Wicked Movie Director Defends Film’s Color Palette Amid Criticism
Jon M. Chu, the director of the new Wicked adaptation, has stood firm in his defense over the film’s color grading.
Chu has been at the receiving end of criticism for his color treatment in the musical film adaptation. This began when the first promotional images featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda respectively were released in April. He reassured critics by saying, “Don’t worry, we still have a year and half to exhibit our colors! Believe me, there are plenty of colors in Oz.”
With the movie now released, Chu was probed about the film’s “aesthetic” by Canadian publication, the Globe and Mail. Journalist Radheyan Simonpillai stated to Chu, “The Wizard of Oz was special because it embraced the ‘glorious Technicolor’ for its narrative…Wicked appears a bit desaturated.”
Chu responded by saying, “I mean, color is abundant in it. Our aim was to immerse viewers into Oz, to present it as a real place. If it came across as a faux location or someone’s dream, then the authentic relationships and the stakes these two girls face wouldn’t seem real.”
He further elaborated, “It’s also a representation of Oz we haven’t experienced before. We’ve seen it as a matte painting, a digital world in video games. But for us, I wanted to feel the earthiness, the wear and tear of it. That means it isn’t plastic.”
Are you in support of the visual presentation of Wicked? Share your thoughts in the comments!
FAQs
Who is the director of the new Wicked movie?
Jon M. Chu is the director of the new Wicked movie.
Who are the lead actresses in the movie?
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande play the roles of Elphaba and Glinda respectively.
What has been the criticism about the movie?
The movie has been criticized for its color grading, with some saying it appears a bit desaturated compared to the vibrant ‘Technicolor’ of the original Wizard of Oz.
How has Jon M. Chu responded to the criticism?
Jon M. Chu has defended the movie’s color grading, stating that it was done to immerse viewers into Oz and make it seem like a real place.
Credit: www.buzzfeed.com
