Jon M Chu’s name is synonymous with Crazy Rich Asians but now his career has taken on a different direction as he takes on the highly anticipated Broadway film adaptation of Wicked.
But behind all his work is his fascination with the American dream. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Chu said his intrigue about the American dream was instilled by his parents and continues to influence his work.
“My stories all revolve around, ‘How do you redefine what the American dream is?’” he said. This theme is particularly relevant to Wicked, which he describes as a “rewrite” of a “classic fairy tale.”
Chu sees Wicked, which stars Michelle Yeoh, as more than just a fairy tale: “Not just any fairy tale—the most American fairy tale that’s ever been written.”
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Reflecting on his career before Crazy Rich Asians, Chu admits, “I felt like I got lucky.” It took a decade of filmmaking and collaborations with major stars before he felt comfortable in his role.
“When you have the confidence of, ‘I deserve to be here,’ then you have to ask yourself the more difficult question, which is: ‘Okay, what are you trying to say? What are you doing here now?’”
During a time when Hollywood was reckoning with its lack of diversity, Chu began to embrace stories that reflected his identity. He once resisted being labelled as an “Asian director,” fearing it would limit his opportunities.
“At that time, if you were labelled as an ‘Asian director,’ then Hollywood would sort of put you in this box and say, ‘Well, only send them the Asian stuff,’” Chu explains.
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But with the success of Crazy Rich Asians, which made history as the first major Hollywood production with an all-Asian cast since 1993’s The Joy Luck Club, Chu realized the significance of his work: “You can’t close your eyes after a moment like that.”
As for his future, Chu remains open to where his journey will take him. “I’m excited because I don’t know what’s next. I always wait for the moment that I feel like the universe or God tells me, ‘This is what you’re supposed to do.’”
This moment, he explains, is driven by two questions: “What’s a story that only I can make? That—without me—this story will never be made?” and “What, spiritually, am I being led to?” Reflecting on this, Chu concludes, “That can come from anything.”
Wicked, which also stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jeff Goldblum, will hit theatres on 22 November 2024.
