Jon M. Chu reflects on his personal connection to Wicked and the magic of bringing it to the big screen: “I immediately fell in love with the musical and knew that one day it would also be a great movie”
The musical Wicked has captured hearts worldwide for over two decades, enchanting audiences with its spellbinding story and iconic songs. For director Jon M. Chu, the journey to bring this beloved tale to the big screen was as magical as the story itself.
Jon M. Chu reflects on his personal connection to Wicked and the magic of bringing it to the big screen: “I immediately fell in love with the musical and knew that one day it would also be a great movie”
A Personal Connection to Wicked’s World
Jon’s first encounter with Wicked was long before it became a Broadway sensation. “I first saw Wicked before it was a hit on Broadway, during a short run in San Francisco while I was in film school,” he recalled. “I immediately fell in love with the musical and knew that one day it would also be a great movie.” His love for The Wizard of Oz and the idea of exploring the “wicked” witch’s backstory led him to envision Wicked not just as a stage show, but as a cinematic experience that would allow viewers to dive deeper into the characters’ emotions.
A Dream Come True
When the opportunity to direct Wicked came knocking, Jon could hardly believe his luck. “When just a few years ago they called me to direct WickedI couldn’t believe it. I felt so lucky to bring the world of Oz – that has been portrayed by so many artists – to life. And to do it in such an immersive and expansive way was so exciting. Then we decided to make two movies, making sure that each one was emotionally satisfying and gave each character room to breathe,” he said.
A Cinematic Experience
Jon reflects on the type of film he wanted to create: one that transports audiences, much like the films that inspired him. “It’s the kind of film that made me fall in love with cinema, thanks to movies like Lawrence of Arabia, ET and The Lord of the Rings because it transports you with the magic of the giant screen wrapping around you while you sit in the dark with a bunch of strangers and immerse yourself in the point of view of someone else’s life – which in this case is extraordinary,” he stated. x
The Heart of the Story: Elphaba and Glinda
At the core of Wicked lies the friendship between Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch, and Glinda, the Good Witch. Jon was adamant about casting performers who could bring these complex roles to life. “These roles needed master craftsmanship, as they required great singing and acting intertwining seamlessly,” he said. The cast, including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, brought both the necessary talent and unique chemistry to the screen. “Cynthia has this vulnerability with the character of Elphaba that makes her yearn and feel out of place,” Jon says, while Ariana, he believes, will surprise audiences with her depth in the role of Glinda.
The Trailer and The Wait
As the highly anticipated film draws closer to release, Jon reflects on the challenge of crafting the perfect trailer. “There could probably be a documentary about the making of a trailer, as there are so many opinions. In the end, I’m really proud of it because I feel you get the essence of the movie with our trailer even though it’s just a little inch of what you eventually will experience with this big movie, and I’m excited to get to share this secret that we have been so lucky to work on,” he stated.
A Transformative Experience
John believes Wicked offers more than just entertainment—it’s a transformative experience. “They should expect an experience that they have needed for a long time. I know we needed it, even if at the time we didn’t know it when we were making it, and that everyone’s heart is on the canvas. So, I hope audiences have a lot of fun watching WickedIt has music, dance, adventure, action… Also, there is a part of you that will go back to being a kid when you watch this film, recognizing the yellow brick road and being delighted in every turn, and yet your adult self will feel this relationship between these two friends very deeply. There is healing to it too, which is why anyone who is going through change and needs to escape will feel this movie is for them, he added.
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