The 'Wicked' Movies Will Offer a More 'Intimate' Experience Than Stage Show, Says Director

The upcoming film adaptation of Stephen Schwartz’s acclaimed Broadway musical ‘Wicked’—which draws from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’—is generating significant excitement. This highly anticipated movie features an impressive cast, including Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda. 

Director Jon M. Chu has shared that the film delves deeply into the characters, revealing emotional layers beyond the familiar songs. “We got deep. We got deep in there,” Chu explains. “I mean, Elphaba has a lot of wounds, but so does Glinda, and we found all those with these two girls who really gave it the truth beyond the songs that we know.”

Also Read: Omar Apollo to Star in New Movie ‘Queer’ Alongside Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey

Chu praises Schwartz’s contribution to the musical, highlighting the depth and nuance of the lyrics. He describes the composer as “prophetic,” emphasising that Schwartz's songwriting is richly layered. “Because of the camera, because it’s not a stage show, we get to go closer,” Chu continues. 

“We get to be more intimate. We get the camera two inches from their face, so we can see when they're lying, when they're not or when they're lying to themselves.” This close-up perspective adds a level of emotional intensity that is difficult to achieve in a traditional stage setting, where the audience's view is more distant.

Chu’s collaboration with Grande on the film has fostered a strong relationship between them. Grande’s support extended beyond the set; she played a key role in promoting Chu’s memoir, which was released recently. She hosted a virtual Q&A event for Chu and his co-author Jeremy McCarter, showcasing her dedication and involvement. “She was so prepared. She did such a good job,” Chu says of Grande’s effort. 

“She sent me a Google Doc with my questions, and it was fun to watch her just do like, homework, and I’m so happy.” Chu notes that Grande’s willingness to go above and beyond, despite her own busy schedule, reflects the closeness of their bond. “She doesn’t need to do that. She gets paid so much money to do this for other people, but the fact that she did it for me means a lot. That’s how close we are,” he adds.

-Sushmita Sarkar