Jon M. Chu discusses the Creative Courage Behind 'Wicked: For Good,' Trust Building, Wall Breaking, and Leading a Family Through Oz

Jon M. Chu didnt just direct Wicked: For Good; he led an entire world. For five years, he immersed himself in L. Frank Baums universe, overseeing the creation of two films, welcoming three new family members, and managing a vast team of actors and creatives. Yet, when Chu reflects on the project, its not about scale, spectacle, or box office performance; its about trust, responsibility, and the emotional architecture required to guide such a cherished and fiercely protected story.

"When you live with something for over five years, dreaming about it and waking up with nightmares, it becomes part of you," says Chu during the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast. "I havent processed it yet."

While much has been discussed about the mechanics of the film the structure, the risks of adaptation, the evolution of Oz Chus approach is less about grand vision and more about stewardship. His sets are built on a foundation of protection, transparency, and an openness to tear down anything even walls if it serves the scene. His creative team, including cinematographer Alice Brooks, editor Myron Kerstein, and composers John Powell and Stephen Schwartz, operates more as a family than a traditional crew. For Chu, creating this collective was the realization of a childhood dream.

"Were all underdogs," he says proudly. "Nobody in the industry fully believes in us, and were used to it. Weve always had to prove ourselves. That mentality doesnt bring us down it fuels us."

This shared sense of being outsiders is at the core of their creative spirit. Chu emphasizes that real collaboration requires the courage to embrace discomfort in the unknown. "Its about being willing to feel uncomfortable and knowing youre supported," he explains. "If you dont know someone, everyones trying to protect their own reputation. But here, we live in the uncomfortable. We look for that moment." This mindset became crucial as Wicked: For Good navigated awards season, earning 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, though Chu himself did not receive a directing nomination. He brushes it off with characteristic warmth.

"When youre a kid, you imagine making movies with your friends," he says. "But in the real world, its about hiring individuals, not teams. So when you find a group that shares your passion, it means everything."

As for the casting process, it was driven by trust, not industry expectations. Conversations about follower counts or marketability were absent. "At first, I thought, let's keep it open to anyone," Chu says. "The studio never pressured us about names or social media following. Not once." What Chu sought was an undeniable spark a sense of destiny. "When Cynthia walks in and sings, you feel it in your bones. And when Ari became Glinda, there was no question," he recalls, likening their chemistry to uncovering a secret that couldnt be shared before the right moment. "I knew what everyone is seeing now I saw it on day four."

Throughout the interview, Chu repeatedly circles back to the emotional depth of the story. When he revisited the musical during the pandemic, he wondered if it still resonated after 20 years. The answer, he says, came instantly. "It felt like the most relevant thing Id ever read," he shares.

For Chu, the storys relevance is not political but profoundly human a depiction of fractured communities, manipulated narratives, and the ease with which society turns to villainy. "The truth is not a thing of fact or reason," he quotes from the film. "Its just what we all agree on." That line, penned decades ago, feels strikingly contemporary. "Every week it feels more relevant," he admits. "The pressure is mounting for a story like this."

With Wicked now complete, Chu is turning his attention to his first animated feature, Oh, the Places Youll Go, due for release in 2028. Though his schedule is packed, hes in no rush to pick his next live-action project. "I thought Id be exhausted after this," he says. "But no I feel energized. We have so much more to do."

Before he moves on to new challenges, though, Chu must say goodbye to the world he spent years building. "I think the office is empty now, which is really sad," he reflects quietly. "I dont want it to end." Then, with a smile, he adds, "But thats storytelling, right? You build something, you live in it fully, and then you let it go so others can make it their own."

For the filmmaker who dedicated half a decade to exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery, the lessons of Wicked have left a lasting imprint. In Chus Oz, the true magic wasnt the spectacle or the effects it was the trust, vulnerability, and sense of chosen family that made it all possible.

"Through this movie, we link arms and prove to people and maybe even to ourselves that we could reach this," Chu says.

Wicked: For Good is now playing in theaters.

Author: Logan Reeves