Jon M. Chu Discusses ‘Wicked’ Sequel’s Dynamic Leads and Relevant Themes

London, England – Jon M. Chu, director of the highly anticipated sequel to the hit film ‘Wicked,’ spoke about the film’s central themes and the dynamic performances of lead actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. As the sequel prepares to debut this Christmas, Chu emphasized the depth and relevance of the story stemming from the classic Wizard of Oz.

The original ‘Wicked’ film reimagines the tale of Oz from the perspective of Elphaba, the misunderstood wicked witch played by Erivo, and her friendship with Glinda, the good witch portrayed by Grande. Chu describes the sequel as ‘surprisingly moving,’ with both films totaling over five hours. The director noted, ‘I just knew it had enough meat in it.’

Chu explained how ‘Wicked’ addresses timeless themes in a contemporary context. ‘Any timeless story feels timely because it’s about the human condition,’ he stated. ‘When people become too powerful, what happens to the powerless? That cycle, unfortunately, challenges us every few generations.’

With a background in telling multicultural stories, Chu acknowledged the importance of representation. He said, ‘I want my kids to live in a world where they’re proud of who they are,’ and attributed his career shifts to wanting to create meaningful narratives.

Both Grande and Erivo, who share a strong bond, were chosen for their unique vocal abilities and emotional depth. Chu recounted how Grande surprised him during auditions, revealing her ability to embody Glinda authentically. Chu said, ‘It was just undeniable. Something about the way she sang it, because she’s been through many tragedies recently, I felt she was singing about me.’

Challenging traditional storytelling, ‘Wicked’ also addresses deeper issues such as discrimination and oppression. Chu noted this as an ongoing theme in his work. ‘Melting pot is way more difficult than a word,’ he remarked, suggesting that unity comes from recognizing individual identities.

As an artistic response to current societal challenges, Chu has made a conscious effort to create films without the influence of artificial intelligence. ‘Generative AI was not used on this movie,’ he said. ‘If you see the camera shake, if you see a dancer and they’re not quite on time, that’s because humans made this.’

‘Wicked’ promises to be more than just entertainment; it aims to provoke thought and reflection on the challenges faced in today’s world. ‘Movies are one of the few protected spaces,’ Chu added. ‘I feel a grand responsibility – if people are giving me this time, coming into this bubble, I have to use it, to say, ‘Do you see what’s happening on the outside?’