Jon M. Chu on Directing Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo in 'Wicked: For Good'

Adapting the "Wicked" Story

• 💡 Director Jon M. Chu viewed the second half of Wicked (For Good) as the core of the narrative, focusing on the characters' adult experiences and the consequences of their choices.
• 🧠 The film delves into themes of loneliness when standing against power, questioning the concept of "home," and Glinda's journey to pop her "bubble of privilege."
• 🎶 New songs were incorporated to provide deeper avenues into the characters' mindsets, emphasizing that musicals offer a way to explore inner emotions rather than just spectacle.

Directing the Stars

• 🚀 Ariana Grande (Glinda) took on the significant responsibility of her first lead film role, requiring sustained energy for two movies.
• ✨ Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) brought her established presence, and both leading ladies collaborated, helping each other grow throughout the production.
• 🤝 Chu emphasized a partnership approach with his actors, prioritizing discussion and finding the "truth" in performances over rigid technical direction.

The Filming Process

• 🎬 The movie was shot continuously, with scenes from both parts of "Wicked" filmed interchangeably, demanding actors and crew to jump between emotional states.
• 🗺️ A storytelling guide board was used to map each character's emotional journey, focusing on their questions, acceptance, and resistance to reality.
• ⚙️ Despite the technical complexities of musicals (pre-recorded tracks, earwigs), the focus remained on capturing authentic truth through the performances.

The Power of Musicals

• 🎭 Chu believes musicals allow for a deeper connection to drama and character relationships, using music and movement to explore emotions beyond typical dialogue.
• 🌟 The film aims to balance grand dance numbers with profoundly intimate emotional moments, showcasing the versatility of the musical format.
• ✅ Actors in musicals are "triple threats," needing to act, sing, dance, and possess strong presence, which both lead actresses demonstrated.

Crafting Intimate Moments

• 💖 For the song "As Long As You're Mine," the intention was shifted to portray a more hesitant and yearning connection between characters, rather than immediate passion.
• 🔍 The scene was designed to show characters finding each other and seeking release after intense experiences, leading to a deeper, more sensual intimacy than a purely sexual one.
• 🌱 This approach allowed the song to emerge organically from the characters' emotional journey, making the audience experience the step-by-step development of their bond.