The Wicked Oscar nominations are stirring up a lot of excitement, but also some frustration, particularly around the fact that director Jon M. Chu wasn’t nominated for Best Director. While the film received 10 nominations, including Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande, the exclusion of Chu and cinematographer Alice Brooks from the list has left many feeling disappointed. Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible in the film, expressed her emotions about the snub during an appearance on The View on January 23, 2025. She praised the many nominations the film received but also acknowledged that the absence of Chu and Brooks’ recognition was a major oversight.
The film, which grossed over $700 million worldwide, sparked essential conversations about social justice and fairness, so it’s surprising that Chu, who shaped Wicked’s visual masterpiece, was overlooked. His creative direction was a huge part of what made the movie visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Yeoh’s sentiments reflect a broader feeling that movies like Wicked and Barbie are built on the vision of their directors, and both Chu and Greta Gerwig should have received recognition for their work.
Chu’s approach to Wicked was deeply thoughtful. He started with the final song, “Defying Gravity,” and worked backward to ensure that the emotional journey of Elphaba made sense. His attention to detail and his ability to bring out the themes of nature, justice, and love were key to making Wicked such a cultural phenomenon. It’s a real shame that he wasn’t nominated for his vision.
Looking ahead, there’s hope that future projects like a Britney Spears biopic or the Wicked sequel might give Chu the recognition he deserves. If Wicked doesn’t win Best Picture, many will see that as another snub in a year full of them. The 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, will be the final stage for these debates, but fans are already rallying behind Chu’s incredible work and hoping that the Academy will right this wrong in the future.