Director Jon M. Chu Guards Final Shot of Wicked: For Good

The director of *Wicked: For Good*, Jon M. Chu, has revealed that he kept the film’s final shot a secret from studio executives to prevent it from being spoiled. Fans of the musical adaptation were likely familiar with the overarching narrative, but the details surrounding the climactic moment remained under wraps until the film’s release.

In a nod to the original musical, the movie’s closing scene features Galinda (played by Ariana Grande) whispering something to Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo), a moment that encapsulates the themes of friendship and secrecy. Chu stated that this pivotal shot was always part of his vision for the film’s conclusion, emphasizing its significance.

“Yes. It was always the plan. I was always going to end on the whisper,” Chu explained in an interview with *Variety*. He faced considerable challenges in ensuring that the studio did not reveal this moment in any marketing materials, even going so far as to oppose the use of a promotional poster that depicted the scene. “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,’” he added.

Chu’s approach aimed to keep audiences unaware of the significant imagery until the moment unfolded on screen. “I wanted it to feel like we didn’t care about it, then suddenly it’s the last shot in *For Good*,” he noted. Despite his insistence, the studio was eager to showcase the scene, which underscored its importance not only to Chu but also to the overall narrative.

The iconic image used in the poster is particularly noteworthy, as it never appeared in the original stage production. “That poster is one of the most brilliant posters ever made. 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,” Chu remarked.

Interestingly, even Chu was kept in the dark regarding the specifics of the whisper exchanged between the two characters. He revealed, “And the girls got to choose what they are actually saying in the scene. I don’t even know what they said.” This element of mystery adds an intriguing layer to the film, allowing audiences to speculate about the content of their exchange.

With the film’s successful release, Universal Pictures is already considering the possibility of sequels, hinting at a return to the beloved world of Oz. Fans may soon find out more about the whispered secrets shared between Elphaba and Galinda, as discussions about future projects progress.

As *Wicked: For Good* continues to captivate audiences, its director’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the story serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in cinema. For those interested, further insights into the film’s conclusion are available in various analyses and discussions online.