Jon M Chu visits Wicked London ahead of second film’s release

Wicked film director Jon M Chu paid a visit to the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre this weekend, meeting the London company ahead of a performance.

Chu, who directed Universal Pictures’ two-part film adaptation of Wicked, including this year’s Wicked: For Good, was welcomed on stage as the show continues its 19th year in London. The production has been seen by more than 13 million people in the capital since opening in 2006.

During the visit, Chu was presented with a 3D-printed replica of the show’s Oz head, created by West End head of lighting Paul Turner. He said: “When we first started the movie, the first place that I brought our heads of departments was in this theatre, so it’s great to be back to meet the whole company. I’ve never stepped onto the stage of a Wicked stage production before… It’s stunning, it feels like I’m in the movie, and of course, you see the time dragon clock! To be part of the Wicked family is the dream of a lifetime. Now you get to check out the movie, and check out the show, what a dream.”

The first film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, became the highest-grossing Broadway film adaptation in history and received ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Wicked: For Good will open in UK cinemas on 21 November 2025.

The London cast currently includes Emma Kingston as Elphaba, Zizi Strallen as Glinda and Carl Man as Fiyero, with performances continuing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.