Bowen Yang’s Schedule Juggling Wicked And SNL Sounds Crazy, But He Wasn’t The Only Cast Member Working On An Extremely Tight Timetable

by

As a longtime movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of musical films from the golden age to the modern era, I must say that the current box office battle between Moana 2 and Wicked is a spectacle worth savoring. With my decades-long immersion in cinema history, I can’t help but draw parallels between today’s stars and their predecessors who juggled multiple projects while pushing the boundaries of entertainment.

During the festive period, it’s evident that two heavyweights are fiercely competing for viewer interest at the cinema… and it appears to be a win for musical enthusiasts! On the animated front, Moana 2 is demonstrating Disney’s wise decision to debut the sequel in cinemas instead of streaming it on Disney+. Simultaneously, Jon M. Chu’s film version of the hit Broadway show Wicked is gaining momentum, boosting its position as a strong contender for awards, particularly as more details about the complex, grandiose production of this cinematic behemoth emerge.

Before the premiere of the movie, co-star Bowen Yang disclosed in an interview that he experienced a breakdown due to the constant travel between London and New York City while managing the filming schedules for both the musical and Saturday Night Live. For Yang, it was crucial to be present at both events, and he overextended himself to avoid letting either one down.

During an interview with TopMob’s ReelBlend podcast about the production of the movie “Wicked“, we brought up Jon M. Chu’s busy schedule and found out that he wasn’t the only one juggling tasks. Chu revealed to us that:

The influence of our producer, Marc Platt, is truly remarkable. He’s always eager to dive into the intricacies, and I must admit, sometimes it feels overwhelming for me. However, when it comes to managing the production for SNL and ours, he’s more than capable.

It’s fascinating how many elements can potentially disrupt a large-scale movie production, and the cast’s schedule is often one of the most critical factors, especially for productions like “Wicked” that boast an ensemble cast filled with musical heavyweights, accomplished performers who are frequently sought after for other projects, and behind-the-scenes magicians working tirelessly to bring the film to life. In discussing Bowen Yang’s ability to juggle both “Wicked” and SNL, Jon M. Chu drew parallels to stories he’d heard about Michael J. Fox managing “Back to the Future” alongside his work on “Family Ties,” or Chris Farley and David Spade maintaining their SNL duties while filming “Tommy Boy” in Toronto.

Don’t forget to tune in to our entire interview with Jon M. Chu, the director of Wicked, which is now live on ReelBlend.

Don’t miss out on watching “Wicked: Part One” in cinemas! This classic musical is reminiscent of those that could potentially earn a Best Picture Oscar, given the right moves. If you haven’t experienced it yet, now’s your chance!

Read More

2024-12-09 19:07