Hollywood has always loved comebacks, and Jon M. Chu might just be on the way to penning himself one. Having some musical adaptations under his belt, the director has once again proved his skills with the latest blockbuster, Wicked.
The movie stars British actress Cynthia Erivo and American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande, but for Chu, it could be his career-defining film. The director might potentially rewrite the history of his Academy snub, as his latest project is already breaking box office records and earning critical acclaim.
Poor Reception of In the Heights
In the Heights was not just a movie directed by Jon M. Chu, it was a celebration of the Latino community and dreams. The movie based on the Broadway show by Lin-Manuel Miranda showed Usnavi de la Vega, a bodega owner in Washington Heights, and his hopes and struggles for a better life.
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The movie featured great casting, especially the lead man, Anthony Ramos. It has been critically acclaimed, and it is one of those rare movies that have the same critic and audience rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie turned out to be unprofitable.
As per Variety, the production cost of $55 million and an additional similar amount for marketing gave it a target of about $200 million to become a profitable hit. However, according to Box Office Mojo, the movie has earned only $45 million worldwide.
There were several potential reasons why it failed at the box office. COVID-19 was one of them. Only 75% of American theaters were open, and restrictions on social distancing have reduced the number of viewers. Its HBO Max release at the same time might have affected theatrical audiences, as reported by Deadline.
Moreover, how the Academy received In the Heights was more saddening for Chu. Although the film was considered to be a colorful, culturally rich musical, it wasn’t nominated for a single Oscar. This hit more when Steven Spielberg’s musical West Side Story was nominated for seven awards in the same year.
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Some critics and viewers also complained about the lack of Afro-Latino representation in the main cast of the film, something that Lin-Manuel Miranda accepted and offered an apology for (via CNN). It potentially made the film’s reception by the Academy even more complicated.
Wicked Could Work as a Potential Oscar Redemption for John M. Chu
Now came Wicked, Chu’s latest musical that is rewriting the records of musical adaptations at the box office. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda with Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the film is already recognized as one of the biggest hits of 2024.
Apart from Grande and Erivo, the star cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage. The cast has brought sheer entertainment value to a musical fantasy about the witches from the Land of Oz.
According to Deadline, the film became the highest-grossing musical adaptation ever, thereby beating Grease. As per Box Office Mojo, Wicked has grossed over $359 million worldwide and is still looking strong.
Apart from box office records, Wicked is also being loved by the critics with a rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie is also getting involved in the talks of Oscar nominations. Variety already suggested Ariana Grande as the most eligible contender for Best Supporting Actress, and The Hollywood Reporter sees its potential to win the Best Picture award.
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And, who knows, with the success of its box office and positive reviews, Wicked could become the perfect redemption for Jon M. Chu. From being snubbed at the Oscars for In the Heights to possibly becoming the darling of awards season, Chu’s musical journey shows what a comeback looks like.
Wicked is running in theaters.
In the Heights is available to stream on Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
Who directs Wicked, and who stars in it?
Wicked is directed by Jon M. Chu. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba and Ariana Grande plays Glinda, with a supporting cast that includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Dinklage.
How did Wicked perform at the box office and with critics?
Wicked was a major commercial success, grossing well over $700 million worldwide and ranking as the highest-grossing stage-musical adaptation, surpassing the longstanding record held by Grease. It also drew strong reviews, holding roughly an 88 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which fueled awards-season buzz for Erivo and Grande.
Why is Wicked framed as Oscar redemption for Jon M. Chu?
Chu previously directed In the Heights, which earned glowing reviews (about a 94 percent Rotten Tomatoes score) but received zero Academy Award nominations and underperformed at the box office after a simultaneous HBO Max release during the pandemic. The article argues that Wicked’s commercial and critical success could finally bring Chu the awards recognition that In the Heights missed; Wicked went on to land multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
