'Wicked': Cynthia Erivo and Jon M. Chu on Creating Elphaba, the Party Scene and Getting Subversive

For TheWrap's longform Visionaries interview series, "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo and director Jon M. Chu interview each other about the blockbuster adaptation, discussing how they created the character of Elphaba together, subverting expectations with their take on the story and they break down the "heartbreaking" party scene.

This is Part of a 7-part series, check out the rest below!

⭐How Colman Domingo and Greg Kwedar Shook Up the Movie Business Making ‘Sing Sing’

⭐Steve McQueen and Edward Berger Talk War in ‘Blitz’ and Why the ‘Conclave’ Ending Changed After Oct. 7

⭐RaMell Ross and Coralie Fargeat Talk ‘Nickel Boys,’ ‘The Substance’ and Using the Camera as ‘The Eye of Society’

⭐‘Emilia Pérez’ Duo Zoe Saldaña and Jacques Audiard on Art as Healing and the True Nature of Rita and Emilia’s Relationship

⭐‘Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Talk ‘Hard Truths,’ ‘Nickel Boys’ and Bold Creative Swings

⭐Isabella Rossellini and Mikey Madison Talk ‘Conclave,’ ‘Anora’ and Finding the Power in Their Complicated Roles

[jamesks]

She is so aware that someone could be behind a camera for hours and hours and no one has even said "hello"....she knows that everyone is working hard....and wants to acknowledge them....this IS a VERY high being. Both are truly high beings, artists above and beyond the every day, magical!

[carlalussini]

I know the narrative has been "Thank God Cynthia and Ari were there to interject and save the movie" but it feels more like "how wonderful he isn't a fragile ego-ed, totalitarian director and instead has a collaborative perspective, picking the better ideas even if it weren't his".

[djdrybones]

this is what a director - lead actor relationship should look like 👀

[IsabelS_Fuyu]

Give Jon M Chu more diverse movies to direct this man is honestly an underrated master!!!

[Rosannasfriend]

She took reciting this spell so seriously, so that she can say with such conviction! And people say she doesn’t deserve the Oscar?! Please! Whether She wins or not, she was worthy of the nomination if she gets it. She was worthy of the win if she got it.

[d.nichole]

You can tell they really built a relationship with each other not only professionally but personally as well. The amount of trust it takes on both ends it takes to make something of this magnitude and make it WELL… man! I love hearing the thoughts and ideas that go into making things like this a reality. This is such a beautiful thing to witness

[kendrafeels]

I love this era of in depth interviews. Humans are craving connection now more than ever!

[lanisemckenzie]

Cynthia: "Heartbreak is always bigger when joy comes befofe it."

Jon: "And joy without heartbreak is naive."

[lm]

As much as I love the lighter fun cast interviews, it's wonderful to get this longer interview. It's such a pleasure to hear Cynthia and Jon describing all of the care and attention that went into the film. They're both incredibly talented, but it's good to be reminded that they also work extremely hard in order to produce the best possible results.

[VictoriaTamiaJames]

I really love her style during this promotion of the film. She is constantly in character through her fashion. I absolutely love it! I see so many people make these negative comments about her and it mirrors the negativity that her character receives in the film. Art imitating life. Life imitating art.She is a true creative! A true artist! And so is our team.

[chiqqn.nuqqet]

Jon chu is so handsome and I didn’t know he was so tall and dapper

[Rosannasfriend]

Even the way she plays her rejection of the chance to “degreenify herself”, so much nuance was put into it. So much great decision-making there. Such great acting that I think has been taken for granted by a lot of People so much.

[alanscopp]

I love that Cynthia shares about her connection with her spirituality. I don’t want to sound too ‘out there’ but for me Wicked is a religious experience. It transcends being just a movie. The love and connection and vision elevates it to a higher level, and when I hear interviews— especially this one — it seems that everyone involved in the making of Wicked felt it too.

[Lirael]

"The truth is in the darkness. The lie is in the light." 🤯 I absolutely loved every minute of this conversation between them. The amount of depth and energy they invested in each little detail of this movie is so awe-inspiring and beautiful! 🤩 They deserve all the respect and accolades. 👏🏼 And her shoes are 🔥.

[cammyt]

I love how Cynthia calls herself a weirdo, same here, and there's no shame in it at all.😉 What i love about this interview is Jon is fascinated, in awe, and marvelling at an actress he selected, who he's just finished working with for two years, and Cynthia is still finding new ways to impress & surprise Jon just by being herself. I feel like Jon is thinking, 'I knew i picked a great cast but they've exceeded all my expectations'. He's genuinely inspired by & in awe of Cynthia's talent & it's lovely to watch the trust & gratitude they have for each other. What a down to earth director!

[yokoohellno]

I really enjoyed this. I could listen to cynthia talk all day.

[libena]

Cynthia is otherworldly in the best way possible.

[VonnieCee]

Cynthia sings to my SOUL!!! She made wicked unforgettable

[saragiraldo]

Oh Cynthia is SUCH a clarinet player (complimentary) makes so much sense.

[DevaNeeramanii]

I absolutely LOVED that she gave Elphaba a strong sense of self and identity. It didn't matter what anyone else thought, she knew who she was. And the little details like having jewelry, and well-tailored clothes and manicured nails and the poise and grace and beauty...spoke to still being a part of and belonging in that world and society eventhough she was so very different, physically.