With “Wicked: For Good” now enchanting audiences in theaters and potentially heading toward record-breaking box office numbers, the inevitable question has emerged: Will there be a “Wicked 3”? The answer is complicated, tantalizing, and frustratingly vague—exactly what you’d expect from a story about witches, magic, and the politics of Oz.
The Cast Is… Undecided
When asked about a potential third film, the “Wicked” team has offered responses ranging from definitive nos to cryptic maybes that would make the Wizard himself proud.
Bowen Yang, who plays Pfannee alongside Bronwyn James’ ShenShen, seemed ready to close the curtain on the franchise. “I think we leave it here,” Yang told Variety’s Marc Malkin during the film’s New York premiere, though he couldn’t resist pitching a spinoff: “I’m going to pitch a ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead’ story with my and Bronwyn James’ characters.”
Ariana Grande, who brings Glinda to sparkling life, offered the most intriguing tease during a Q&A session. “I don’t think anyone’s going anywhere,” she said, before quickly backtracking when pressed about whether this confirmed a third film: “No, no, I don’t know.” She clarified that her comment wasn’t meant to tease “Wicked 3,” explaining, “We’re not saying goodbye to anything. These characters will be a part of our hearts always.” Yet she also added, “I will miss this particular work,” suggesting she’d be willing to return if the right story came along.
Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey, who play Elphaba and Fiyero, haven’t publicly commented on the possibility—though Erivo was notably absent from interviews at the New York premiere after losing her voice, with Grande skipping in solidarity with her co-star.
The Director Won’t Say No
Director Jon M. Chu provided perhaps the most revealing non-answer when asked about “Wicked 3.” “What’s it about?” Chu responded. “You know, there’s a lot of ideas flying around right now… We’ll see. Let’s enjoy this ride first.”
That phrase—”a lot of ideas flying around”—suggests that discussions may already be happening behind the scenes, even if nothing has been officially greenlit.
In another interview, Chu joked about focusing on “the story of Dodo the dog,” cheekily referencing Glinda’s name for Dorothy’s pet Toto. More seriously, he acknowledged that while he wouldn’t rule out future installments, any continuation would have to be “really worth it” after creating “such a beautiful piece.”
Co-screenwriter Winnie Holzman was similarly evasive but telling. “I don’t know how to answer that!” she said, laughing through a long pause. “I guess I just don’t know what to say. But what I will say is that I’m so grateful people are enjoying these movies.”
Her reluctance to shut down the possibility speaks volumes—if “Wicked 3” were definitively not happening, a simple “no” would suffice.
The Ending Leaves the Door Wide Open
“Wicked: For Good” certainly doesn’t close off the possibility of continuing the story. The film ends with Elphaba venturing into the “place beyond Oz” with Fiyero, who has been transformed into the Scarecrow. Meanwhile, Glinda has stepped into her role as a truly good and honest leader of Oz—and may have developed magical abilities, as evidenced by the mysterious Grimmerie spellbook finally opening for her in the film’s final moments.
This ending provides narrative springboards for numerous potential storylines, whether they follow Elphaba and Fiyero’s adventures beyond Oz, Glinda’s rule and her newly discovered powers, or something entirely different.
There’s Plenty of Source Material
While the Broadway musical doesn’t have a sequel, author Gregory Maguire’s revisionist “Wicked” series includes multiple books that extend far beyond where “Wicked: For Good” ends. His sequel novel, “Son of a Witch,” focuses on Liir, the son of Elphaba and Fiyero, as he navigates Oz in the years after his mother’s presumed death.
Additionally, L. Frank Baum wrote 14 original “Oz” books, with more than two dozen others published after his 1919 death. In short, there’s no shortage of material to draw from if Universal wants to keep the franchise alive.
A loose adaptation of “Son of a Witch” could work within the framework established by the films. “Wicked: For Good” shows Elphaba and Fiyero consummating their relationship, meaning she could be pregnant with Liir at the film’s conclusion. However, it would be surprising for a third film to proceed without Elphaba as a central character, giving the creative team freedom to craft an entirely new story.
Alternatively, Chu could work with original lyricist Stephen Schwartz to create a completely original next chapter—one that has never been told in the 20+ years since the Broadway show premiered.
The Box Office Will Decide
As of now, “Wicked 3” has not been officially announced. Universal has not brought writers or producers aboard to develop it, and the studio has been careful not to get ahead of itself.
However, the numbers tell a compelling story. The first “Wicked” earned a staggering $758 million worldwide, and box office projections for “Wicked: For Good” are even more promising. With hundreds of brand deals and a theme park tie-in already in place, Universal has created a genuine cultural phenomenon.
The studio will likely want to find ways to give audiences more films in this universe—provided they can do so without it feeling like a cynical cash grab. The decision may ultimately come down to whether the key creatives and actors want to return, and whether they can craft a story worthy of the first two films’ legacy.
So… Is It Happening?
The honest answer? Nobody knows yet—or at least, nobody’s saying. Universal is almost certainly waiting to see how “Wicked: For Good” performs at the box office and whether audience demand for more stories reaches a fever pitch.
What we do know is this: The creative team hasn’t closed the door. The cast seems open to returning. The source material exists. The ending is deliberately open-ended. And most importantly, Universal has a massive financial incentive to continue a franchise that has already proven wildly profitable.
Chu’s advice to “enjoy this ride first” is probably the wisest approach. For now, fans should savor the conclusion of Elphaba and Glinda’s story as told through the Broadway musical. If “Wicked 3” happens, it will be because the right story emerged—one that honors these characters while taking them somewhere genuinely new.
As Glinda herself might say: “Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?” In this case, perhaps the question is: Are sequels born necessary? Or does box office success thrust them upon us?
Time—and ticket sales—will tell.
