“Chu’s Wildest Wizardry: The Magic of Bringing Wicked to the Big Screen”

**Exclusive: Jon M. Chu Reveals the Secrets of Bringing Wicked to Life**

Fans can now experience the magic of the hit musical film Wicked like never before with the digital release of the movie, featuring exclusive bonus features, deleted scenes, and a commentary track with stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Universal Pictures has given us an inside look at the creative process behind the film’s success, and Jon M. Chu, the director of the movie, is sharing his insights on the making of Wicked.

**American Fairy Tale**

Chu notes that The Wizard of Oz is an American fairy tale, and its time-period setting is crucial to understanding the story’s themes. “It’s interesting, Wizard of Oz is such an American fairy tale,” he explains. “It was written at the time of American transition, leaving the Depression, going into war. It sort of deals with the American dream, and I love that we get to re-investigate the American dream in Wicked through a new perspective.”

**The Flying Monkeys are Universal Monsters**

The flying monkeys, a key part of the film’s climax, received special attention in terms of their design. Chu says, “When we think about the flying monkeys, we often compare them to one of the many characters in the monster universe of Universal. And so portraying them in the most physical and touchable, real way was something that we really wanted to do.”

**A Connection to In the Heights**

In the film, a pivotal moment occurs when Glinda is asked a crucial question. Chu reveals that Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has a history with Chu, was initially considered to voice this question, but it didn’t feel right for the final product. “I got many calls from Lin-Manuel Miranda, who might have publicly also tweeted that he wanted to be that voice and that person, but I thought it would be too distracting,” he admits. “So, sorry Lin.”

**”The Wizard and I”**

The “I want” motivation of Elphaba is complex, and Chu explains that she doesn’t actively wish to be another color besides green. Instead, it’s everyone else who tells her she shouldn’t be green, sparking her self-doubt. The “Wizard and I” musical number, Chu says, is where she realizes, “No, you know what? I’m good with being green.”

**What Is This Feeling?**

A scene in the film features Elphaba and Glinda’s fractious relationship, which Chu describes as the puzzle of Oz represented by the two characters. “Elphaba, she comes in and you see sharper edges. She’s the Z in Oz, and Glinda is the O. So these two things will collide visually.” He also notes that this scene is a homage to the 1950s song “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah,” a campy novelty number about campers writing to their parents.

**Frequently Asked Questions**

Q: Why isn’t the song called “Loathing”?
A: The song, “What Is This Feeling?”, is not called “Loathing” because it’s not actually about loathing at all. It’s about the frustration and tension that can arise when people get uncomfortable with change.

Q: What is the significance of the song’s title?
A: The title “What Is This Feeling?” is meant to capture the emotional complexity of the scene, where Elphaba and Glinda’s relationships are shifting and causing tension. It’s not just about loathing, but about the unease that comes with change.

**Conclusion**

The digital release of Wicked offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the making of this beloved musical. With the commentary track and exclusive bonus features, fans can gain a deeper appreciation for the creativity and attention to detail that went into bringing this production to life. As Chu notes, “I love that [the film] is a new perspective on the American dream… and I think that’s what makes it so relevant today.”**The Magic of Wicked: For Good – Uncovering the Secrets of the Film**

The highly anticipated film, Wicked: For Good, has finally arrived, and fans of the beloved musical are eager to dive into the world of Oz once again. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film offers a fresh take on the classic story, with new characters, music, and themes. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most exciting aspects of the film, from the meet-cute between Elphie and Fiyero to the iconic hat and shoes, and the emotional duet between Elphaba and Glinda.

**Elphie and Fiyero’s Forest Meet-Cute**

One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the relationship between Elphie and Fiyero. As seen in the movie, the pair actually meets before Glinda meets Fiyero. Chu teases a very important relationship in Wicked: For Good between Elphaba and Fiyero, saying, “We don’t get into their full relationship with this movie, so again, these are just breadcrumbs that we’re leading the audience very slowly.” The director explains that the film is about possibilities and choices, and that by the end, Elphaba makes a big choice, leaving room for possibilities in the sequel.

**The Wicked Witch of the West’s Hat**

Another significant aspect of the film is the relationship Elphie makes with her black pointy hat. Chu talks about the moment Galinda considers gifting it to Elphaba as a joke enabled by Pfannee and ShenShen. “I love this moment because it could be constricted in many different ways, but Glinda actually isn’t a bad person here. She is being pushed by Pfannee and ShenShen to give her the hat, and by seeing the book, the sorcery book, that Elphaba brings in, it sort of pushes her even more to give her the hat.”

**A Sister’s Pair of Shiny Shoes**

One of the fun Easter eggs from the film is Nessarose’s shoes, a future iconic object in the realm of Oz lore. “If you look at the crystal shoes, it’s designed to look like two tornadoes, or a tornado on each heel. And it’s beautiful,” Chu points out. The shoes were made distinctive for this iteration of the story, which goes back to the original book’s crystal pair; the famed ruby slippers were created for the Judy Garland picture.

**The Ozdust Duet**

In the duet, we get another huge moment. “We see Glinda blossoming in this moment and [Ariana Grande] is doing an amazing job of playing this line because up to this point she’s basically played a comedic character with no depth,” Chu says. “Defiant like, ‘I’m here even if it feels like the worst thing in my life.’ Because if we gave her too much of a defiant moment like ‘I’m here and you have to deal with it and I’m better than you,’ it wouldn’t play as strong.”

**FAQs**

Q: What is the significance of Elphie’s hat in the film?
A: The hat is a symbol of Elphie’s journey and her connection to the magic of Oz.

Q: Why is Nessarose’s shoes an important Easter egg in the film?
A: The shoes are a nod to the original book’s crystal pair and will become an iconic object in the realm of Oz lore.

Q: What is the significance of the Ozdust duet in the film?
A: The duet marks a turning point in Glinda’s character development, showcasing her growth and depth as a person.

**Conclusion**

Wicked: For Good is a film that offers a fresh take on the classic story, with new characters, music, and themes. From the meet-cute between Elphie and Fiyero to the iconic hat and shoes, and the emotional duet between Elphaba and Glinda, the film is full of exciting moments that will leave fans of the musical eager for more. With its exploration of themes such as identity, friendship, and the power of choice, Wicked: For Good is a film that will resonate with audiences of all ages.**From Glinda to Elphaba: New Footage Reveals the Magic of “Wicked” Movie |

In an exclusive interview with Gizmodo, Tony-award-winning director Jon M. Chu shared insights into the making of Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” an upcoming musical fantasy film based on the global phenomenon of the musical. In this new footage, Chu reveals the secrets behind the film’s stunning visual effects, performances, and the pure magic of bringing the beloved characters to life on the big screen.

A Little Bit of Intelligence and Sensitivity

The director shares the moment when stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo make their connection through touch, which he describes as the heart of the movie. “In those two hands touching, which will be a symbol for the rest of the movie every time they touch, this is the heart of the movie,” Chu explains. “I knew when I saw this in rehearsal and started to weep uncontrollably after watching them do it [that] this is what the movie would be about—this relationship and coming to see each other at their bare bones. And then the two of them could be bonded for life against the world.”

This Public Display of Allyship

This public display of allyship, Chu says, provides a space to see how they can inspire a young generation of Ozians to witness the power of acceptance. It also “shows the unlimited possibilities of what the future of Oz could be—and yet they will be influenced by the propaganda of the wizard and Madame Morrible” later on in part two.

Ariana Grande Made “Popular” Her Own

As bringing the emotion more to the Ozdust dance between the two of them meant the friendship was forged more there, Chu didn’t want to lose its impact by continuing the seriousness in “Popular.” This allowed Ariana Grande to make “Popular” her own, even extending the “la-la-la-lahs.”

“We weren’t sure if we wanted to do an extended ending of it,” the director explains. “But when I saw that hallway, her in the middle of that hallway with the pink morning light coming through—[that] if Ari could do it all in one shot and show how skilled she is at being Galinda, I think this hallway that it would be an instant classic. And so we popped this in last minute and she learned that choreography at the last second. And every time she did it, everyone’s smile was on their face. I mean that was a tour-de-force to see her. Ariana Grande at her peak Galinda, owning that space … that silhouette, that iconic moment is sort of solidified in my brain forever. I hope the audience feels that too.”

OG Broadway Cameos

The leading women of the Ozdust players, of course, had to be played by the original Glinda and Elphaba: Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. Chu knew this very well. “They’re playing the wise women, telling the history of Oz and how the Grimmerie came to be, and that they used to be the only people able to read the Grimmerie, but there was a prophecy of a new person that would be eventually able to read it when they pass,” Chu explains. “We find out later that it’s going to be Elphaba, but we tried to set up that history here. Whether people are actually listening or not, I have no idea, but we had to set up what the Grimmerie was and just to have them do it, it’s just so fun.”

The Wizard was Inspired by Walt Disney

Chu had a blast creating the wizard with actor Jeff Goldblum, who did things like “magic and showing them little tricks and tap dancing and stuff.” He continued to describe how they came up with this version of certain type of “man of tomorrow.”

“This idea of the ultimate storyteller was something that we talked a lot about,” Chu states. “How far would you go to delight people? Even if it takes you to a place of this action and violence and hatred or fear make things more entertaining. And what are you going to compromise for that? So setting him up as a playful Peter Pan-like character, Walt Disney-ish type character. It’s sort of a wish fulfillment that we’re all able to do together.”

The Wizard’s Oz diorama felt very World’s Fair or early Disneyland model. “And what would you want more than anything than Walt Disney to walk you into his like map of Disney? So I love this moment that he gets to present to them. That’s what his thoughts will look like: Wish fulfillment. Pull them into his sandbox. He actually says ‘Come into my sandbox’ and ‘Play with my toys,’ that’s something I always wish I had. And that sort of taps into a childhood fantasy of somebody that you want to fully trust.” And probably shouldn’t.

Wicked is like a Marvel Movie

In an effort to describe the film, Chu notes, “Wicked is like a Marvel movie, but with action and big set pieces… We kept saying this is the craziest movie we’ve ever made—how can a genre have all of these things and plus be a musical? I don’t think we’ve had experience like this before.”

The final act sets up the story’s next act, with “Defying Gravity” setting up the next film. We see the alarms being raised against Elphaba and reactions from the other characters: the disappointment in “Nessa [as her] father has a heart attack. And Glinda is sort of relieved of the danger by Madame Morrible, [who is] going to take her under her wing, and how complicated that is for her. I think that moment is really hard. And Ariana just plays it perfectly, and then we see Fiyero flying out. We don’t know where he’s going to. Who is he going to? And then of course Cynthia flying in and her declaration threat to the wizard.”

**FAQs:**

Q: What is the story of “Wicked” about?
A: The story is about the origins of the Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West, with a focus on the friendship and rivalry between two young women, Elphaba and Galinda, who will eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West.

Q: Who are the leads in the film?
A: The leads are Ariana Grande as Galinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.

Q: What is the tone of the film?
A: The tone is a mix of music, fantasy, and drama, with a touch of dark humor and satire.

Q: Is “Wicked” a musical?
A: Yes, it is a musical fantasy film based on the popular stage musical of the same name.

**Conclusion:**

Director Jon M. Chu has brought a new level of magic to the beloved classic “Wicked,” with stunning visuals, impressive performances, and a loving tribute to the original stage production. The film is now out in theaters and on digital, with “Wicked: For Good” continuing the story this Thanksgiving.