‘Wicked‘ Director Jon M. Chu frames Film as Urgent Reflection of American Identity
Los Angeles – Director Jon M. Chu views the release of his film Wicked: For Good not merely as entertainment, but as a timely intervention in a moment of profound cultural and political uncertainty. The film, a cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, arrives as anxieties surrounding authenticity and societal upheaval intensify, prompting Chu too emphasize the human element in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Chu, born to Chinese-American parents, describes his upbringing as existing within a “melting pot” – a concept he reframes as less harmonious than traditionally portrayed. “Melting isn’t fun,” he stated, articulating a core theme of navigating identity in a nation undergoing rapid change. This personal outlook informs his approach to Wicked, positioning it as a story about embracing difference and challenging preconceived notions, notably relevant as debates around cultural identity and political polarization dominate the national conversation. The film’s production deliberately eschewed generative AI, with Chu proudly noting imperfections – a dancer slightly off-beat, a string instrument marginally out of tune - as evidence of genuine human creation.
The project gained momentum at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,a period Chu describes as a collective reckoning. “Everything was changing around us…Everything was resetting. We felt like strangers in our own homes,” he explained, suggesting the film taps into a widespread sense of displacement and the search for renewed meaning. Chu frames his work as being “on the frontlines, telling one of the biggest stories” amidst “political upheaval, social upheaval, cultural identity crises.”
He believes cinema offers a unique, protected space for collective experience. “You have to put your phone aside…you see the world through someone else’s eyes,” Chu said, underscoring his sense of obligation to use this platform to reflect and question the world outside the theater. Wicked: For Good is scheduled for release on November 21st.
