Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz is working on a new film “within the world of Oz”.
The 77-year-old composter has confirmed he and Winnie Holtzman — who wrote the book for the iconic Broadway musical and served as a co-writer on its big screen adaptation — have started work on another project set in the same universe, which was originally presented to him before either Wicked or Wicked: For Good had been released.
He’s quoted by The Hollywood Reporter as saying: “It’s a little bit premature to discuss, but not that premature.
“It is not a Wicked sequel, but it is a story which, if it goes ahead, occurs within the world of Oz.
“It’s so early, I’m hesitating to say anything about it, because who knows if it’ll even go forward.”
Recent movie Wicked: For Good — which is based on the second half of the Broadway musical, Wicked — picks up after the events of the first film, and follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as she discovers the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) has been lying to the people of Oz about his powers, and has turned her into a public enemy.
Eventually, Glinda (Ariana Grande) is forced to choose between her best friend and the Wizard.
The movie also stars Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq and Colman Domingo as the Cowardly Lion.
Schwartz has earned a rare double nomination in the Golden Globes shortlist this week thanks to two original songs, No Place Like Home and The Girl In The Bubble.
He said: “I am pleased that both songs were considered worthy.”
The composer found out the news from Wicked and Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu, who text him congratulating him on the nominations.
He added: “I have to say, I’m quite disappointed that Jon himself wasn’t nominated, because I feel he’s done such an exceptional job on both this movie and the first movie and was such an inspiring leader that I wish it had been possible for him to be recognised as well.”
Chu himself recently revealed there are “a lot of ideas” for a potential third film in the Wicked franchise, and he’s open to discussions if he was approached to helm another.
He told Variety: “I’d say, ‘What is it about?’ We have a lot of ideas flying around right now.”
He admitted to the outlet that his eight-year-old daughter is excited by the idea of an origin story for Jonathan Bailey’s character Fiyero Tigelaar.
He said: “My daughter’s already writing one, she’s eight years old.
“She wrote this whole beginning that I actually really love. But we’ll see, let’s enjoy this ride first.”
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