Podcast Summary: Will there be more WICKED movies? | Mickey-Jo's thoughts on sequels, spin-offs and more movie musicals

MickeyJoTheatre | December 20, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this final “Wicked Weekend” episode, Mickey-Jo explores the possibility of more Wicked movies, including sequels, spin-offs, or TV adaptations, and transitions to a broader discussion on the current and future state of movie musicals in general. Drawing from recent comments by Stephen Schwartz and developments in the industry, Mickey-Jo critically assesses whether “milking the green cash cow” is creatively justified, and what audiences—and studios—might want next.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Wicked Movie Franchise: What’s Next?

• Wicked’s Success and Franchise Potential
  Mickey-Jo highlights the massive impact of the two-part Wicked film adaptation (Wicked and Wicked For Good), noting both creative and commercial motivations for potential extensions:

  • “Because these films have done very well, there will be an eagerness from all involved and from Universal to try and, you know, further milk this particular green cow.” (04:18)

• Stephen Schwartz’s Comments on a Sequel or Spinoff
  During recent press for Wicked For Good, Schwartz stated:

  • “Winnie Holtzman and I are doing some work right now on ideas that aren’t a sequel to Wicked … because I think the Glinda and Elphaba story feels complete. ... But there are other aspects that could be explored.” (05:38) Mickey-Jo approves the sense of creative completion for Glinda and Elphaba’s arc but questions whether the “Wicked brand” can thrive without them as central figures.

• The “Ozzyan Cinematic Universe” and its Pitfalls
  Schwartz compared Wicked’s world-building potential to Star Wars’ ever-expanding universe. Mickey-Jo expresses skepticism:

  • “If he’s talking about celebrated things like Andor and I guess The Mandalorian, then sure. But I feel like the overextension of Star Wars has given way to as many mistakes … as it has celebrated new additions.” (07:28) He notes the fragmented canon between Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and their various adaptations (Wicked is not canon to the Wizard of Oz, and Wicked the movie is not even canon to Wicked, the stage musical…, 08:00).

• Source Material for Sequels & Adaptations
  Gregory Maguire’s novels (like Son of a Witch) are seen as obvious fodder for future adaptations, but Schwartz and Holtzman are reportedly pursuing “something separate and distinct from that.” (06:30)

2. Should There Be More Wicked Movies? Who Should Be Involved?

• Artistic vs. Commercial Expansion
  Mickey-Jo is wary of continuing the musical/film franchise without its core:

  • “But still, I do think that something is diminished with the loss of Elphaba and Glinda. It’s around those iconic characters that the initial success of Wicked on stage was originally built, and the absolute last thing we need is any kind of a sequel happening on a stage. We all saw what happened with Love Never Dies. Nothing good can come of trying to extend Glinda and Elphaba’s story on Broadway, and it runs the risk of also killing the original show. So let’s not even touch that as an idea.” (14:48)

• Ideas for Spinoffs and Who Should Helm Them
  Mickey-Jo is blunt about Stephen Schwartz continuing as composer:

  • “I controversially think that Winnie Holtzman should remain on board in order to write the script. I don’t think Stephen Schwartz should continue to write the score … Not only do I think [the new songs for Wicked For Good] are far from the best material of his career, I also don’t think that they really fit that well into the world of Wicked musically.” (11:50) He suggests Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen) might better capture the “Wicked” sound moving forward.

• Alternative Concepts

  • Animated TV spinoff (a la Tangled or Bluey) focused on Glinda and Elphaba’s school years for a family audience.
  • Madame Morrible backstory film (a pitch from his friend Kate).

3. The Broader Impact: Movie Musicals Post-Wicked

• The Movie Musical “Wave”
  Mickey-Jo tracks the cyclical optimism and disappointment tied to Broadway-to-Hollywood adaptations:

  • “We really go through these waves of success and failure with movie musicals every few years … Greatest Showman happened … then Cats diminishes it again, then Wicked happens … and then it’s always up and down.” (17:28) He laments that Hollywood tends to misread the reasons for a particular project’s success.

• “Villain Origin” Spin-Offs & Saturation
  The success of Wicked is prompting other studios to greenlight villain origin stories (Gaston, Cinderella’s stepsisters), but Mickey-Jo finds the idea tired:

  • “This is such a tired idea. It’s actually already been done multiple times.” (19:45)
  • “There are to be no more Cinderella adaptations. We’ve said it all. We have absolutely said it all. There is nothing new that you can say about that story.” (20:25)

• John M. Chu’s Next Project & Other Musicals in the Pipeline
  Chu (director of the Wicked films) has expressed interest in directing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat—which Mickey-Jo finds ironically amusing given criticism of Chu’s color palette in Wicked films:

  • “It almost sounds like a joke. It’s also, I think, a really challenging musical to bring to the screen … biblical and potentially divisive among audiences.” (21:39) He argues the only property with Hamilton-level potential might be, well, Hamilton.

• Other Prospective Movie Musicals
  Mentions rumored Disney adaptations of Once on This Island and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and recent examples like Kiss of the Spider Woman.

• Casting & Remakes
  Andrew Lloyd Webber reportedly wants a new Phantom of the Opera movie starring Rachel Zegler—Mickey-Jo is supportive of casting actual musical theatre stars for film versions:

  • “More Cynthia Erivo-esque casting please.” (26:00) He also reflects on what makes for good (or disastrous) casting in musical adaptations, promising future episodes on “best and worst movie musicals.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Franchise Machine:
  “The tendency, it seems, in the film industry is to try and emulate something’s success by replicating its formula as closely as possible … No, no. What they love is the specificity of seeing the origin story of a villain they already recognize from elsewhere. That’s easy.” (17:48)
• On Artistic Integrity:
  “Nothing good can come of trying to extend Glinda and Elphaba’s story on Broadway, and it runs the risk of also killing the original show.” (14:58)
• On Musical Theatre Casting:
  “What I’m hugely here for is screen stars with musical theatre chops getting to play those roles in movie musicals. More Cynthia Erivo-esque casting please.” (26:01)
• On Fandom & Community:
  “Let’s have one final exciting conversation about Wicked and who knows, maybe there will be another film spin-off TV thing to bring us all back together once more.” (28:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:22] – Episode start, overview of the Wicked journey and central question: “Will there be more Wicked movies?”
• [05:38] – Mickey-Jo reads/analyses Stephen Schwartz’s press comments on the future of Wicked in film and TV.
• [07:28] – Discussion of Wicked as a potentially overextended franchise, comparing to Star Wars and MCU.
• [14:48] – Waltz through pitfalls (see: Love Never Dies) of stage sequels and why not to bring cinematic changes back to Broadway.
• [17:17] – Shift to what types of other movie musicals might get greenlit post-Wicked; why Hollywood’s takeaways may be off base.
• [19:45] – Critique of Disney villain origin spin-offs, Cinderella saturation.
• [21:39] – John M. Chu’s prospective Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat adaptation.
• [23:53] – Hopes, realities, and industry response: “Just because Wicked was great, it means all movie musicals are going to do really well…?”
• [26:00] – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s remake ambitions and thoughts on proper musical film casting.
• [28:44] – Closing words on the community, future podcast topics, and final thoughts on the Wicked movie journey.

Overall Tone and Takeaway

Mickey-Jo delivers an energetic, humorous, but sharply critical take on the idea of continuing the Wicked franchise beyond its central characters. He's skeptical of commercial motives but open to carefully considered creative expansion—with strict caveats on quality and meaningful storytelling. He also uses Wicked as a case study to discuss larger trends (and occasional pitfalls) in the movie musical landscape, delivering plenty of witty asides and memorable pop-culture references throughout.

For Listeners:

If you care about the future of movie musicals or are a Wicked superfan, this episode is essential listening—and leaves you pondering both the magic and the dangers of sequels, reboots, and cinematic cash cows.
And as always: “Have a stagey day!”