Bowen Yang is clicking his heels and calling it: the Wicked universe has reached the end of its yellow brick road. The Wicked star and Saturday Night Live favourite says he’s ready to close the spellbook on any talk of a third film.
Speaking to Variety, Yang was asked whether a third instalment could ever be greenlit. His answer suggested he’s perfectly content with how Wicked: For Good wraps things up.
“I think we leave it here,” Yang said, before indulging the idea of a spinoff. “I’m going to pitch a ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead’ story with my and Bronwyn James’ characters, [Pfannee and ShenShen].”
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Wicked: For Good, the follow-up to last year’s Wicked, adapts the second — and final — act of the Broadway musical. For now, there’s no expectation of a trilogy; like the stage show, the duology ends where it intends to. Director Jon M. Chu echoed that sentiment when asked about expanding the universe further.
“What’s it about?” Chu said. “You know, there’s a lot of ideas flying around right now. … We’ll see. Let’s enjoy this ride first.”
Yang also shared his excitement about co-star Ariana Grande returning to Saturday Night Live this December as host — with Cher appearing as musical guest.
Read more: Michelle Yeoh and Jon M Chu Praise Singapore at ‘Wicked: For Good’ Premiere
“I cannot wait. I’m so glad that we have her presence there,” he said of Cher, calling her his “dream host.” “Ariana definitely has a good Cher impression. We’ve had ‘Christopher Walken Reunion’ [sketch] where everyone has a Cher impression. I’m going to pitch a ‘Cher Family Reunion’ for Christmas time. Everyone has a Cher impression.”
Although Cynthia Erivo and Grande were on the carpet for the New York City premiere, neither was available for interviews. Universal later notified press that Erivo wasn’t “feeling well and has lost her voice,” and Grande opted out of interviews in solidarity.
Joining them at the premiere were co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum — a full Emerald City turnout for the closing chapter of Wicked’s cinematic journey.
