The trailers may not have given it away, but once the lights go down in the theater, it becomes clear that Wicked is just the first part of the story. The title card at the beginning of the film reads “Wicked Part One” and the screen at the end promises a continuation with “To be continued.” This has been public knowledge since April 2022, but it wasn’t emphasized for obvious reasons. Audiences don’t like to feel they’re only getting half a movie, as Tom Cruise can attest. io9 recently spoke with Wicked director Jon M. Chu, who not only defended the decision to split the film into two parts but also explained how it was crucial in making the movie possible. Chu discussed the challenges and creative choices involved in making Wicked satisfying as a standalone film, as well as how the second film impacted the shooting process. Stay tuned for more insights from Chu in the coming days.
