Jon M. Chu, the director of the highly anticipated musical film Wicked, has addressed criticism about the movie’s color grading after many viewers described the visual tones as “washed out.” Despite breaking box office records with its captivating story and musical performances, the film’s hues have left some cinephiles unimpressed.
Clarisse Loughrey, a critic for The Independent, called the movie “aggressively backlit,” reflecting a common sentiment among those questioning the aesthetic choices in portraying the fantastical land of Oz.
In response, Chu defended his vision, explaining the intentionality behind the color palette. Speaking to The Globe and Mail, the director stated, “I mean, there’s color all over it. What we wanted to do was immerse people into Oz, to make it a real place.” He elaborated that grounding the visuals in realism was essential to connect audiences to the emotional depth of the story.
In response, Chu defended his vision, explaining the intentionality behind the color palette. Speaking to The Globe and Mail, the director stated, “I mean, there’s color all over it. What we wanted to do was immerse people into Oz, to make it a real place.” He elaborated that grounding the visuals in realism was essential to connect audiences to the emotional depth of the story.
Chu emphasized that a more artificial or dream-like representation of Oz could have undermined the stakes and relationships central to the plot. “If it was a fake place, if it was a dream in someone’s mind, then the real relationships and the stakes that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real,” he explained.
Chu’s defense of the film’s visual style highlights his commitment to offering audiences a fresh and grounded experience of Oz, even if it deviates from the more vibrant, polished portrayals seen in previous adaptations. As Wicked continues its box office reign, the discussion surrounding its aesthetics adds another layer to the conversation about artistic choices in modern filmmaking.
