16-ton train, 9 million tulips and a grand investment

* Hello director Jon M. Chu! The musical Wicked has captivated audiences for more than two decades. What are your memories of it?

– Director Jon M. Chu: The first time I saw Wicked was before it became a hit on Broadway, in a short run in San Francisco while I was in film school. The musical wasn’t finished yet, but I loved it immediately and knew it would one day be a great movie, although I never imagined I’d be the one to bring it to the screen. I loved The Wizard of Oz and the story of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch. Then, when I saw Wicked , I got to hear the backstory of the Wicked Witch, who maybe wasn’t so wicked – which was a fascinating idea to me. And I loved the songs by the genius Stephen Schwartz like Defying Gravity or Popular , which have been ingrained in my mind for the past 20 years.

* How did you react when you learned you had the opportunity to bring this story to the big screen?

– When they called me in to direct Wicked just a few years ago , I couldn’t believe it. I felt so lucky to be able to breathe life into the world of Oz, a world that has been portrayed by countless artists. And to do it in such an immersive and expansive way was so exciting. Then we decided to make two films, making sure each one was emotionally satisfying and gave each character room to breathe.

* That must have been a challenging and interesting project for you?

– I’ve adapted things before, but not on this scale. Crazy Rich Asians was adapted from a novel and In the Heights from a stage musical. But it’s not like Wicked , where you build a world and a universe.

* The project has invested hundreds of millions of USD, its scale is really impressive!

– We made sure every detail was accurate not only by using CG but also by building practical things, like a giant 16-ton train that actually moves or planting 9 million colorful tulips. We created the Emerald City and Munchkin villages with houses and shops that you can walk into. The scale of the movie is truly epic! We spared no expense in producing this movie.

* Anything else spectacular you would like to share?

– This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. This is the kind of film that made me fall in love with cinema, thanks to films like Lawrence of Arabia , E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial or The Lord of the Rings. Because it takes you into the magic of the giant screen that surrounds you while you sit in the dark with a group of strangers and immerse yourself in the perspective of someone else’s life , which in this case is extraordinary. So you can fly, sing, fall in love, have your heart broken and ultimately heal through it all. I can’t wait for everyone to experience Wicked .

Ariana Grande will shock the audience

* At its core, it’s a story about the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Can you talk about what two artists of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s caliber bring to these two leads?

– From the beginning, we knew that these were leading roles that every actor of that age and with the right talent wanted. At first, I thought we should try to find someone new. But I quickly realized that these were very difficult roles that required masterful skill because they required a perfect combination of singing and acting, as well as special chemistry.

I think Cynthia is a great singer, her voice has such a passion to it. You can feel it when she’s in the room with you. The Wicked Witch character makes her feel longing and lost, which is unique.

Then there’s Ariana, who we think we know, but we don’t. Every time she shows up, she shows us something new. She even said that sometimes Glinda is more like her than Ariana Grande! I think people will be shocked by her performance, because she immerses herself in that character so much and is a real movie star.

The two of them have a chemistry that is like real friends. We cried on set many times because it felt like a healing film for all of us while making it.

* What about the rest of the cast in the movie, director?

– Well, how else could you imagine Jeff Goldblum playing the Wizard of Oz? When he did the tap dance that came out of this giant 25-foot head that we built and moved when he spoke, it brought a smile to all of our faces. Everyone on the set was like, “I can’t believe we’re making this movie!” Jeff Goldblum was incredible in that role and he had so much fun with it, it was both weird and charming.

Then we have an Oscar-winning actress in Michelle Yeoh – who I worked with in Crazy Rich Asians – doing Madame Morrible, where she sings, playing a great character. Jonathan Bailey is a rising star and he is charming and wonderful as Prince Fiyero. Ethan Slater is hilarious as Boq, who has the whole storyline, as is the character of Marissa Bode – Elphaba’s sister Nessarose or Pfannee (one of Glinda’s friends) played by Bowen Yang. And then we have Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond and Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.

Our cast is huge and everyone is having a great time. It’s a dream team. Every time I turn on the camera, I never know what I’m going to get.

PHOTO: UNIVERSAL

* Audiences around the world are now eager to see Wicked on the big screen, what should they expect from the film?

– They should expect an experience that they have been needing for a long time. I hope audiences have a lot of fun watching Wicked . It has music, dancing, adventure, action… Also, there is a part of you that will go back to your childhood when you watch this movie, recognizing the yellow brick road and enjoying every turn, but your adult self will feel the relationship between these two friends very deeply. There is also healing in it, which is why anyone who is going through change and needs an escape will feel this movie is for them.

* What does the movie mean to you?

– I’m still going through that. Wicked made me look at myself when I was younger and when I was older and ask myself, “What do I want to be in the next chapter of my life?” Because it’s not just about following the yellow brick road and having the Wizard give you what your heart desires, it’s about choosing the story that you want. And this movie really helped me understand that we have the power to do that. So I hope people feel empowered when they watch it.