Imagine having a secret so powerful, so emotionally charged, that you’d keep it hidden even from the very people funding your dream. That’s exactly what Jon M. Chu, the director of ‘Wicked: For Good,’ did with the film’s final, breathtaking shot. Spoiler alert: we’re diving into details about the movie’s ending, so if you haven’t seen it yet, proceed with caution!
Chu revealed that he deliberately shielded Universal Pictures executives from seeing the last scene of his two-part ‘Wicked’ adaptation. Why? He feared they’d exploit its emotional impact for marketing purposes, diluting its power when viewers finally experienced it in the theater. The film culminates in a poignant close-up: Glinda whispering something into Elphaba’s ear. This isn’t just a random scene; it’s a deliberate and loving recreation of the iconic poster that launched the original ‘Wicked’ Broadway musical into the stratosphere. It’s instantly recognizable.
“Yes. It was always the plan. I was always going to end on the whisper,” Chu stated. “Do you know how hard it was to force Universal to never use it in any marketing material?” He even recounted how they had used a poster of it for the first movie, and he vehemently protested, believing they should never acknowledge the whisper. He wanted it to feel like they didn’t care about it, so it would have maximum impact when it appeared as the final shot in ‘For Good.’ He imposed a huge rule: ‘Do not show this shot!’ because they wanted it so badly.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Chu elaborated on the significance of that poster image. “That poster is one of the most brilliant posters ever made,” he declared. “You don’t know what Glinda’s saying, because they never actually do that in the musical. But it’s sort of the key to friendship. That we have these secrets. And the girls got to choose what they are actually saying in the scene. I don’t even know what they said.” Think about that for a second. The actors, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, held the key to the film’s ultimate emotional resonance, sharing a secret only they (and their characters) know. It underscores the deep bond between Glinda and Elphaba.
It’s fascinating to consider the level of trust Chu placed in his actors and the lengths he went to protect the integrity of that final moment. He understood that some things are more powerful when experienced organically, without prior exposure or manipulation. But that wasn’t the only poster-related drama surrounding the ‘Wicked’ films. During the marketing campaign for the first movie, Universal released a poster that attempted to recreate the original Broadway poster. This sparked a significant backlash from fans, who felt the recreation missed the mark.
And this is the part most people miss… The reaction wasn’t just about aesthetics. Fans took to social media, using Photoshop to “correct” the poster, adjusting Elphaba’s hat and adding bold red lipstick. While some might see this as harmless fun, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, found the alterations deeply hurtful. She described the altered images as “offensive” and “degrading,” stating that they erased her and minimized her contribution to the film. “The original poster is an Illustration,” Erivo added. “I am a real life human being… Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.”
Erivo’s response highlights a crucial point about representation and the impact of digital manipulation. What starts as seemingly innocent fan edits can have a profound effect on the individuals involved, particularly when it comes to their physical appearance and identity. ‘Wicked: For Good’ is currently captivating audiences in theaters nationwide, brought to you by Universal. If you’re eager to delve deeper into Chu’s creative process, be sure to visit Business Insider’s website for the full interview.
Now, let’s open the floor for discussion. Do you agree with Jon M. Chu’s decision to keep the final shot a secret from the studio? Was it a stroke of genius, or an unnecessary risk? And what are your thoughts on the fan edits of the ‘Wicked’ posters? Were they harmless expressions of fandom, or did they cross a line? Share your opinions in the comments below – let’s have a thoughtful conversation!