In a thrilling turn of events at the London Film Festival, Jon M. Chu unveiled a sneak peek of the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good, and hinted at what's to come in his next musical-to-screen adaptation. The filmmaker, with a plea to the audience at BFI Southbank, shared a short clip of the film, set to hit theaters on Nov. 21, without allowing any recordings or photographs.
Chu delved into the behind-the-scenes of the 10-time Oscar-nominated film, discussing the emotional journey of Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda in the second installment. He addressed the intense press run for the first film, where Erivo and Grande were often moved to tears during interviews, and suggested that the same emotional intensity awaits viewers in the upcoming film.
Chu also teased the incredible physical makeup and hair effects used for the Tin Man and the Scarecrow, emphasizing the lack of digital effects and the extraordinary work of the team behind these characters. He discussed the casting process, his decision to split the musical into two parts, and his personal connection to musical theater before showing a glimpse of Wicked: For Good.
When asked about other stories he'd like to adapt for the stage, Chu revealed his interest in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, his favorite show. He acknowledged the challenges of reconceiving the story for a modern audience but expressed his excitement about the progress made. Chu is set to direct the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 1968 musical for Amazon MGM Studios, reuniting with his In The Heights producer Scott Sanders.
The BFI London Film Festival 2025 runs through Oct. 19, promising more exciting reveals and discussions about the world of cinema.
