Jon M. Chu, the acclaimed Jon M. Chu Wicked director, deliberately kept the climactic ending of “Wicked: For Good” hidden from Universal Pictures executives, shaping one of the most emotional moments in the two-part Broadway adaptation. With the film now in theaters and breaking box office records, Chu’s decision underscores both his creative vision and the years-long secrecy that surrounded the much-anticipated “whisper shot.”
Director Jon M. Chu Protects Final Scene from Studio Control
“Wicked: For Good” continues the saga of witches Elphaba, portrayed by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, charting their evolving friendship and complex fates in the land of Oz. As the story reaches its conclusion, Elphaba orchestrates her own disappearance by faking her death and fleeing, while Glinda moves quietly to displace The Wizard, brought to life by Jeff Goldblum.
The emotional conclusion sees Elphaba and Glinda revisit their bond with a moving reprise of “For Good.” Instead of offering a traditional farewell, the film revisits a flashback from their school days, culminating in Glinda whispering secret words into Elphaba’s ear. This moment directly echoes the iconic Broadway poster that has represented “Wicked” for over twenty years, yet its meaning remains a mystery even to the most dedicated fans.
From the outset, Chu was adamant that this “whisper shot” would be the final image but firmly opposed any pre-release exposure. Chu told Business Insider,
“It was always the plan. I was always going to end on the whisper,”
said Jon M. Chu, Director. He further explained the intentional secrecy when he insisted,
“Do you know how hard it was to force Universal to never use it in any marketing material? They even had a poster of it for the first movie, and I was like, ‘Why are we releasing this poster? We should never acknowledge the whisper. Never. Never.’ I wanted it to feel like we didn’t care about it, then suddenly it’s the last shot […],”
Jon M. Chu, Director.
This steadfast resistance even extended to internal studio review. Chu revealed,
“So the studio never saw that final shot,”
Jon M. Chu, Director. He added,
“I imposed a huge thing: ‘Do not show this shot!’ They wanted it so badly.”
Jon M. Chu, Director. Despite numerous requests, Chu withheld the footage, protecting the emotional gravity of the film’s conclusion from leaks or marketing exploitation.
Crafting an Iconic Image and Maintaining Its Mystery
While other evocative images, such as the wistful schooldays flashback where Glinda leans on Elphaba’s shoulder, appeared in promotional material and trailers, the “whisper shot” remained unseen. This deliberate omission preserved its impact, echoing the enigmatic friendship at the heart of the narrative. The scene itself brings together characters like Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Nessarose (Marissa Bode), and Boq (Ethan Slater), yet their camaraderie is only glimpsed in fragmented moments, never shown fully to maintain its fragile nature.
Chu spoke to the enduring power of the imagery, referencing the familiar Broadway visual. He discussed the creative decision:
“You don’t know what Glinda’s saying, because they never actually do that in the musical. But it’s sort of the key to friendship. That we have these secrets. And the girls got to choose what they are actually saying in the scene. I don’t even know what they said.”
Jon M. Chu, Director.
The secrecy fueled speculation about the intent behind Glinda’s whispered words, deepening the emotional complexity between the lead witches. Even Chu himself admits to not knowing the precise exchange, allowing Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to fill the moment with genuine meaning, making it uniquely theirs.
“Wicked: For Good” Cast and Industry Impact
The cast of “Wicked: For Good” features a star-studded ensemble, including Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, and Colman Domingo playing the Cowardly Lion, along with core roles by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Jonathan Bailey returns as Fiyero, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, further strengthening the film’s connections to Broadway and Hollywood.
“Wicked” soared at the global box office in 2024, setting high expectations for its sequel. “Wicked: For Good” has since surpassed those ambitions, pulling in over $220 million worldwide during its debut weekend alone, despite polarizing reviews and the emotional turbulence captured on screen. The franchise’s awards prospects remain a topic of industry discussion, with speculators wondering if this follow-up can replicate the Oscar contention achieved by the first film in 2025.
Despite critiques, Chu’s adaptation has been lauded for capturing the spirit of the original musical, embracing narrative Easter eggs like the closing “whisper shot.” The attention to such details, combined with the secrecy surrounding the film’s end, affirms Chu’s determination to provide audiences with a fresh, impactful perspective on a beloved story.
The Lasting Effect of a Secretive Finale
Jon M. Chu’s choice to keep the “whisper shot” secret from Universal executives illustrates the intense pressures and creative conflicts that define blockbuster filmmaking. By withholding the scene until release, Chu ensured that the film’s closing moment would resonate powerfully with audiences—mirroring the bonds and mysteries that have long made the “Wicked” story endure. With its record-breaking success and the intrigue generated by its enigmatic ending, “Wicked: For Good” cements both Jon M. Chu Wicked director’s vision and the continuing legacy of Oz’s most iconic witches.
