Imagine witnessing a film scene so raw and spontaneous that it costs the production walls—and even your emotions—to be captured perfectly on screen. That’s precisely what director Jon M. Chu did with the unforgettable 'For Good' sequence in his adaptation of 'Wicked.' And here’s where it gets truly fascinating: much of this iconic moment wasn’t part of the original plan. Instead, it emerged organically during rehearsals, transforming the entire narrative and visual approach of the scene.
Months before filming began, Chu had already sensed the emotional core of this sequence. During an early rehearsal, actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande began improvising—a heartfelt, spoken goodbye, not sung, with their arms around each other in a secluded corner of the rehearsal space. Their gesture involved pushing their hands against an imaginary door, creating a symbolic boundary between characters. Chu recalls that at that moment, he was so moved he nearly cried, realizing he’d stumbled onto something profoundly genuine. As Erivo called Grande over and the two actors continued improvising, Chu found himself absorbed in their exchange, which unfolded naturally and convincingly.
He admits that he forgot to call cut during this impromptu exchange, so engrossed was he in their emotional connection. This authenticity convinced Chu that the scene’s impact was worth more than sticking to the original set design. Determined to preserve this raw energy, Chu decided to demolish a physical wall—literally breaking down a set barrier—to authentically capture the moment’s intensity. Despite warnings that removing the wall would mean losing the set’s practical use altogether, Chu insisted, stating: ‘It was the moment—knock down the effing wall.’
The resulting shot, showing Erivo and Grande pressed against opposite sides of a now-destroyed barrier, became the emotional highlight of the film and the director’s personal favorite scene across both installments. This powerful visual symbolism also inspired the film’s title; Chu knew from that moment that the second movie had to be called ‘For Good’.
In addition to its emotional depth, the scene challenged one of the longstanding linguistic rules of the land of Oz, crafted by Stephen Schwartz for the stage version. Traditionally, Oz’s language avoids phrases like ‘I love you’ or references to God—words considered too sacred or out of place. But when Cynthia Erivo’s character spontaneously told Grande, ‘I love you’ on set, Chu fought to keep the line in the film. To him, the moment felt so human—so genuine—that it transcended the fictional boundaries, capturing real emotion. Schwartz ultimately agreed, recognizing the line’s significance.
Shifting focus from lighter, comedic moments, Chu describes ‘Wicked: For Good’ as a much darker, more politically charged story—a descent into tragedy. He elaborates on the transformation of Boq, portrayed beautifully by Ethan Slater, into the Tin Man, which he views as ‘the birth of a monster.’ But beyond just a physical change, Chu emphasizes that this transformation is about deeper emotional and societal rejection. Boq is someone who has felt invisible and craved acknowledgment, and his speech on the steps of Oz’s Capitol, surrounded by flames, marks a pivotal point. During this speech, Boq vents his frustrations and grievances, revealing how his pain fuels his eventual embodiment of hatred.
Slater contributed a key moment to this arc: after realizing he no longer needs Glinda’s approval, Boq turns away from her and faces the roaring crowd, fueling his growing rage. Chu interprets this as the full transformation—’the moment he truly loses his heart,’ not when his body turns to tin, but when he finds community in anger and hatred.
Regarding the enduring debate among fans about whether Glinda knows Elphaba is alive at the story’s conclusion, Chu admits he has a clear interpretation but prefers to leave it open to viewer interpretation. He feels the real power of the ending lies in both women stepping into the unknown: Glinda trying to be ‘Glinda the Good,’ and Elphaba venturing into a new life beyond Oz’s shadows. Chu stresses that the story isn’t a neat, fairy-tale ending but a reflection of raw human complexity, which resonates with audiences today.
Interestingly, Chu points out that themes like misinformation, societal division, and the collective shaping of truth are more relevant now than ever—though he insists these weren’t meant as deliberate messages. ‘The line “truth is not a thing of fact or reason, but what we all agree on” was written two decades ago,’ he says, emphasizing the timeless nature of the story. Still, he notes that the world’s current state has made these themes more urgent and relatable.
In conclusion, Chu reminds us that ‘Wicked: For Good’ is playing in theaters now, inviting viewers to reflect on our own truths and divisions through the lens of a fantastical, emotionally charged story.
