The new Wicked movie has dazzled critics and dominated the box office, but its director still felt the need to defend one of the most debated aspects of the film: color grading.
Some moviegoers have taken issue with the film’s more muted tones, especially compared to the vibrant Technicolor magic of the 1939 original, The Wizard of Oz.
Jon M. Chu, who directed the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway hit starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, addressed these criticisms head-on after the film was called “a little desaturated” during an interview with The balloon and the mail.
“I mean, there’s color everywhere,” Chu said. ‘What we wanted to do was immerse people in Oz, make it a real place. Because if it were a fake place, if it were a dream in someone’s mind, then the real relationships and risks that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real.
Chu went on to explain that his goal was to present Oz in a new way, one that audiences had not seen before.
‘It was a matte painting. “It has been a digital world of video games,” he noted. ‘But for us, I want to feel the dirt. I want to feel its wear. And that means it’s not plastic.
Jon M. Chu, who directed the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway hit starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, addressed the criticism head-on after the film was called “a little desaturated” during an interview with The Globe and Mail.
“I mean, there’s color everywhere,” Chu said. ‘What we wanted to do was immerse people in Oz, make it a real place. Because if it were a fake place, if it were a dream in someone’s mind, then the real relationships and risks that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real.
The film’s color grading, Chu explained, reflects the deep connection between the characters and the land they inhabit.
The vast landscapes, natural light, and creatures of Oz are central to the story, particularly how Elphaba’s presence gradually shapes the world, with color contrast intensifying as her influence grows.
However, Chu’s explanations didn’t exactly convince all fans, and some took issue with his emphasis on realism.
‘Counterpoint: Movies are dreams and can seem as daring and crazy as dreams. Why not? Who demands this realism? replied a fan.
Another added: “The real world is not desaturated.”
And one user didn’t mince his words, stating bluntly: “The movie is lit like an insurance ad.”
The colorway has been a hot topic on social media since the first images were released in April.
And when asked about criticism that those early images were too dark, Chu offered an explanation.
However, Chu’s explanations didn’t exactly convince all fans, and some took issue with his emphasis on realism.
The colorway has been a hot topic on social media since the first images were released in April.
“I chose those images specifically,” he admitted then in an interview with Variety.
‘It was very early and we had just started filming. “I wanted images that were evocative and provocative to show that this is not a bright and happy story.”
‘We didn’t even do the effects. The background was blue. I had to put VFX in the sky. “I was coloring it on my iPhone,” he added, clearly indifferent to the early criticism.
The defense comes as Chu also offered advice for those watching the film, as some viewers have complained about sound issues.
He encouraged fans to take control of their audio experience in a social media post on Nov. 23, ahead of the film’s opening weekend.
Posting on X, he wrote: ‘Tell your movie theater to turn it up to 7…
‘I’ve been to a couple of screenings and they’re more of a 6.4. If you want it as planned, this is the way.’
Your comment refers to the sound levels of the Dolby audio systems used in some cinemas.
The news comes after it was reported that British filmmaker Stephen Daldry was originally going to direct the show and had big plans to cast Lady Gaga as Elphaba and Shawn Mendes as Fiyero.
Dolby then responded to Chu’s post, writing below: “We’ve got you covered.”
The news comes after it was reported that British filmmaker Stephen Daldry was originally going to direct the show and had big plans for casting. Lady Gaga like Elphaba and Shawn Mendes like Fiyero, according to a source who spoke with Page six on Tuesday.
The Born This Way singer even met with the production team several times to discuss her interpretation of the character.
‘They had meetings, both of them, about the character and who she would be. (Gaga) was essentially cast in her version, and then it fell through,” the source revealed.
But Daldry’s vision never came to fruition: he abandoned the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.
Enter Chu, who took over as director and reimagined the cast, eventually bringing in Erivo as Elphaba, Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.