More ‘Wicked’ Movies? ‘There Are Things Underway’ Says Universal

The Broadway musical Wicked was recently adapted into two movies, each covering about half of the original stage show. This unusual approach proved very profitable for Universal Pictures, allowing them to sell the story twice and benefit from two full holiday seasons of *Wickedrelated merchandise sales.

The show Wicked originally drew inspiration from a novel by Gregory Maguire, which itself expanded on the classic Wizard of Oz tales. Now, however, that source material seems to be used up. While it’s unclear how to continue the story beyond the new Wicked: For Good, the massive success of the Wicked films for Universal suggests that may not be a problem. (Apologies for stating the obvious!)

A Universal marketing executive explained to Vulture that, given the huge success of Wicked and its dedicated fanbase, they feel obligated to explore ways to expand the story and create more content within that world.

“Have we figured it out yet? No,” they added. “But there are things underway.”

Because the musical Wicked differs so much from the original books, it would be difficult to create a direct sequel to the movie For Good based on those novels. However, the new film leaves a few storylines open that could be explored in a future movie featuring some of the key characters. (I won’t reveal what they are to avoid spoilers!)

Last week, I watched the movie Wicked with my daughters, who are both huge fans. Afterward, my wife asked them if they’d want to see a third Wicked film if one were made. I expected them to be excited, but they were surprisingly hesitant. My older daughter immediately said, “There’s nothing left to tell.”

She has a point! But even so, Universal will likely still move forward with another Wicked movie – it would be more surprising if they didn’t try to continue the series at some point, considering how popular these films are. (I apologize again for that.)

The Best Sequels Not Made By the Original Movie’s Director

15. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

Paul Greengrass took over as director, replacing Doug Liman. When people think of Jason Bourne, they often picture the look and feel of The Bourne Supremacy—not the first film, The Bourne Identity. Greengrass’s sequel featured faster-paced, shaky camera work and a very serious performance from Matt Damon, as Bourne seeks revenge after being falsely accused of a crime.

14. Blade II (2002)

Guillermo del Toro took over directing duties for Blade II after Stephen Norrington, who had successfully directed the original Blade – a hugely influential superhero film – chose not to return. At the time, del Toro was primarily known for his horror work, and Blade II proved to be his big break in Hollywood. He built upon the strengths of the first film – its mix of horror and action, its detailed vampire lore from Marvel Comics, and Wesley Snipes’ intense performance – and elevated them. The sequel featured even more frightening horror elements and more complex, visually stunning action sequences. Snipes’ portrayal of Blade became even more poignant as the vampire conflict expanded, involving multiple warring factions.

13. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Lee Unkrich directed Toy Story 3, taking over for John Lasseter, who was working on Cars at the time. Unkrich was a long-time Pixar employee with a strong background in the Toy Story series – he’d been an editor on the first film and co-director of the second. This experience helped Toy Story 3 feel like a natural continuation of the previous movies, even though it tackles surprisingly emotional themes about the toys facing the end of their usefulness. That’s classic Pixar – making children’s films that subtly deal with difficult topics like loss and mortality.

12. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Gregory Jacobs directed this sequel, taking over from Steven Soderbergh. It’s unusual for a sequel to be better than the original, and it usually happens when the original director returns. However, Magic Mike XXL is a notable exception. It’s the only film in the Magic Mike series not directed by Soderbergh, and many consider it the best of the three. The sequel also smartly avoids the tired tropes of the first film, which focused on money and corruption. Instead, Magic Mike XXL prioritizes fun and features more interesting female characters who aren’t just targets for exploitation. In a complete shift from the first movie, the male strippers aren’t interested in taking advantage of anyone—they simply want to enjoy themselves and express their creativity.

11. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Matt Reeves directed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, taking over from Rupert Wyatt. Building on the foundation laid by Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Reeves’ film brilliantly combined the original Planet of the Apes‘ thought-provoking themes of race and class with stunning visual effects from Weta. These effects, using motion capture performances by actors like Andy Serkis, created incredibly realistic and intelligent apes. If you appreciate the bold idea behind Planet of the Apes, you’ll especially enjoy Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – it’s the film that truly brought the concept to life for a modern audience.

10. The Color of Money (1986)

Directed by Martin Scorsese (taking over from Robert Rossen), The Color of Money is a compelling sequel to The Hustler. The film revisits the character of “Fast Eddie” Felson, played by Paul Newman, 25 years later. Now older and past his prime, Eddie takes a promising young pool player (Tom Cruise) under his wing. Despite being initially dismissed by some, the movie is remarkably well-made, showcasing both Newman’s seasoned talent and Cruise’s energetic performance. The script, by Richard Price, provides a perfect platform for Newman’s skills, and the dynamic between the two actors is fantastic. Like skilled pool players, director Scorsese utilizes clever ‘trick shots’ in filmmaking.

9. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Nicholas Meyer took over as director from Robert Wise. While I appreciate the original Star Trek: The Motion Picture, it felt more inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey than the original TV series. Interestingly, when Nicholas Meyer was asked to direct Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, he hadn’t even watched a single episode of Star Trek! But it was this fresh perspective that actually helped The Wrath of Khan – which continued a story from the original series about genetically engineered villains returning in the future – recapture the adventurous spirit of the original show and strengthen the bonds between the crew. Meyer’s later Star Trek film, The Undiscovered Country, is also a fantastic, but often overlooked, entry in the series.

8. Skyfall (2012)

As a Bond fan, I have to say Sam Mendes really saved the day. The series was a bit shaky after Quantum of Solace, but his Skyfall was a total game-changer. It brought everything back to life – the action was fantastic, Roger Deakins’ cinematography was stunning, the theme song was incredible, and the story felt like a perfect tribute to Bond’s entire legacy. He took over from other directors, and honestly, it was exactly what 007 needed.

7. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Brad Bird took over directing duties from J.J. Abrams and others. Each Mission: Impossible film has been quite different from the last. While Mission: Impossible II barely resembled the first film, and M:I-3 was a significant departure from M:I-2, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol really established the series’ direction. Every film since Ghost Protocol has built upon that foundation, rather than starting over. This demonstrates how effectively Brad Bird shaped the Mission: Impossible franchise into what it is today: a fast-paced, thrilling experience with smart technology, engaging teamwork, and over-the-top action.

4. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Denis Villeneuve directed Blade Runner 2049, taking over from Ridley Scott. Many thought a sequel to the original Blade Runner – a film known for its dark tone and lack of mainstream appeal – was a risky idea. However, Villeneuve successfully created a film that both respected Scott’s original vision, including its complex characters and storyline, and moved the story forward four decades.

6. Creed (2015)

Ryan Coogler directed Creed, taking over from Sylvester Stallone and others who previously helmed the Rocky films. While some might see Creed as a spinoff, it truly feels like a continuation of the Rocky story. Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa, but this time he’s the mentor to a new boxer, Michael B. Jordan. I consider Creed one of the best legacy sequels ever made. It captures the heart, music, and even the spirit of the original Rocky films, while also bringing fresh ideas to the familiar formula. Coogler’s personal connection to the Rocky movies – he watched them with his father – is evident throughout Creed.

5. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Joseph Kosinski directed the film, taking over from Tony Scott. Considering it had been 35 years since the original, a sequel to Top Gun seemed unnecessary. However, director Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise (who also produced and starred) managed to create a thrilling and enjoyable sequel that surprisingly felt current. While it doesn’t offer political commentary, the film delivers the kind of spectacular visuals that are best experienced on the big screen.

3. Aliens (1986)

James Cameron took over directing duties from Ridley Scott for Aliens. What makes Aliens so impressive is that it’s a fantastic sequel to Alien while still feeling distinctly like a James Cameron film. Alien starts slowly, focusing on the everyday lives of space workers before introducing the creature, and then becomes a claustrophobic, terrifying chase with a single, nearly indestructible alien. Aliens, on the other hand, throws you right into the action with hundreds of aliens being defeated in explosive scenes. (The advanced weaponry and soldiers even give it a feel similar to Cameron’s Avatar.) Ultimately, Aliens is a prime example of a director successfully taking a great film and reshaping it to fit their own vision.

2. Goldfinger (1964)

Guy Hamilton took over directing duties from Terence Young. While Dr. No launched the Bond franchise, Goldfinger truly defined it and became a major influence on countless action movies that followed. It’s considered one of the most important films of the 20th century. From heroes swapping wetsuits for tuxedos to tricked-out sports cars, Goldfinger‘s impact can still be seen today. It’s a thrilling, funny, and genuinely surprising film – an exhilarating experience from start to finish.

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Irvin Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back, taking over from George Lucas. While Lucas stayed involved as a writer and producer, Kershner skillfully built upon Lucas’s ideas and took the story in a more complex direction. Many fans still debate whether The Empire Strikes Back is better than the original Star Wars, and the fact that such a debate exists proves how well Kershner directed the film.

2025-11-25 18:59