Why the Wicked Movie Was Split Into Two Parts

The wait for the Wicked movie just got a little longer, and fans are buzzing about why the Broadway classic was split into two films. With Part 1 already in theaters and Part 2 set to drop on November 21, 2025, the decision to expand the iconic story into two movies has left many wondering if it was worth it.

Stephen Schwartz, the mastermind composer behind the beloved musical, recently explained the reasoning behind the ambitious move. Speaking to fans via The Schwartz Scene newsletter, Schwartz shared, “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.”

And that wasn’t the only hurdle. Schwartz admitted the creative team initially attempted to make the movie a single installment but ran into some major roadblocks. “The first [problem] is that even as a very long single movie, it required us cutting or omitting things that we wanted to include and that we think fans of the show and the story will appreciate.”

The second issue? The Defying Gravity moment. Schwartz explained, “The beginning of Act 2 [in the stage show] couldn’t escape [the song’s] gravitational pull. For these two reasons, plus the excitement of doing something that’s never been done before with a musical, we have decided to do two movies.”

Schwartz also emphasized that the changes made for the movie aren’t just for the sake of being different. “What we have discussed is that changes need to be ‘additive,’ to use [producer] Marc Platt’s term. They need to add something to the story or the characters… I could have a conversation with anyone who has a question about any of the changes… and justify why I think it’s better for the movie.”

The two-part approach means fans will get a deeper dive into the world of Elphaba and Glinda, with more opportunities to see their favorite characters and moments brought to life on the big screen.