The director opens up on how he kept the Broadway musical’s heart alive while expanding it for the big screen

Expanding the Magic from Stage to Screen

25 November 2025: Jon M. Chu shared behind-the-scenes details about how he approached the film adaptation of Wicked: For Good — a sequel that translates the beloved Broadway musical into blockbuster form. Chu explained how his goal was to preserve the emotional core of the original while elevating scale, spectacle and cinematic vision for fans new and old.

Staying True to the Original, While Scaling Up

Chu said the first challenge was honoring the musical’s soul — its themes of friendship, identity and defiance — while creating something bold and fresh for the big screen. He described telling the cast, “We’re making the same story, with more air under the wings.” By “air,” he meant dramatic musical set pieces, extended locations, larger ensemble choreography and more immersive audio-visual elements.

Chu emphasized fidelity to the stage version:

Key songs remain uncut or only slightly shortened

Character relationships and arcs were developed in depth

Set design paid homage to iconic stage aesthetics

At the same time, Chu embraced cinematic freedom: sweeping panoramic shots, a robust orchestral score re-imagination, and choreography with practical effects to immerse viewers in Elphaba and Glinda’s world.

Visual Innovation Behind the Curtain

HOLR has the latest news, and among Chu’s revelations:

He used pre-vis VR sessions to enable the choreographers and cast to rehearse in virtual sets and anticipate camera movement, enhancing coordination between dance and cinematography.

The Emerald City sequence was created using day-for-night shooting, practical smoke and layered lighting to simulate a glowing green metropolis in a real location rather than a fully green-screen build.

Over 800 costumes were constructed simultaneously in Los Angeles and London workshops, with iconographic details referencing the original Broadway looks while updating fabrics and silhouettes for a global audience.

Chu noted that balancing tradition and evolution was key to making the adaptation feel both familiar and transformative.

Impact on Fans and Box Office

Chu expressed confidence that the blend of respect and ambition has paid off. He said early audience reactions emphasize that longtime fans “feel seen” — while new viewers respond to the film as a vivid spectacle in its own right. According to him, that dual response was the whole aim. He told HOLR that this kind of adaptation “isn’t about remaking the old story — it’s about inviting everyone into a world that expands.”

A Blueprint for Musical Adaptations

HOLR breaks down the story here: Jon M. Chu’s approach to Wicked: For Good offers a clear framework for how beloved stage musicals can transition to film without losing soul. With careful design, innovative tech and heartfelt storytelling, the movie demonstrates that scaling up doesn’t mean selling out. In doing so, Chu has set a standard for how live theatre and cinema can meet — and soar.