‘There’s Color All Over It’: Wicked Director John M. Chu Defends ‘Desaturated’ Aesthetic Of The Film

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As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for cinematic excellence, I must say that the adaptation of Wicked has been quite a fascinating journey to witness. With my years of experience in the film industry, I can appreciate the challenges directors face when bringing Broadway musicals to the big screen, especially those as iconic as Wicked and The Wizard of Oz.

This year, “Wicked” is widely acclaimed as one of the top musical releases. The film adaptation of the popular Broadway production creatively links it with “The Wizard of Oz.” However, director John M. Chu faced criticism for his color grading choices, as it appeared more saturated compared to the original films’ vibrant colors.

The dispute arose following the unveiling of promotional pictures featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo by Universal Pictures. Nevertheless, director Chu allayed concerns, stating, “Fear not, there’s still over a year and half for us to display our vibrancy! Believe me, Oz will be bursting with colors.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail (Canada), journalist Radheyan Simonpillai raised concerns about Wicked appearing somewhat muted in color. To which the director explained, “There is indeed color everywhere, but our intention was to make Oz feel like a tangible, real place.

He explained that he didn’t want it to appear like a dream sequence because Wicked has always been about real friendships and emotions. Otherwise, “the stakes that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real,” he added. 

Chu clarified that they aimed to incorporate a gritty, authentic feel into the movie instead of maintaining the polished “matte painting” style. He expressed his desire for a sense of aging and genuine texture, stating, “I want it to appear worn and used. That means it’s not artificial.” The film, titled Wicked, premiered in theaters on November 22, and follows the blossoming camaraderie between witches Glinda (Grande) and Elphaba (Erivo).

At Shiz University in the Land of Oz, two contrasting characters, Elphaba, a misunderstood green-skinned woman, and Glinda, a well-liked socialite, form an unexpected friendship. Following an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their bond faces a significant turning point.

The film has a star-studded ensemble, including Grande, Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, and many others. 

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2024-11-26 21:37