'Wicked 2': What We Know About 2025 Sequel

With the release of the first installment of the two-part Wicked film series just around the corner, Newsweek has gathered everything we currently know about Wicked: Part Two.

Both films are adapted from the acclaimed Broadway musical Wicked, itself a backstory to The Wizard of Oz that explores the origins and friendship of two iconic witches: Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch. The first film is set to be released on November 22, 2024.

The cast features Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande as Glinda. Also among those starring are Ethan Slater as munchkin Boq, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as headmistress Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard.

Read on to find out everything we know about Wicked: Part Two, including why the film was cut into two parts.

When Will 'Wicked: Part Two' Be Released?

Currently, Wicked: Part Two is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 21, 2025, one year after the first film. Universal moved the release date up from November 26, 2025, to avoid competition with Disney's Zootopia 2.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo celebrate the Australian premiere of "Wicked" in Nov. in Sydney, Australia. Here is everything you need to know about "Wicked: Part Two". Saverio Marfia/Getty Images

Why Is 'Wicked' Split Into Two Parts?

The decision to split Wicked into two films was made to do justice to the depth and complexity of the original story. Director Jon M. Chu has explained that the musical's intricate narrative, rich character arcs and iconic musical numbers could be better explored over two films rather than compressed into a single movie.

By dividing Wicked into two parts, the adaptation can expand on pivotal scenes and include more songs and character moments from the original musical, as well as scenes that couldn't fit within the Broadway show's limited stage time.

"As we prepared the production over the last year, it became impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it," Chu said in a previous statement.

"As we tried to cut songs or trim characters, those decisions began to feel like fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years.

"We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one Wicked movie but two! With more space, we can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters."

Stephen Schwartz, the composer behind the musical and the films, said in a June 2022 interview with Variety: "We found it very difficult to get past 'Defying Gravity' without a break. That song is written specifically to bring a curtain down, and whatever scene to follow it without a break just seemed hugely anti-climactic."

What to Expect in 'Wicked: Part Two'

During an edition of Schwart'z newsletter, Schwartz Scene, the composer revealed that two new songs were going to be added to the sequel and they were also going to rework some of the musical's existing songs.

"There are two new songs in the second movie that are complete songs in themselves, and then there are new sections in some of the existing songs in both movies. All the new material, of course, is to meet the demands of the storytelling," he said.

While the first film focuses on the early friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, Wicked: Part Two is set to cover some of the most dramatic events from the second act of the Broadway musical.

Here's a look at the key plot points and themes likely to feature in the second installment:

• Elphaba's transformation and the rise of the Wicked Witch: Audiences will likely see Elphaba fully embrace her role as the Wicked Witch of the West. This part of the story delves into her increasing alienation from society and the fact that her commitment to fighting injustice leads to her being branded as "wicked," setting her up as a misunderstood hero.
• The complicated love triangle: Part Two is expected to dive deeper into the love triangle between Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero. The film may bring more depth and conflict to this relationship, showing how it impacts each character and ultimately influences their decisions.
• The tension in Oz: The second film will explore the darker, political undercurrents in Oz, especially the Wizard's control over its citizens and the fact that he lies to stay in power.
• Glinda's rise as the Good Witch: As Elphaba faces persecution, Glinda is positioned as the Good Witch, loved and admired by the people of Oz. The second installment will likely explore how Glinda reconciles her public image with her personal feelings, especially as her friendship with Elphaba faces a breaking point.
• Familiar elements from The Wizard of Oz: We may see how certain characters come to play their roles in Dorothy's journey, including how the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion came to be.

The musical opened in 2003 and celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. It is one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway with nearly 8,000 performances to date. The original cast featured award-winning actresses Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the lead roles.