November 25th 2024.
Next up, in the world of Wicked, we have director Jon M. Chu, who is still feeling the buzz weeks into the film's press tour. The excitement stems from the incredible reaction Wicked has received so far from both fans and critics. And let's not forget, Chu is also well aware of the amazing experience that's yet to come for audiences who have yet to see the film.
In one of his final interviews before the wide release, the 45-year-old filmmaker shares his thoughts with Metro. He is overflowing with enthusiasm for a project that has been in the works for years. And after witnessing the reactions firsthand during Wicked's premieres, it's no surprise that his excitement remains undimmed.
Now that the review embargo has been lifted, Chu jokes about pretending not to know about the mostly glowing reviews. He's thrilled to see the movie break records for the biggest worldwide opening of a Broadway musical adaptation. But most of all, he's proud of his leading ladies, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. He reflects on the journey of adapting the popular stage show, which is based on Gregory Maguire's novel, inspired by L. Frank Baum's books, and the beloved 1939 movie musical The Wizard of Oz.
It's clear that Chu is giddy over Erivo and Grande's performances. He admits that he knew Grande would be groundbreaking in her role as Glinda, as many people may think they know her, but they've never seen her like this before. He goes on to share that he saw Erivo evolve on set, bringing a beautiful version of Elphaba to life that he had never seen before, even though he knew all the words by heart.
Chu's words ring especially true for Grande, whose connection with Wicked goes back to her childhood. She met the original Broadway Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth, and even at the young age of 10, she told her she wanted to play the part. The two have since become close friends, and as Grande transitioned from her Nickelodeon child stardom to dominating the charts as a top popstar, they continued to support each other. And now, they have reunited for Wicked, after Grande spent months training her voice in the "legit" musical theatre style required for the role.
The buzz surrounding Wicked is undeniable, and Chu couldn't be happier about it. He shares that it's a dream come true to see people connecting with the film and feeling empowered after watching it. As someone who got into the film industry to make an impact, this response means the world to him.
Chu is no stranger to musicals, having directed the lively big screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony-winning musical In the Heights in 2021. But he was well aware of the massive challenge that came with Wicked, one of the most popular stage musicals of the last 20 years. He admits that every inch of the movie was intimidating, but the biggest "itch" was figuring out how to make the film feel like one cohesive story, knowing there would be a part two released next year.
Structurally, Chu explains that it made the most sense to cover the first act of the stage musical, ending with the iconic solo performance of "Defying Gravity" by Elphaba. However, this wasn't as simple as just cutting the musical in half at the intermission. To ensure that the scene had the emotional impact it deserved, Chu and his team had to carefully lay the groundwork throughout the entire movie, so the audience was fully invested in Elphaba's journey to that moment.
In the end, Chu couldn't be more proud of the final product. He shares that the film feels like a gift, and he's excited for audiences to experience it and be swept away by the emotional journey of Wicked.
The talented director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu, is still riding high on the wave of success as the movie's press tour continues. He is thrilled with the overwhelming response from both fans and critics and is excited for those who have not yet experienced the magic of the film.
In one of his final interviews before the wide release, Chu shares his heart is full as he reflects on the years of keeping the project a secret and watching the amazing performances of the leading ladies. He knew from the beginning that something special was happening and he is grateful to have been a part of it.
Chu's enthusiasm for the project, which has been years in the making, has not waned. He fondly remembers the premiere events and the excitement of the audience. Now, with the review embargo lifted, he can proudly joke about pretending not to know about the glowing reviews and the record-breaking opening for a Broadway musical adaptation.
As he speaks about the journey of adapting the beloved stage show, it is clear that Chu's first thoughts go to his leading ladies, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who portray Elphaba and Glinda respectively. He watched Erivo evolve on set and bring a beautiful and unique version of Elphaba to life. Grande, who is breaking new ground with her portrayal of Glinda, underwent a transformation in front of the camera, and Chu couldn't be more proud of her.
Speaking of Grande's journey, Chu's words are especially poignant. Both Erivo and Grande have been generating Oscar buzz for their performances, but for Grande, this role holds a special place in her heart. As a child, she met Kristin Chenoweth, the original Broadway Glinda, and told her that she wanted to play the part. The two have since become close friends, and Grande has made a name for herself as one of the biggest popstars in the world.
While Grande has returned to acting with a role in the star-studded film Don't Look Up, it is clear that all roads have led to Wicked for her. She dedicated months to training her voice in the "legit" musical theatre style required for the role before even auditioning.
The hype surrounding Wicked is undeniable, and Chu is thrilled to share this experience with audiences. He is a master at musicals, having previously directed the lively adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights. However, he was well aware of the immense challenge that came with directing Wicked for the big screen. Every aspect of the movie, from the story to the music, had him feeling intimidated. But the biggest challenge for Chu was making sure the movie felt like one cohesive piece, especially with a sequel planned for release next year.
Chu explains that they had to structure the film in a specific way to capture the essence of the story and characters. He knew that audiences would not accept a half-finished movie if they did not get it right. The movie covers the first act of the stage musical, ending with the iconic Defying Gravity solo for Elphaba. But it was not as simple as cutting the musical in half at the intermission. Chu and his team had to ensure that the emotional journey of the characters leading up to that moment was captured on screen.
The director's passion and dedication to Wicked are evident in every aspect of the film. He wanted to do justice to the beloved story and characters and create a movie that would leave audiences feeling empowered and emotionally satisfied. And it seems like he has succeeded, with viewers already raving about the film and eagerly anticipating the sequel.
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