Director Reveals How ‘Wicked’s Awards Season Success Influenced the Second Movie

Jon M. Chu is deep in the editing process for Wicked: For Good while also navigating the awards season for the first installment. But as audiences react to Wicked, he admits it’s making him rethink certain choices in the sequel.

‘It does affect how we went back into the cut,’ he told reporters after winning Best Director at the Critics Choice Awards. ‘People are paying attention to every detail, so maybe we don’t have to remind them as much. Or maybe we can be more subtle with certain things.’

Chu didn’t expect fan reactions to have such an impact, but now that he’s back in the editing room, he sees things differently. ‘Before, we had to make sure everything was clear for everyone. Now, I feel more in the headspace of where we are and what we can trust the audience to pick up on.’

As for Wicked: For Good, Chu is keeping major plot details under wraps since the story is already well known. But he teased what viewers can expect from stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

‘If you love them, just wait,’ he said. ‘Wait until you see where their relationship goes, the heights they reach. Oz is bigger, more expansive, and the themes hit even harder with what’s happening in the world today. It’s about courage, consequences, and choosing who you want to be once you know the truth.’

Erivo also shared her thoughts on the sequel, hinting at a deeper, darker tone. ‘It’s a really beautiful part of the story,’ she said. ‘A little darker, but just as meaningful.’

Chu was caught off guard by his Critics Choice Awards win, especially after being left out of the Oscars’ Best Director category. On stage, he made light of the snub but later shared how much the recognition meant to him.

‘To even be here means the world to me,’ he said. ‘This movie deserves to be seen, to be loved. I think it deserves all the praise it gets.’

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