Director Jon M. Chu has devoted over five years to adapting the iconic Broadway musical Wicked into two feature films, which he views as a single, cohesive narrative experience. This reflection comes as the second film is set to premiere, completing the ambitious project that has captured the attention of audiences and critics alike.
Seeing Both Films as a Unified Work
Chu emphasized that he considers the two movies not as separate entities but as integral parts of one extensive story. Speaking on the Awards Circuit Podcast at the 13th annual Middleburg Film Festival, he said,
“It is one movie to me,”
and added,
“When I was thinking of every arc, we were thinking of it as one giant chunk.”
This perspective aligns Chu’s vision with cinematic traditions seen in epic film projects like Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which similarly presented a grand narrative across multiple films.
The Evolution of a Life-Changing Project
The transformation of Wicked from stage to screen was a major undertaking for Chu, who started the journey as a father of two and finished it as a father of five. Remarkably, his fifth child was born on the same day that the first Wicked film debuted, an event that kept him from attending the premiere. His personal milestones became intertwined with the film’s extensive production timeline, highlighting the deep connection he has with the story.
Reception and Recognition of the First Film
The initial Wicked film, released in 2024, introduced viewers to Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda, earning widespread acclaim as reflected in its ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Despite this success, Chu notably was not nominated for Best Director, a rare occurrence shared only with Denis Villeneuve for Dune (2021), where the film received multiple nominations without a directing nod.
Anticipation Builds for the Sequel, Wicked: For Good
The upcoming second film, Wicked: For Good, scheduled for release in November, is intended to conclude the story that has occupied Chu’s mind for years. He described the intense, lingering presence of the project, stating,
“When you live with something for five-plus years, and you dream about it and you wake up with nightmares right in front of you, it sticks with you,”
before adding with a touch of humor,
“I have not processed it yet.”
The Emotional Impact of Finishing the Films
Chu admitted that concluding the project brought unexpected emotions. Reflecting on the empty workspace after the completion of filming, he said,
“Everyone was very emotional, and I couldn’t feel it yet,”
and added,
“I was like, ‘No, I’ll see you next week.’ But I think the office is empty now, which is really sad.”
This reveals the depth of emotional investment Chu and his team shared throughout the demanding production.
Facing Pressure and Challenges Throughout Production
Given the beloved status of the Wicked musical, Chu encountered high expectations and scrutiny from fans known to have strong opinions about adaptations. He acknowledged this intense feedback, saying,
“Everyone has an opinion about ‘Wicked,’”
and continued,
“Everyone has an opinion about ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ all the different versions — from ‘The Wiz’ to the original — everyone has their own way. And with the internet, everybody has a microphone. So I felt the knives out.”
The challenges were amplified because production began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when the viability of movie musicals was uncertain, and the genre was seen as risky. Chu confessed times of doubt, stating,
“There were times that I would lay on the ground in my kitchen after just prep and be like, ‘I don’t know. I hope this all works out,’”
but also expressed his passion for filmmaking, explaining,
“I love this job because we can take big swings. It’s the only medium where you can get thousands of people to build a spaceship, essentially, and take people to another planet.”
Chu’s Motivation and Love for Film
Chu sees risk as part of the creative process and embraces the challenge head-on. He shared,
“If you’re not going to take a giant swing, what are you doing here?”
and reflected on his passion,
“This is why I fell in love with movies. Watching ‘E.T.’ or ‘Batman’ or ‘Jaws,’ where we all gather and experience something bigger than ourselves.”
His dedication has driven the scale and ambition of the Wicked adaptations.
What to Expect from Wicked: For Good
According to Chu, the second film will deepen and expand the emotional and visual experience, serving as the story’s climax. He teased,
“Once you see ‘Movie Two,’ you cannot forget it. It will always be tied to your movie one experience.”
Chu described the tone as more mature, with all narrative elements converging powerfully.
He elaborated,
“It’s the moment where everything we’ve set up — the friendship, the heartbreak, the magic — comes crashing together,”
and added,
“When you get to that last song, when they sing ‘For Good,’ it’s going to hit like a freight train. I’ve lived with this story for five years, and I still cry every time.”
Closing a Meaningful Chapter
After years committed to this project, Chu expressed readiness to move on, saying,
“It’s one big story to me, and now, finally, I get to let it go.”
His journey with the Wicked films represents a major creative milestone, and audiences eagerly await the emotional payoff that the conclusion promises.
