Jon M. Chu on Directing Wicked: Vision for Oz and Musical Numbers

Director's Personal Journey with Wicked

• 💡 Jon M. Chu first saw "Wicked" in workshop and had it on his college list of films he aspired to direct.
• 🚀 His career, including films like "Crazy Rich Asians," profoundly impacted his filmmaking philosophy, shifting his focus to projects with meaningful cultural impact.
• ✅ The pandemic lockdown made the themes of "Defying Gravity" resonate deeply, solidifying his decision to take on the "Wicked" film adaptation.

Defining Oz and Creative Vision

• 🧠 Chu defined Oz as a place of "delight and distraction," contrasting it with the confusing Wonderland and the childlike Neverland.
• 🎨 The design of Shiz University and the library scene emphasized circularity, with Elphaba representing the necessary "crack" or sharp edges within this world.
• 🛠️ The team built a waterway for the university, connecting to L. Frank Baum's book descriptions, despite initial studio hesitation due to cost.

Crafting Musical Sequences

• 📝 Chu's process for musical numbers involved writing prose descriptions, drawing stick-figure storyboards, and collaborating closely with DP Alice Brooks and choreographer Chris Scott.
• 🤸 For complex numbers like "Dancing Through Life," they developed a "tornado wheel" set, requiring parkour dancers and intricate safety protocols, which was a significant challenge.
• 🎤 An impressive 90%+ of vocals were recorded live on set, with lead actress Cynthia Erivo training for a year to sing while performing stunts in a harness.

Innovations in "Defying Gravity"

• ✨ A key addition to the film was Elphaba's fall and moment of self-doubt during "Defying Gravity," which was not in the original play, to ground her journey emotionally.
• 🔑 This moment led to the integration of the "it's me" lyric as an act of self-integration and power, connecting Elphaba to nature and gravity.
• 🎬 The sequence required careful negotiation between epic scope and intimate emotion, allowing for pauses and character-driven moments to enhance the storytelling.