As anticipation builds for the release of ‘Wicked: For Good,’ the second installment in the breathtaking cinematic adaptation of the beloved musical, director Jon M. Chu offers an exclusive glimpse into the creative process. From tweaking colors to filming new lines with stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Chu’s dedication to perfection promises a thrilling and emotionally resonant experience. This article delves into the intricate details of how ‘Wicked: For Good’ took flight, exploring the challenges, innovations, and heartfelt moments that shaped this cinematic journey.
With insights from Chu himself, we uncover the secrets behind the film’s enhanced storytelling, the evolution of its characters, and the surprising twists that await audiences. Discover how Chu and his team navigated the complexities of adapting a stage classic for the big screen, creating a movie that not only honors the source material but also elevates it to new heights.
The Colors of Oz: Perfecting the Visual Palette
Jon M. Chu reveals that perfecting the colors was a significant challenge during the final stages of ‘Wicked: For Good.’ The team encountered unexpected hurdles with the film’s vibrant hues, especially the iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba’s green skin. “The colors were holding us back,” Chu admits. “No joke,” he insists. The tweaking continued until two weeks ago, the acclaimed filmmaker discloses.
The sensitivity of green and the need for consistency across various formats, including HDR, IMAX, and Dolby versions, required meticulous adjustments. “Every time you switch… to the HDR version, to the IMAX version, to the Dolby version, those greens go everywhere…It’s her skin,” he explains, referring to Elphaba’s hue.
Chu elaborates on the importance of the yellow brick road, stating, “It can’t be the honey brick road; it has to be the yellow brick road.” Ensuring the colors remained true to their essence in the expanded color space of modern formats demanded significant effort, ultimately enhancing the film’s visual appeal and immersive quality.
“We spent a lot of time, way more time, not to repaint them, but just tweak to make sure it was in the range that we expected on the film version, on the Dolby version, because you just get more colors in HDR or stuff like that.” – Jon M. Chu
Enhancing Emotional Depth: New Songs and Story Arcs
To deepen the emotional resonance of ‘Wicked: For Good,’ Jon M. Chu collaborated with composer and lyricist Steven Schwartz to introduce new songs and enhance existing ones. These additions were strategically placed to amplify the characters’ journeys and explore their inner conflicts. Chu explains that the new songs, including ‘No Place Like Home’ and ‘Girl in the Bubble,’ were born out of a desire to explore Elphaba and Glinda’s individual struggles and decisions.
The director emphasized the importance of Glinda’s transformation, stating, “This movie had to be about the courage of someone popping their own bubble, a bubble of privilege or their bubble of safety.” The new song, ‘Girl in the Bubble,’ visualizes Glinda’s internal conflict through reflections and distortions, symbolizing her entrapment within her own image.
Chu also reveals that the song ‘For Good’ was refined with added dialogue to emphasize the connection between Elphaba and Glinda. The line, “Look at me, not through your eyes, through theirs,” underscores the theme of empathy and understanding, highlighting Elphaba’s sacrifice and Glinda’s eventual realization of the systemic issues in Oz.
A Thrilling Cinematic Experience: Monster Movie Elements and Superhero Themes
Jon M. Chu describes ‘Wicked: For Good’ as a blend of genres, incorporating elements of a monster movie and superhero themes to create a thrilling cinematic experience. Elphaba’s character is reimagined as a superhero, swooping through the sky on her broomstick, while Glinda navigates her journey in a bubble, symbolizing her initial safety and later her courage to break free.
Chu explains that these elements serve to amplify the characters’ power and agency, stating, “We wanted to show how powerful she really was. I think this is how you show a superhero, especially these women as superheroes, and not have to fit into what a guy’s superhero is, the stereotype of it all.”
The director also emphasizes the importance of Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship, noting that the film delves deeper into their individual struggles and how their decisions impact each other. By exploring themes of courage, sacrifice, and the fight against injustice, ‘Wicked: For Good’ offers a timely and relevant commentary on humanity and the choices we make.
The Relationship Between Elphaba and Fiyero: Sensuality and Truth
The relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, is portrayed with deeper intimacy and sensuality in ‘Wicked: For Good.’ Chu emphasizes that the film is not just about love but about Elphaba discovering her identity and declaring what she wants in her life. Their connection is built on shared truths and a mutual understanding of the world’s injustices.
Chu explains that the song ‘As Long As You’re Mine’ is more sensual in the film because it captures the hesitation and uncertainty between Elphaba and Fiyero. “In this movie they’re actually apart. There’s hesitation. They don’t even know what the other’s going to say,” Chu says. As Fiyero witnesses Elphaba’s resilience and kindness amidst propaganda portraying her as evil, their bond deepens.
This nuanced portrayal of their relationship adds layers of emotional complexity to the film, making their connection more meaningful and impactful. By focusing on their individual journeys and shared values, ‘Wicked: For Good’ elevates their love story beyond a simple romance.
Filming Both Parts Together: A Logistical and Emotional Feat
Jon M. Chu reveals the ambitious undertaking of filming both ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wicked: For Good’ simultaneously. This required meticulous planning and coordination, as the cast and crew had to switch between different sets and emotional states on a daily basis. Chu credits the precision and technique of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for making this feat possible.
He explains that the giant board where I mapped out emotionally where we were helped to track emotionally where the actors were every day to keep it straight. The actors knew where they were in their arc so they could switch emotions quickly depending on what scenes were being filmed that day.
By filming both parts together, Chu was able to maintain a consistent vision and ensure that the characters’ journeys were seamlessly integrated. This approach also allowed for greater efficiency in post-production, as the team could identify areas for enhancement and refinement across both films.
Post-Production and Reshoots: Refining the Vision
After the initial shoot, Jon M. Chu and his team embarked on an extensive post-production process, which included cutting both films together and conducting test screenings. This allowed them to identify areas that needed further refinement and make informed decisions about reshoots. Chu reveals that he showed rough cuts of both movies to studio executives early on to get a sense of the bigger arc and ensure that the story was headed in the right direction.
In March of this year, Chu gathered his crew and returned to the UK to film additional lines for the song ‘For Good’ and refine Glinda’s final speech. They also filmed scenes involving a younger version of Glinda, adding depth to her backstory and motivations. Additionally, Chu approached a celebrated actor via Instagram to voice the Cowardly Lion, adding another layer of star power to the film.
These post-production efforts demonstrate Chu’s unwavering commitment to perfection and his willingness to go the extra mile to deliver a truly exceptional cinematic experience. By incorporating feedback, refining key moments, and adding new elements, Chu and his team elevated ‘Wicked: For Good’ to new heights.
Conclusion: A Timeless Story for Our Time
‘Wicked: For Good’ promises to be more than just a sequel; it’s a profound exploration of humanity, courage, and the power of choice. Jon M. Chu’s dedication to perfection, combined with the exceptional talents of Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and the entire cast and crew, has resulted in a cinematic masterpiece that is sure to resonate with audiences worldwide. The themes presented in the film touch on the challenges we face coming out of lockdown.
This film has the timeless power of storytelling and that’s why The Wizard of Oz and Wicked has lasted for so long. They tap into something that can feel timely at any time. It is about humanity and the cycles of humanity. Unfortunately, we are in a cycle that mirrors the mistreatment of people in the movie. It’s more important than ever that we see who are we going to be? Who are we going to choose to be and what do we stand for?
As we eagerly await the film’s release on November 21, 2025, ‘Wicked: For Good’ stands as a testament to the transformative power of cinema and the enduring legacy of a timeless story. This film is a testament to what the future of movies can be.
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