The blockbuster feature-film “Wicked” is nominated for 10 awards at this year’s Oscars including the coveted nomination for Best Picture. Since its release in November, “Wicked” has gained critical acclaim and generated a lot of excitement online. A favorite among critics and fans, the film recently won the Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Almost exactly a year after its release, part two of the film, “Wicked: For Good,” is set to come out on November 22, 2025, and will likely continue to fuel the fanaticism.
The film is a cinematic reimagination of the original Broadway show, which centers around the friendship between witches Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). While the story has evolved overtime from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the creative mind behind its newest iteration is none other than USC alumni Jon M. Chu.
Chu graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2003. Chu majored in film and television production, and was first noticed for his short film “When the Kids Are Away” in 2002. The short film is a vibrant musical, foreshadowing his future success in directing musical movies such as “Wicked” and “In the Heights.”
Chu has continued to be recognized for his talent, like when he recently won Best Director for “Wicked” at the Critics Choice awards. He is also known for directing the blockbuster hit “Crazy Rich Asians,” the one of the few Hollywood films to feature a majority Asian cast.
As an involved alumni, Chu actively gives back to the USC community. Prior to its cancellation, Chu was slated to speak and receive an honorary degree at the 2024 commencement ceremony. He has also been honored for his success by the Asian Pacific Alumni Association with the APAA Young Alumni Award.
In his TED Talk, Chu describes first becoming fascinated by film when making home videos for his family. He says the first time he showed the videos to his family, they cried because they saw that they belonged on screen.
When Chu came to USC, he says his parents urged him to make movies about his Chinese heritage, but it wasn’t until he made it in Hollywood, that he realized the power he held to provide representation. In writing and directing “Crazy Rich Asians,” he felt the same pride that his parents felt when they first watched his family videos.
From home videos to Hollywood hits, Jon M. Chu continues to tell important stories, and share his experiences and unique artistic vision.