Director's Perspective: The Key Decision
Jon M. Chu, the director of Wicked, not only defended the decision to make it a two-part film but also explained how it was crucial for the movie's success. Universal was indecisive, constantly wavering between making it one or two movies. Chu emphasized the need to make a firm choice. "You cannot make a good one movie or two movies by dancing back and forth. Commit to two movies right now, otherwise, we're never making those two movies good. I promise you that. We can always change our minds, but we cannot think about it right now." This commitment allowed them to dissect the story, fill plot holes, and build up to the iconic "Defying Gravity."Once the decision was made, they started moving backward from "Defying Gravity" to shape the movie's perspective. In the musical show, Galinda is the host, but in the movie, the audience needs to be introduced to the world first. This shift in perspective changes the tone and narrative. For example, in the theater show, the green girl is the outlier, while in the movie, the normal green girl enters and is initially confused. This one-liner joke sets the stage for the audience's emotional journey.
The musical form is used to evoke the story and push it to the next level. Through scenes like the dorm room encounter between the two main characters, they discover each other's quirks and the reasons for their connection. These little moments help complete the emotional journey and set the stage for the consequences in the second part.
Marketing Challenges and Choices
Chu discussed the marketing decision not to include "Part One" or singing in the trailers. He understood that marketing has its own strategies, and while they were clear from the beginning that there were two parts, it wasn't always easy to present it in a trailer. "When you're actually cutting a trailer, with music in different keys and characters dancing at different rhythms, it becomes a technical mess. It's very difficult to jump from one song to another in an organic way within two minutes. They did the best they could, but it's not exactly how I would have done it."Despite the challenges, they still managed to release musical trailers to give audiences a taste of the show. Chu believed that audiences knew it was a musical anyway, and the focus was on presenting the story effectively.
Filming Process and Logistics
The filming of both parts was a complex process. They shot them simultaneously, using block shooting techniques. Locations changed constantly, like Munchkinland, which served as the town square and underwent various transformations throughout the movie. They also had to manage actor schedules, with stars like Michelle Yeoh having limited availability due to other projects."We had to come back to do 'Defying Gravity' due to the strike, which was emotionally difficult for Cynthia [Erivo] and Ari [Grande]. Erivo had trained for a year for the stunts and voice work, and then had to take a six-month break. But when she came back, she dropped in easily. Ari also had a smooth transition. Shooting for 160 days at that point, coming back and gathering our energy again was crucial."
The logistical challenges of shooting two parts simultaneously and dealing with location changes and actor schedules made the process unique but ultimately led to a more cohesive final product.
***That's just a glimpse of our in-depth interview with Chu. Stay tuned for more on how he got involved with the production, his creative process, and the fascinating story behind getting the show-stopping finale, "Finding Gravity," just right. Wicked is in theaters Friday, and Part Two is set to release next year.Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.