Yahoo Lifestyle Why Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked’ Feels More Relevant Than Ever
ForJonM. Chu, being the director of “Wicked”— the beloved story adapted from the Broadway sensation that reimagines the “Wizard of Oz” through the eyes of the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West — is more than a magical journey. It’s a lens reflecting his own life and the nation’s postelection crossroads. (Watch the video above.)
“I was born into the idea of the [American dream],” Chu said. “That there was this beautiful place beyond the yellow brick road ... that the wizard was waiting for me. At some point, the road ends, and you realize the wizard isn’t there.”
This realization, Chu explained, ties directly to the themes of “Wicked,” which delves into discrimination, courage and the complexities of morality. He sees striking parallels between the land of Oz and today’s world, where misinformation and prejudice often fuel division.
Chu also spoke to the enduring relevance of the story. The “Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, emerged during a pivotal period in American history as the country grappled with the aftermath of the Great Depression and the brink of war. Similarly, “Wicked,” the musical, was conceived in the post-9/11 era, just before the United States entered another conflict.
“Now, again, we’re in a spot of America in transition, where we have to define who we are,” Chu said.
But the filmmaker’s connection to the magical tale runs even deeper, rooted in his upbringing as the son of Chinese immigrants. Before achieving global success with “Crazy Rich Asians,” Chu struggled with how his cultural identity fit into his career and how it shaped his place in the world.
“I didn’t want to be just the ‘Asian guy,’” he said. “It’s not that I was ashamed of being Asian. It’s where the world would treat me that was not desired for myself.”
Over time, Chu found the courage to embrace his identity, shedding the fear of being boxed in by labels.
“I decided there’s nothing else that scares me, except to accept who I am and say, ‘World, bring it on,’” he said.
Reflecting on “Wicked,” the film, Chu pointed to a moment that profoundly resonated with him: when Elphaba puts on her iconic hat in the Ozdust Ballroom — a moment he recognized as a parallel to his own journey.
“That moment isn’t about defiance,” he said. “It’s about acceptance — saying, ‘I’m not going to prove myself to anyone anymore.’”
