As a lifelong fan of all things Oz, I have always been captivated by the intricate stories and characters that populate this magical world. But with the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked,” my fascination has reached new heights. Director Jon M. Chu’s vision for this beloved musical is nothing short of brilliant, as he masterfully subverts our preconceived notions about good and evil.
Initially, “Wicked” appears as a typical prequel to L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.” However, upon closer examination, the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, the hit Broadway musical it spawned, and the upcoming Universal Pictures adaptations reveal a clever twist on the common perceptions about the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed as the broom-flying, water-hating villain. In this reimagining of the classic tale, the character (originally named Elphaba Thropp) was unfairly labeled in Oz due to her rebellion against the Wizard, who aimed to exploit her magical abilities for personal gain.
The movie “Wicked” is centered around challenging the audience’s traditional understanding of good and evil by twisting their expectations, as director Jon M. Chu aimed to emphasize in his two-part film adaptation of the renowned stage production. As cinematographer Alice Brooks, who has been working with Chu since their time together at USC film school over 20 years ago, recently shared with NBC Insider, “We always tackle a script on an emotional level.” “Our initial discussions revolve around emotional cues and themes, as well as the essential aspects of humanity,” Brooks added.
Jon M. Chu’s vision for Wicked that guided the look of the entire movie
Brooks explained, “In this film, light isn’t just light and darkness isn’t merely darkness. Good isn’t purely good and evil isn’t simply evil,” he added. This concept haunted me during preparation. I had an idea where the sun would always rise for Glinda [Ariana Grande] and set for Elphaba [Cynthia Erivo]. Initially, Glinda’s scenes were scripted to be lit brightly, but other moments weren’t specified. I proposed varying the time of day in these unscripted scenes to Jon M. Chu, and he agreed to many of my suggestions, which was truly incredible.
In the captivating scene of “Popular,” you’ll find a breathtakingly extended sunrise that transforms into Glinda’s stage illumination, as Brooks pointed out. On the other hand, for the moving number “I’m Not That Girl,” sung immediately after Elphaba and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) make their escape with the liberated lion cub, take a moment to observe the sky, and you’ll witness the sun gracefully descending in the backdrop.
In the same vein, the final 40 minutes of the film are seamlessly like a continuous sunset, as suggested by the cinematographer. This implies that Wicked Part One concludes with “Defying Gravity,” the iconic song from the original Broadway musical, reinforcing the cinematographer’s tease. Brooks further added that this choice allowed him to incorporate a theatrical feel into the lighting, aiming to pay homage to the stage musical while ensuring a theatrically immersive experience. The film boasts numerous intricate and subtle lighting cues, all rooted in nature, totaling thousands throughout the movie.
How can you watch Wicked in theaters?
🎬 Starting this Friday, November 22nd, I’ll be soaring above reality as I defy gravity in theaters everywhere with “Wicked”! Secure your tickets now for you and the entire family by clicking here. The film is rated PG due to some intense action scenes, mature themes, and brief suggestive content. Let’s embark on this magical journey together!
The direct sequel — Wicked Part Two — is set to follow on November 21, 2025.
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2024-11-18 21:03