What Is the Wizard of Oz Second Movie
The Wizard of Oz second movie refers to official and unofficial sequel projects tied to the 1939 classic. The most prominent modern effort is the prequel film Wicked, which adapts the Broadway musical and tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Wicked is produced by Universal Pictures and distributed by Universal Pictures, with a release date of November 21, 2024, for the first installment and a planned November 2025 release for the second part. The project is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The first Wicked film is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The second part of the Wicked duology is currently in production, with Jon M. Chu returning as director and Universal Pictures overseeing global distribution. The Wizard of Oz second movie in this context is Wicked Part Two, which continues the story directly after the events of the first film. For background on the original film's legacy and public domain status, see the Library of Congress copyright records here.
Wicked Part Two Production and Release Timeline
Wicked Part Two is officially confirmed by Universal Pictures as the direct sequel to Wicked Part One. Principal photography for both Wicked films took place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the United Kingdom, with additional location shooting in Scotland. The production budget for the first Wicked film was reported at approximately $145 million, and the second part is expected to have a similar or higher budget due to expanded visual effects and set pieces. Universal Pictures has scheduled Wicked Part Two for release on November 21, 2025, positioning it as a major holiday season blockbuster. The film is being marketed as the second chapter of a two-part cinematic adaptation, making it the Wizard of Oz second movie in the current franchise slate. The studio has confirmed that Jon M. Chu is directing both parts, with screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. For industry analysis on the film's market positioning, see Forbes coverage here.
Cast, Characters, and Story Continuity
The Wizard of Oz second movie, Wicked Part Two, features the core cast from the first film, including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. The story picks up after the events of Wicked Part One, following Elphaba's journey as she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and exploring the political tensions between Oz's Emerald City and the surrounding lands. The film introduces new characters from the original Wizard of Oz lore, including Dorothy Gale, who is portrayed by a young actress cast in a key role. Universal Pictures has kept plot details under wraps, but the film is expected to adapt the second half of the Broadway musical and elements from Gregory Maguire's novel. The production team includes costume designer Paul Tazewell and composer Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the original Broadway songs. For official updates on cast and story, check the Universal Pictures Wicked page here.
Box Office and Franchise Strategy
Wicked Part One grossed over $750 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing musical adaptations. Universal Pictures is positioning the two-part Wicked series as a flagship franchise alongside other classic adaptations. The Wizard of Oz second movie is part of a