Jon M Chu on Wicked: For Good, melting pots, and the American dream

Jon M Chu discusses the making of Wicked: For Good, the anticipated sequel to the hit film Wicked, highlighting the dynamic performances of Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The director reflects on the original film’s focus on oppression and discrimination in Oz, and how the follow-up deepens themes of segregation, power, and social justice while maintaining the musical’s spectacular spectacle. Chu shares how his own immigrant background shaped a philosophy of multicultural belonging, describing melting pots as complex and ongoing rather than seamless blends. He also explains his deliberate choice to keep the human touch in the production by avoiding generative AI, ensuring authentic performances and live, off-tempo details. The interview underscores Wicked’s relevance to contemporary conversations about identity, power dynamics, and the human condition, framed within a grand, emotionally resonant, and musically expansive narrative. Chu reflects on balancing spectacle with meaningful messaging, and on how cinema can offer a protected space to explore difficult social issues through entertainment.