WICKED BECOMES THE YEAR’S BREAKOUT PHENOMENON AND PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW STORIES

The Wicked universe continues to expand as its cultural impact once again captivates Hollywood. Between franchise plans, box-office records and a sequel loaded with political messaging, the saga proves it’s more alive than ever.

“Wicked: For Good” is not only dominating the box office  it's also reigniting cultural and political conversations while, to fans’ delight, opening the door to more stories within the world of Oz. And even though the second installment closes the central arc of Elphaba and Glinda, Universal Pictures has made it clear that it has no intention of saying goodbye to this magical realm.

The studio confirmed that it is developing new ideas to expand the franchise. The momentum is no small thing: more than 450 licensed products helped “Wicked: For Good” become one of the year’s biggest commercial triumphs. Michael Moses, Universal’s chief marketing officer, put it bluntly: the fandom has been so powerful that they almost feel a responsibility to keep building on this universe.

The success has matched the ambition. The film opened with $150 million in the United States and $226 million globally, a significant jump from the first part. It became the second-biggest debut of the year, behind “A Minecraft Movie,” and set a record within the fantasy-adventure genre, far surpassing the category’s average openings. For Hollywood, coming off sluggish months, the performance of “Wicked: For Good” felt like a breath of fresh air: yearly box-office totals have already surpassed last year’s numbers, and analysts see this as a positive signal heading into the holiday season.

The film has also sparked an unexpected level of social discussion for one compelling reason: it is one of the most political releases of the year. While the world of Oz has always lent itself to metaphors about power, discrimination and propaganda, the sequel intensifies these themes. Scenes depicting animals being restricted in train stations or hidden in the palace basement have resonated strongly, especially amid comparisons to recent U.S. immigration policies and enforcement actions.

The story further explores the use of fear as a political tool: in Oz, the Wizard pushes the idea that “the best way to unite people is to give them a good enemy,” an unsettling echo for many viewers. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba becomes a symbol of resistance in a narrative where controlling information is synonymous with controlling society.

As debates swirl, the future of the saga continues to take shape. Although a direct “Wicked 3” is not planned, both Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman confirmed they are developing new projects that will serve as “adjacent stories” within the universe rather than traditional continuations. Possibilities range from adaptations of Gregory Maguire’s novels  such as Son of a Witch or Out of Oz  to entirely new narratives independent of Elphaba and Glinda.

Interestingly, Ariana Grande had already hinted that the cast might not be finished yet. During a Q&A session in Los Angeles, she joked perhaps prophetically  “If we’ve learned anything from Cher, it’s that there’s always one more farewell tour.”

With an unstoppable fandom, massive box-office momentum and a vast literary world still unexplored, it seems Oz has many paths  and many yellow bricks  left ahead.