‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu Reveals His Biggest Fear While Making the Film

Jon M. Chu had to overcome many obstacles and anxieties to bring the well-loved tale to the big screen as director of ‘Wicked’.

At a recent showing of the movie at Hollywood’s Linwood Dunn Theater, Chu, along with actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and producer Marc Platt, acknowledged that he was terrified by nearly every aspect of the process. His greatest obstacle, though, was undoubtedly ‘Defying Gravity’, the musical’s most famous scene. Making the magic believable while adhering to Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s vision was a special challenge for the scene, which calls for Elphaba to soar while delivering stirring, emotive lyrics.

Chu clarified that, despite the pressure, he eventually had to put his worries aside after realizing that they would only stifle his creativity. 

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He relied on the enthusiasm of the crew and actors, who were all passionate about preserving the story and were avid admirers of the original theatrical show. The group put a lot of effort into creating a setting that was both imaginative and realistic, emphasizing the depth of Elphaba and Glinda’s emotional bond. Even if Elphaba herself seemed withdrawn, Chu underlined their dedication to making sure the audience would experience the realism of her hardships and Glinda’s comprehension of her goals.

Chu claimed that because the team was always asking how to improve the narrative, the images, and the emotional effect, every day on site was an opportunity to push the envelope. Another level of accountability was introduced by Wicked’s enormous cultural impact and its association with ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Chu pointed out that the original 1900 edition of L. Frank Baum’s book was intended to be an “American fairy tale” with a strong emphasis on themes like fortitude, hope, and independence. 

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With its portrayal of hope and promise “beyond the rainbow,” the 1939 ‘Wizard of Oz’ movie, in particular, solidified Oz as a representation of the American ideal.

For Chu, seeing Oz again through Wicked was like seeing an old friend again, providing a new take on a tale that is ingrained in American society. In the end, the team’s zeal and perseverance made the movie come to life and made it appealing to both new and devoted viewers.

Now showing in theatres, ‘Wicked’ has already won praise from critics, including the National Board of Review’s Best Film award.

–Farheen Ali 

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