The yellow brick road may not end at the multiplex. With Wicked pulling in blockbuster numbers and Universal’s Florida theme park entering a new phase of growth, attention is shifting to a different kind of stage — one built not for Broadway or Hollywood, but for thrill rides and immersive worlds.
Epic Universe, the newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort, opened in May with five themed lands (aka “portals”) and a long-term strategy for expansion. Universal executives have confirmed that the park was designed with room to grow — and fans have wasted no time speculating about what might be added next.
Now, thanks to a television special, a few casting choices, and some well-timed success at the box office, the conversation has taken a sharp turn toward the Emerald City.
The studio’s two-part adaptation of Wicked – the Broadway juggernaut inspired by Gregory Maguire’s novel and The Wizard of Oz – crossed $750 million in global earnings with the release of its first installment. It earned awards buzz and became a rare event-level musical, reigniting interest in all things Oz. Part two, Wicked: For Good, is set to arrive this November.
That momentum has led many to ask: Could Universal be setting the stage for something even bigger?
A Prime-Time Clue
Next month, NBC will air Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe, a one-hour promotional special spotlighting Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park. While the program is positioned as a behind-the-scenes tour, its guest list has prompted more curiosity than clarification.
‘Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe’ will air Wed., Aug. 20 at 9pm on NBC and next day on Peacock. One-hour speical featuring Bowen Yang, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jon M. Chu (!), Steven Spielberg and more.
‘Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe’ will air Wed., Aug. 20 at 9pm on NBC and next day on Peacock. One-hour speical featuring Bowen Yang, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jon M. Chu (!), Steven Spielberg and more. pic.twitter.com/O32uydZdGo
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 29, 2025
Bowen Yang and Michelle Yeoh, who star in Wicked as Pfannee and Madam Morrible, will be featured. So will director Jon M. Chu.
Their inclusion has raised eyebrows in fan circles, particularly given that other confirmed guests, such as Steven Spielberg and Warwick Davis, hold long-standing ties to Universal Studios.
“They gonna announce Oz as the next portal here I can feel it,” one user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another added, “Now why would they have multiple Wicked stars in their special on Epic Universe? Hmmmmm…”
Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, may have fanned the flames further earlier this year when he remarked: “When I saw it, my first reaction was, ‘This is a theme park waiting to happen.’”
From Broadway to Backlot — and Beyond?
The idea of turning Wicked into a theme park land is not entirely without precedent.
In Japan, Universal Studios once featured a short-form stage adaptation of the musical as part of its since-closed Land of Oz. And in recent years, limited-time events tied to Wicked have surfaced across Universal’s parks, including themed photo ops in Singapore and both costume displays and meet-and-greets in Hollywood and Orlando.
Universal’s history with literary properties also lends credibility to the theory. Harry Potter was once considered a long shot for a theme park and is now one of the resort’s most lucrative draws. As with the Wizarding World, Wicked offers built-in IP, dramatic visuals, and a loyal fan base.
Epic Universe, for its part, launched with five themed worlds, including lands devoted to Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon and a new Wizarding World zone. It also includes up to five designated expansion areas, offering a long runway for future additions.
Other rumored expansion ideas include Lord of the Rings (which has been heavily rumored for Universal Studios Great Britain), Jurassic World (unlikely, in our opinion, considering the franchise's presence at Islands of Adventure), and Legend of Zelda (which also conveniently has a live-action film adaptation on the way).
If Universal is considering a new “portal” themed to Wicked, the timing could be strategic. By aligning development with the upcoming release of Wicked: For Good, the company could capitalize on a global marketing blitz while maintaining relevance for years to come.
Whether NBC’s upcoming special will serve as a hint or a full-fledged reveal remains to be seen. But as the studio continues to build out its Orlando footprint, a land devoted to Elphaba, Glinda, and the world of Oz no longer feels out of reach.
