Wicked sequels officially in the works

Given it is defying gravity at the box office and across social media, it’s barely a surprise to hear that more Wicked is in the works.

A new piece from Vulture has revealed that producers Universal have already started to explore how best to tap into the excitement around the franchise, either through spin-offs or sequels.

“Because of Wicked’s success but also the fanship, we have almost a responsibility to figure out how we can continue in this universe,” Universal’s chief marketing officer, Michael Moses, told Vulture in a recent interview. “Have we figured it out yet? No. But there are things underway.”

Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz had thoughts of his own, adding in an interview with The Ankler: “I think the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete — but there are other aspects that could be explored.”

The much-loved Broadway and West End musical is based on the Gregory Maguire books that document a wide expanse of political and romantic subplots across the world of Oz, providing ample material for any spin-offs or sequels.

As late as last year we’d heard rumblings about a spin-off project based at Shiz University being bandied around, though that project may well have flown off the cards faster than a Nebraskan entertainer’s balloon.

Wicked: For Good is cooking up a storm worthy of Madame Morrible at the worldwide box office, already knocking down records after its opening weekend.

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and more all return for the new film, while famous numbers from act two include “For Good”, “As Long As You’re Mine” and “No Good Deed”.