WICKED WRITER'S NEXT PROJECT SET IN 'WORLD OF OZ' AFTER PREQUEL CONFIRMED

A Wicked spin-off appears to have been 'confirmed' after one of the masterminds behind the blockbuster film and its musical follow-up accidentally revealed details of a fresh project.

Stephen Schwartz has apparently confessed that he's developing a venture set 'within the world of Oz'. The 77 year old acted as composer and lyricist for the Broadway stage production as well as co-writer for the cinema adaptations alongside Winnie Holtzman, reports the Mirror.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed regarding the venture: "It's a little bit premature to discuss, but not that premature.

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"It is not a Wicked sequel, but it is a story which, if it goes ahead, occurs within the world of Oz. It's so early, I'm hesitating to say anything about it, because who knows if it'll even go forward."

Wicked: For Good finally reached cinema screens recently and continues where the previous film concluded, as it brings the second half of the musical to life. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) uncovers that the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) has been deceiving the people of Oz about his abilities, and has made her a public enemy.

Ultimately, Glinda (Ariana Grande) must decide between her best friend and the Wizard. Schwartz is now a double Golden Globe nominee for two original songs, No Place Like Home and The Girl In The Bubble. Whatever he's currently developing was seemingly pitched to him before either film was released.

Responding to news of the nomination, he remarked: "I am pleased that both songs were considered worthy."

Nevertheless, he also admitted to feeling let down that director of both films, Jon M. Chu, didn't receive recognition himself.

He continued: "I have to say, I'm quite disappointed that Jon himself wasn't nominated, because I feel he's done such an exceptional job on both this movie and the first movie and was such an inspiring leader that I wish it had been possible for him to be recognised as well."

Chu himself recently disclosed there are "a lot of ideas" for a potential third film in the Wicked franchise, and he's open to discussions if he was approached to helm another.

He told Variety: "I'd say, 'What is it about?' We have a lot of ideas flying around right now." He confessed to the publication that his eight year old daughter is thrilled by the prospect of an origin story for Jonathan Bailey's character Fiyero Tigelaar.

"My daughter's already writing one, she's eight years old. She wrote this whole beginning that I actually really love. But we'll see, let's enjoy this ride first."

Wicked is itself based on novels written by Gregory Maguire who has announced he has penned a prequel himself. The forthcoming book Galinda: A Charmed Childhood is expected to be published next year.

Story details are limited but it is expected to explore Glinda's backstory before she became Elphaba's beloved flatmate at Shiz University.

Wicked is streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW, Wicked For Good is in cinemas now.

2025-12-09T12:30:22Z