Wicked co-writer Winnie Holzman recently addressed the tantalizing question of whether a third film is in the pipeline. While the original Wicked novel was penned by Gregory Maguire, Holzman contributed significantly by crafting the book for the acclaimed Broadway musical. Together with Dana Fox, she also authored the screenplays for both the film adaptations of Wicked and its sequel, Wicked: For Good. Set to premiere on November 21, For Good continues the saga of the first film, celebrating its overwhelming success, which included rave reviews and a staggering $748 million in global box office earnings. This upcoming release will adapt the final act of the Broadway production.
During an interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley on the red carpet of the New York City Tisch Gala, Holzman was asked about the potential for expanding the Wicked universe into a third installment. She acknowledged that while For Good will conclusively wrap up the musical’s narrative, preliminary discussions regarding a potential sequel have indeed surfaced. However, she was quick to clarify that these conversations are still informal and no concrete plans have been established. Here’s what she had to say:
Sort of. A little bit. Yeah, a little bit. Nothing real.
Implications for Wicked
The Case for a Third Installment
Holzman’s insights suggest that while discussions around a third movie have commenced, nothing is official at this stage. One major hurdle, however, is the absence of a direct musical source material to base a sequel on. This presents a unique challenge, especially considering that Gregory Maguire’s original novel features darker themes and significant plot differences compared to the Broadway adaptation and its film counterparts. While there are sequels and a prequel in the book series, these narratives primarily revolve around characters such as Elphaba’s son, Liir, and her granddaughter, Rain, neither of whom are present in the films.
Given the absence of these pivotal characters, the darker thematic elements, and the need to create a storyline that diverges from the film continuity, adapting the literary follow-ups into a third installment of Wicked may prove impractical. Notably, the first two Wicked films took over a decade to develop, with the foundation laid by the Broadway musical’s script. Consequently, any future endeavors for a third movie would likely require crafting an entirely new narrative that extends the universe beyond For Good.
Reflections on Holzman’s Perspective
Prioritizing Current Projects Over a Third Movie
Although discussions about a potential third film are being had, it’s crucial to note that the primary focus remains on For Good. While I appreciate the creative team’s curiosity about what unfolds in Oz post-For Good, I personally lean toward not pursuing a third film. The immense success of the initial movie primarily stemmed from its fidelity to the musical’s narrative. Without existing material to draw from, my confidence in the viability of a third Wicked film is low, though I remain open to exploring this possibility as ideas evolve.