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Universal Eyes ‘Wicked’ Franchise Expansion After Record ‘For Good’ Opening

Box-office momentum is driving discussions of spin-offs plus creator-led offshoots.

Overview

  • Universal marketing chief Michael Moses told Vulture that “things are underway” to continue the Wicked universe, with the format still undecided.
  • Composer Stephen Schwartz said he and writer Winnie Holzman are developing an adjunct idea rather than a direct sequel to the ElphabaGlinda arc.
  • Wicked: For Good set new marks for a Broadway adaptation with about $147 million domestic on opening and roughly $223 million worldwide.
  • Author Gregory Maguire confirmed a Glinda prequel novel, Galinda: A Charmed Childhood, scheduled for September 29, 2026, drawing fan calls for Ariana Grande to narrate the audiobook.
  • Recent reporting highlighted newcomer Bethany Weaver’s brief, face-obscured turn as Dorothy and Jon M. Chu’s choice to keep the film’s final shot out of studio marketing.