Wicked: PART 3? Teasers, Speculation, & What We Really Want
What We Know
Given how “Wicked” has grown into a full-blown empire of merch, movies, and theme park attractions, the pull to keep building this world is very real. Oz, it seems, is far from done with us. In late 2025, it was revealed that the studio hopes to cash in on the success of the movies by greenlighting additional Oz-set projects. Universal’s chief marketing officer, Michael Moses, went as far as telling Vulture, “Have we figured it out yet? No. But there are things underway.”
Stephen Schwartz has since confirmed that he and Winnie Holzman have reunited to conjure a brand-new story. While details remain under wraps, Schwartz was clear that it will not continue Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, which he says feels complete. Instead, he describes the idea as an “adjunct” rather than a sequel. Anyone familiar with Gregory Maguire’s “The Wicked Years” knows Oz extends far beyond those two, with plenty of characters and corners still unexplored.
Director Jon M. Chu has also teased expanding the universe and expressed interest in staying involved. His daughter is reportedly pushing for a Fiyero-centric story and has even started writing one herself. Some cast members are open to returning, while others feel like they’ve already said their goodbyes. Bowen Yang, meanwhile, joked about pitching a “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”-style spin-off starring Pfannee and ShenShen.
One notable name missing from these conversations is Gregory Maguire. The original author told Out that he has not been approached about any expansion and reiterated that he “sold the rights to one novel, and one novel only.”
Rumor & Speculation
If Maguire has not been consulted, then the real question becomes how far off the Yellow Brick Road this new story is willing to wander. Schwartz has acknowledged that Maguire has already done a lot of the heavy lifting thanks to “The Wicked Years.” By the end of 2026, that universe will even include prequels for both protagonists. Then there’s “Son of a Witch,” which follows Elphaba and Fiyero’s son Liir. “A Lion Among Men,” which is told through the perspective of Brrr, better known as the Cowardly Lion. And believe it or not, Elphaba and Fiyero even have a granddaughter, ironically named Rain. Then there is Shell, Elphaba and Nessarose’s brother, who stages a coup and becomes Emperor of Oz. That is just scratching the surface. Oz is packed with characters who could easily take center stage and regions we have barely even heard about.
It is also worth remembering how much the stage musical stripped out and softened from Maguire’s original story. The Broadway version and its film adaptations polished the edges into something far more palatable for mass audiences. Schwartz has even floated the idea of drawing from L. Frank Baum’s books that have yet to receive screen adaptations. We probably don’t need “Wicked” from Dorothy’s perspective; that’s essentially just “The Wizard of Oz.” Still, all signs suggest he and Winnie Holzman may be forging an entirely new path rather than adapting another existing novel. Perhaps they’re even considering giving a whole other iconic villain a redeeming backstory?
Then there is the musical elephant in the room. You gotta assume that if Stephen Schwartz is involved, then that’s probably the idea. He is one of the most influential modern composers working today, but the reception to the new songs in the films has been mixed at best. No one expects another “Defying Gravity,” yet we wouldn’t want the bubble to pop on his legacy. A new Oz project could live or die by its music, and the last thing anyone wants is a soundtrack that floats away without leaving a mark.
The format is another open-ended piece of the puzzle. A return to the stage seems unlikely, but another film or even a television series feels very much on the table. Schwartz has pointed to “Star Wars” as a franchise that’s successfully produced spin-offs that branch off from the main story without collapsing the whole structure. Musical series like “Schmigadoon!,” “Hazbin Hotel,” and “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” prove that the format can work, especially when you have a stacked cast who understand the assignment. A “Wicked” series could fit neatly into that space, too.
Tone would be a huge factor, as well. The musical and films reshaped Maguire’s darker material into glossy, family-friendly fantasy. Anyone who sees the show or movies before reading the book is in for quite a shock. Whether this new project sticks with that Disneyfied approach, drifts back toward Maguire’s grit, leans into Baum’s whimsy, or finds a balance between all three may come down to who is steering the ship. If Chu is involved again, that sweet spot might not be out of reach.
What We Want
We have to agree with Schwartz. Glinda and Elphaba’s story ends exactly where it should, and we shouldn’t touch it. Still, if there were ever a moment to expand the “Wicked” universe, it’s now. The box office numbers speak for themselves; the fandom has grown, and the films have arrived at a time when their themes feel especially pointed. It resonates because it speaks to outsiders, power, propaganda, and who gets labeled “good” or “wicked.” Those ideas continue to run through Maguire’s novels. This world isn’t tapped out yet.
What fans seem to want is more Oz, not rewritten Oz. Maybe the Wizard’s arrival and rise to power? More stories from Shiz? Perhaps something from the Animals’ perspective? A backstory for Madame Morrible feels especially rich. Character-focused prequels can work as long as they add layers instead of flattening the canon.
While a movie might give us closure, “For Good,” a series offers a gritty, “House of the Dragon” style exploration of Oz’s history in a way that expands lore rather than replaces it. Yet franchise fatigue is real, and we’re seeing a lot of it recently. A series or miniseries may be the smarter move. Episodic storytelling lets the darker themes and world-building breathe without forcing every moment into a musical spectacle. A song or two per episode could still work, as long as it echoes the original Broadway score.
Thankfully, both Schwartz and Maguire seem aligned on the one thing fans care about most. Another story should exist because it has something to say, not because there’s extra money on the table. “Thank Goodness.”
What are your thoughts on the “Wicked” expansion? What are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments
