Get ready to have your heartstrings tugged like never before—Jon M. Chu just dropped a bombshell at the London Film Festival, and it’s everything Wicked fans have been waiting for. But here’s where it gets emotional: Chu promises that the new Wicked: For Good clip will finally shed light on why Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s press run for the first film was so tear-jerkingly raw. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about the characters; it’s about the actors living every moment of this epic saga before we even saw a single frame.
On Friday, Chu treated festival attendees to a sneak peek of the highly anticipated sequel, set to hit theaters on November 21. But before the clip played, he made one heartfelt request: no recordings or photos. This wasn’t just a movie for him—it was a labor of love, and he wanted the audience to experience it unfiltered. During his talk, he pulled back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes magic of a film that’s already garnered 10 Oscar nominations, teasing what’s next for Erivo’s Elphaba and Grande’s Glinda.
Here’s the controversial part: Chu hinted that the emotional intensity of the first film’s press run—where Erivo and Grande were often moved to tears—wasn’t just for show. ‘We lived both movies,’ Chu revealed. ‘We lived their meeting, their separation, their death. We lived the whole thing before you ever saw one frame.’ Bold statement? Absolutely. But it raises a thought-provoking question: Can actors truly embody their characters to this extent, or is it all just part of the performance? What do you think—genuine emotion or masterful acting?
Chu didn’t stop there. He also teased the jaw-dropping practical effects in the film, particularly the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. ‘These are not digital effects,’ he emphasized. ‘These are real, physical makeup and hair. And it is extraordinary.’ It’s a bold move in an era dominated by CGI, but Chu’s commitment to authenticity is undeniable. And this is the part most people miss: the sheer precision required for these effects—‘There was no room for error,’ he said. ‘The team that did it is just incredible.’
The conversation then turned to Chu’s creative process, from casting Erivo and Grande to his decision to split the musical into two films. He also shared his deep-rooted love for musical theater, revealing that he’s currently working on adapting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for Amazon MGM Studios. ‘It’s my favorite show,’ he admitted, ‘but it’s a hard one to reconceive.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: Chu believes they’ve ‘cracked something really cool’ with the adaptation. Is this a risky move, or the fresh take the musical needs? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Before wrapping up, Chu was asked if there were other stories he’d love to adapt, à la Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. His answer? Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat—a project close to his heart. With his In the Heights producer Scott Sanders by his side, Chu is poised to bring this Old Testament tale to life in a way that’s both playful and profound.
The BFI London Film Festival 2025 continues through October 19, but Chu’s revelations have already stolen the show. One thing’s for sure: Wicked: For Good is shaping up to be more than just a sequel—it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, emotion, and artistry. But here’s the real question: Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell. What are your thoughts? Are you excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between? Let’s hear it!
