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Uncovering the Inner Workings of Wicked: Insights from Director Jon M. Chu's Commentary

Explore the backstage world of "Oz" with the exciting home release of this beloved musical!

Uncovering the Inner Workings of Wicked: Insights from Director Jon M. Chu's Commentary

Fans can now delve deeper into the enchanting world of "Wicked", thanks to director Jon M. Chu, following the digital release of the Universal Pictures musical movie sensation. The digital version boasts a wealth of bonus features, including deleted scenes, documentaries, and commentary tracks by stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, as well as a solitary commentary by Chu himself. This treasure trove of extras offers fascinating insights into the film's creation and the inspiration behind its magic, drawing heavily from the Broadway adaptation.

During his commentaries, Chu explores the history behind The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's original Oz stories, revealing the numerous homages that Wicked pays to Hollywood's cinematic history. In the dance sequence "Dancing Through Life," he brilliantly merges classic Hollywood musicals with his love for Baum's novel and the iconic tale's roots in American history.

The Flying Monkeys in Wicked pay tribute to Universal Monsters, as Chu explains in his commentary. He considers their creation during the final act a pivotal moment in the film that draws on the aesthetics of classic Universal horror flicks. The transformation of the monkeys into their winged forms offers a chilling, cinematic spectacle reminiscent of classic monster movie monstrosities.

An intriguing connection between the upcoming film In the Heights and Wicked is revealed in Chu's commentaries. Glinda receives a significant request that initially had Lin-Manuel Miranda in mind for the role. Despite the potential significance of the role, Chu ultimately chose to keep Glinda's interviewer generic to avoid distracting from the main plot.

In the song "The Wizard and I," Elphaba sings about her complex feelings towards her uniqueness. She ultimately finds acceptance in her green skin, a powerful statement of self-empowerment that reinforces Elphaba's character development throughout the film.

Chu's commentaries also shed light on the metaphorical nature of Wicked's set design, particularly the design of Elphaba's famous pointy hat. The hat serves as a symbol of their unbreakable bond, with Elphaba being drawn to its distinctive edge as if it were her own partner on her journey through Oz.

The film's easter eggs, such as the crystal shoes worn by Nessarose, are another fascinating aspect of Wicked. made distinctive for this iteration of the story, drawing inspiration from the original book's crystal pair and the Judy Garland-famous ruby slippers.

Chu discusses his interpretation of Elphaba and Glinda's iconic Ozdust dance, where Elphaba expresses her pain and determination to reclaim her space in the face of cruel judgments. In the song "Popular," he wanted to preserve the friendship's impact by allowing Ariana Grande to elevate the performance with her talented portrayal of Galinda.

The leading players in the Ozdust Player's performance in the film were expertly portrayed by original cast members Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who brought an added layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the story. Their involvement in the behind-the-scenes scenes and Docu-style content was a touching tribute to the origins of the beloved characters they helped create.

Finally, Chu's vision for Wicked as a Marvel-style musical adventure comes to life in the film's action-packed final act, including an electrifying aerial performance by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The musical's sweeping scenes of spectacle, intricate set pieces, and powerful performances set Wicked apart as an unforgettable cinematic experience.

In the future, technology might allow us to experience even more immersive bonus features in digital movie releases, like the ones seen in "Wicked." (future, movies, technology)

IO9 might feature an analysis of how director Jon M. Chu masterfully blends classic Hollywood elements into modern movie musicals, like "Wicked" and "In the Heights." (movies, technology, io9)

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