Wicked: For Good, Can the Sequel Match Its Oscar-Sized Ambitions?
Last year, Wicked made a splash on the Oscar stage, scoring a staggering 10 nominations and walking away with wins for Production Design and Costume Design. Now, with Wicked: For Good hitting theatres, the big question on everyone’s minds is: can Part Two replicate, or even surpass the first film’s awards success?
Historically, sequels that were Oscar contenders tend to see diminishing returns. Even among the few franchises that broke into Best Picture (think Dune: Part Two, The Lord of the Rings, or Avatar: The Way of Water) nominations rarely match the original, and acting accolades are almost nonexistent. But Wicked: For Good is far from a standard sequel.
This instalment has some fresh avenues for recognition. For the first time, the new Casting award is in play, plus there are two original songs, both eligible for nomination. Meanwhile, performances that captured hearts in Part One, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, remain in contention. This is significant because acting nominations in sequels are notoriously rare. In fact, in Oscar history, only six actors have ever been nominated twice for the same role, and just two went on to win. A double nomination in Supporting Actress (the category where Grande would compete) has never happened. Yet pundits are buzzing about the possibility this year, and she’s even the current favourite to win.
The technical categories are more of a gamble. Branches may feel they’ve “seen it all” in Part One, potentially overlooking some crafts in favour of newer material. Still, the addition of fresh design elements, new songs, and inventive visual work could keep Wicked: For Good competitive.
Looking purely at nomination potential, the sequel is competitive in 14 categories:
- Picture
- Director
- Actress
- Supporting Actress
- Supporting Actor
- Adapted Screenplay
- Casting
- Cinematography
- Production Design
- Costume Design
- Makeup and Hair
- Visual Effects
- Sound
- Original Song x2
Thanks to the new songs and the casting category, I see a strong path to another 10 nominations, particularly if both original songs make the cut. That said, history is a cautionary tale. Sequels rarely match their predecessors’ Oscar haul, and the stats are not on Wicked: For Good’s side. But the Academy has been known to break statistics in recent years, and with this franchise’s combination of technical mastery, beloved performances, and cultural resonance, anything is possible.
If nothing else, Wicked: For Good reminds us that sometimes, sequels deserve their own moment in the awards spotlight, especially when they dare to be bigger, bolder, and, yes, maybe even more magical than the first.
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Binge. play. Watch. Repeat.
