he was apparently married to someone else) and finds out there that she is pregnant. After that, we follow her and Fiyero's son, Liir, who returns to Oz ten years after his mother's death.

A Lion Among Men

This is part three in The Wicked Years. After Wicked and Son of a Witch, we now learn everything about the cowardly lion. What has he experienced after Elphaba once freed him from his cage?

Out of Oz

This dark story is about the complex history of the magical land of Oz, told from the perspective of Elphaba's grandchild, Rain.

Elphie a Wicked Childhood

This story takes place thirty years before the events of Wicked. We see how young Elphaba grew up in a racist world and under the terror of her father. We see how she interacted with animals, how jealous she was, and how she eventually ended up at Shiz University.

Although no rights have been purchased yet, these stories could be used for one or more spin-offs. You never know.

And what about those books by Frank Baum?

There is certainly enough in there to expand the world of Oz, right? Certainly. All kinds of characters return in the books, so there can really be worked with. Here we follow various adventures that Dorothy and other characters experience in Oz. From defeating an evil king, rescuing people from slavery, or finding a missing princess – there is enough material to expand the world of Oz.

What do you think? Do you want to dive more into the world of Oz, or have you actually seen enough after Wicked For Good? I think Elphie: A Wicked Childhood or Son of a Witch would be the most fun for a sequel. I'm curious about her youth. And let's be honest: who doesn't want to see more of Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero? Exactly.