As a long-time musical theater enthusiast who has been following the development of “Wicked” since its debut on Broadway, I must say that Jon M. Chu’s approach to the film adaptation has been nothing short of captivating. His dedication to staying true to the source material while also infusing it with his own creative vision is commendable.
It’s challenging for Jon M. Chu to bring a film version of Wicked to life without acknowledging the original Broadway stars, Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda), in some way. Many people who have watched the movie can attest that Menzel and Chenoweth appear in the third act, marking their departure from Shiz University and arrival in the Emerald City during the musical number “One Short Day.” However, our conversation with Chu revealed that his initial plans for Menzel and Chenowet evolved significantly as filming progressed.
Jon M. Chu recently joined TopMob’s ReelBlend podcast as a guest, discussing various aspects of the film’s response and production, including the filming of the Broadway musical. When we mentioned the cameos by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowet, we delved into the challenge of highlighting their remarkable talents without distracting from the movie that audiences have come to see, which primarily focuses on Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Despite being incredibly talented, Menzel and Chenowet could potentially draw attention away from the main stars of the film.
But as Chu told us during this exclusive interview:
Previously, they appeared in minor roles, sparking speculation like, “Perhaps they’re Glinda’s parents?” or “Maybe they’re this or that…” However, upon further contemplation, it didn’t seem right. They’re currently at the pinnacle of their careers! Unlike some who have retired from acting, they’re still active. We wanted them to shine in their roles. As a fan myself, I felt if they were in this movie, I’d expect them to perform at their best. And so, we had an established segment called Wizomania. It wasn’t exactly that name, but it was a journey through the land of Oz, similar to It’s a Small World ride where you board a boat and travel through Oz’s history. The performance would take place around them, followed by a return to the Wizard Palace.
As a devoted fan, I find it fascinating to learn about significant storyline transformations in blockbuster films such as “Wicked.” It underscores the importance of being adaptable, even when you’ve meticulously planned, budgeted, and prepared for a production to follow a specific path. However, when creatively something doesn’t sit well, it’s crucial to stand firm, as Joh M. Chu elucidated in his conversation with ReelBlend. He emphasized that having brilliant minds like composer Stephen Schwartz around can make quick fixes when issues arise.
(Stephen) said something along the lines of, “Just give me one night.” He then transformed the situation into an entertaining spectacle for these girls. He succeeded in making it enjoyable. This moment felt significant, serving as a kind of farewell. However, during editing, we debated whether to reveal too much or not, considering how much is appropriate for the audience. We oscillated slightly, trying to strike the perfect balance.
Could I have just one evening to myself?” Imagine having that chance… To slip away and pen a song that both Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel might belt out in the Wicked film? Unbelievable. Don’t forget to tune into our complete interview with Jon M. Chu, on ReelBlend!
It’s great that audiences finally are getting the chance to see a Wicked movie, as the production had been rumored, started, stopped, paused, rushed, held and then some on its way to the screen. It seems to be a powerhouse, and I wonder if that will carry it all the way to the Oscars. Time will tell.
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2024-12-06 22:09