Jon M. Chu Reveals No CGI Used in Wicked: For Good Clip
Director Jon M. Chu previews emotional Wicked For Good scene. [Image Source: HDNUX]
Director Jon M. Chu offered fans an exclusive first look at a new Wicked sequel, For Good, during the BFI London Film Festival on Friday, months ahead of its November 21 release. Highlighting his dedication to practical effects, Chu emphasized that no CGI was employed for key characters, enhancing the anticipation surrounding this follow-up to Universal’s hit musical adaptation.
A Glimpse into the Emotional Reunion Scene
At the festival’s LFF for Free event, Chu unveiled a fresh clip showing a poignant moment between Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, portrayed by Ariana Grande. The scene captures Elphaba visiting Glinda on her wedding day, secretly reuniting after the climactic events of Defying Gravity. Glinda, wearing an intricate white gown, tearfully urges Elphaba to negotiate with the Wizard amid danger from his flying monkeys. Before Glinda can finish, Elphaba disappears, leaving a heart-wrenching moment of unspoken tension.
Commitment to Practical Effects for Iconic Characters
Jon M. Chu revealed that in creating For Good, the transformation of former characters Boq and Fiyero into the Tin Man and Scarecrow involved no digital manipulation. Instead, the production relied entirely on physical makeup and hairstyling. Chu teased,
“By the way, wait until you see the Tin Man and the Scarecrow,”
and added,
“These are not digital effects. These are real physical make-up and hair and it is extraordinary. I couldn’t show you any footage here, but when you see it, know there was no room for error on it.”
The Power and Intimacy of the Title Song’s Performance
The sequel’s title derives from the beloved song, For Good, and Chu shared that the rendition by Erivo and Grande in the film is deeply moving. He described their performance as
Image of: Jon M. Chu
“the most beautiful, emotional version of it I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Chu further explained how the scene went beyond singing, stating,
“That song is about literally what they’re doing with their eyes,”
emphasizing the subtle emotional communication between the two actresses.
Recognizing that For Good is one of the most covered songs worldwide, Chu noted its unique impact in this film comes from viewers’ familiarity with the characters. He elaborated,
“The way they were singing it to each other almost wasn’t singing, it was just like communicating. And you’ve got to just let them do it and let them drive. It became like, ‘Filmmakers, get out of the way.’”
Initially, Chu experimented with wide, sweeping shots for this scene, which remained in the cut for seven months. However, he eventually preferred a more intimate approach, settling on close, personal cinematography to capture the genuine connection.
Production Details and Franchise Impact
Both Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good were filmed consecutively in the U.K., with NBCUniversal’s new Sky Studios Elstree serving as the primary production base. The original film, released in late 2024, was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $750 million worldwide and ranking as the fifth highest-grossing film that year. It earned critical acclaim, securing recognition by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review, 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture, and winning in categories like Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Upcoming Projects and Creative Vision
Following his work on Wicked, Jon M. Chu revealed plans to adapt another celebrated stage musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, for Amazon Studios. Reuniting with his In the Heights producer Scott Sanders, Chu expressed a personal connection to this project.
Speaking about the musical, he said,
“It’s something that I hold dear to my heart,”
and acknowledged the challenges ahead in translating its tone to film:
“It’s my favorite show, but it’s a hard one to preconceive for now and [decide] how to do it with the tone. But I love it so much and I think we’ve cracked something in there that’s really fun.”
With expectations high for Wicked: For Good, Jon M. Chu’s emphasis on practical effects and heartfelt performances continues to build on the original film’s legacy, ensuring fans that the sequel will deliver emotional depth and authentic atmosphere without relying on CGI. As the release approaches, audiences look forward to seeing these ambitions realized on screen.
