Wicked 3: NBCUniversal boss addresses Oz sequel rumours
- The future of the Wicked franchise appears to be expanding beyond the recently released two-part film adaptation.
- NBCUniversal boss Donna Langley confirmed the studio’s interest in continuing the Oz saga, acknowledging the momentum generated by the films’ performance.
- Frank Baum’s 1904 novel, The Marvelous Land of Oz, and is currently titled “Ozma.” This potential sequel would shift focus to Princess Ozma, a key character in Baum’s...
The future of the Wicked franchise appears to be expanding beyond the recently released two-part film adaptation. Despite the initial focus on completing the story of Elphaba and Glinda, Universal Pictures is exploring options to further build out the world of Oz, fueled by the success of ‘s Wicked: For Good.
NBCUniversal boss Donna Langley confirmed the studio’s interest in continuing the Oz saga, acknowledging the momentum generated by the films’ performance. “It’s very early days on Wicked, but we are hopeful that after the amazing success that we’ve seen with the two movies Notice other ways that we could branch out with the world-building,” Langley told Variety. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with rights holders as any potential projects move forward.
The possibility of a third film centers around L. Frank Baum’s 1904 novel, The Marvelous Land of Oz, and is currently titled “Ozma.” This potential sequel would shift focus to Princess Ozma, a key character in Baum’s expanded Oz universe. Composer Stephen Schwartz, who penned the music for the original stage musical alongside Winnie Holzman, revealed that he and Holzman have been actively developing the adaptation for “a couple of years.” “I feel a little funny announcing this, because I don’t know that it will happen, but we’re at work on it,” Schwartz shared with The National. “We went to Universal and they’re very interested. So we’re going to see if it will lead somewhere.”
The success of Wicked: For Good, which has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, has undoubtedly increased the studio’s appetite for further exploration of the franchise. The first film, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, wrapped up the core narrative established in the stage musical. However, the rich lore of Baum’s Oz offers ample opportunity for spin-offs and continuations.
Langley’s comments suggest a cautious but optimistic approach. While a third film isn’t a certainty, Universal is clearly open to the idea of expanding the Oz universe beyond the central story of Elphaba and Glinda. The studio’s strategy appears to be focused on identifying viable projects that leverage existing rights and build upon the established world.
Schwartz and Holzman’s work on the “Ozma” adaptation suggests a desire to remain faithful to Baum’s original writings, a departure from the initial Wicked adaptation which was “loosely based” on Gregory Maguire’s novel. Schwartz described the new project as a more “direct adaptation” of Baum’s work, while still promising “its own spin.” This approach could appeal to fans of the original Oz stories while simultaneously attracting a new audience familiar with the Wicked universe.
The timing of these discussions is particularly noteworthy. With Wicked: For Good now available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video and AppleTV, Universal is actively seeking to maximize the franchise’s potential. The studio’s willingness to explore new avenues for storytelling demonstrates a long-term commitment to the world of Oz.
The potential for further installments also comes as the original 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, entered the public domain in , 56 years after its publication. This opens up possibilities for adaptations and reinterpretations of the classic story, potentially influencing future projects within the Oz universe.
While details remain scarce, the combination of studio interest, creative talent, and a wealth of source material suggests that the story of Oz is far from over. Universal’s exploration of a third Wicked-related film, or other projects within the Oz universe, represents a significant opportunity to capitalize on the franchise’s current momentum and solidify its place as a major player in the fantasy film landscape.