Sorry to the gladiators and my numerous husbands from "Gladiator II" (Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington), but currently, "Wicked" has taken over my world. If you, like me, left the theater with tears streaming down your face due to the emotional impact of "Defying Gravity" and the agonizing wait for the second half of this movie musical, know that you are not alone.

Waiting with Bated Breath

Wicked Part Two is set to grace our screens almost exactly a year from now, on November 21, 2025. The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await the continuation of this magical story. Director Jon Chu shed some light on the decision-making process back in 2022. He explained that as they prepared the production, it became evident that trying to fit the entire "Wicked" story into a single film would result in significant damage to the source material. Cutting songs or trimming characters seemed like fatal compromises that would disappoint the loyal fans who have been entertained for years.

Chu added that by giving themselves a larger canvas and making two films instead of one, they could tell the story of "Wicked" as it was meant to be told. This would allow for more depth and surprise in the journeys of the beloved characters.

The Director's Perspective

Jon Chu also shared with Gizmodo the challenges they faced during the production. He mentioned that there was a back-and-forth between the studio regarding the number of films. This indecision created problems in getting the project off the ground. Chu emphasized the importance of making a clear choice. He stated that dancing back and forth between one and two movies would not lead to a good outcome. By committing to two movies right away, they could focus on pulling the story apart and finding the necessary elements to fill the plot holes and build up to the epic "Defying Gravity" scene.

This decision was crucial in ensuring the quality and integrity of the story. Without a firm commitment, the project would likely have been mired in uncertainty and failed to live up to expectations.

The Composer's Insight

Composer Stephen Schwartz also played a significant role in the decision to make two "Wicked" films. He revealed that they initially tried to make it one long movie but encountered two major problems. Firstly, even as a long single film, there were still things that had to be cut or omitted, which they believed would be appreciated by the show's fans. Secondly, it was difficult to transition smoothly after "Defying Gravity" without a break. The song is designed to bring a sense of closure, and any scene that followed without a break felt anti-climactic.

For these reasons, along with the excitement of exploring new territory with a musical, they decided to go with two films. This would allow them to fully explore the story and deliver a more satisfying experience for the audience.

There you have it - the story behind the decision to make two "Wicked" films and the excitement that awaits us in 2025.