“Wicked” continued to defy expectations, earning 10 Oscar nominations.
Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Film Editing, Production Design, Costume Design, Original Score, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound Effects, and Visual Effects.
The film’s director, Jon M. Chu, explained on KTLA 5 Morning News, “I’m in shock at this point. We need some light, especially in Los Angeles.” “You know, what is an award? What does it actually mean? But it’s very important.”
British actress and singer Cynthia Erivo (L) and American singer-songwriter and actress Ariana Grande at Universal’s ‘Wicked’ premiere at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on November 9, 2024. Attended. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP) VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Chu noted that the film’s editor, Myron Kirstein, is a longtime Altadena resident and was nominated for Best Film Editing. Despite her neighborhood being destroyed in the devastating Eaton Fire, she revealed on Instagram that her home is “still standing”.
“We were working yesterday and I wasn’t thinking about the award, and this morning when he won the award, I was so happy for him. Just having an outlet for joy, that means a lot,” Chu explained. .
He gave Erivo and Grande some words of encouragement before the nominations were announced.
“I said, ‘No matter what happens, we did it. We finished the movie. It’s out there and people are responding to it. It’s the biggest reward.”
This morning he called them and said, “They were all in tears.”
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Despite numerous nominations, most notably Best Picture, Chu was left out of the director category. He faced this cold treatment head-on without any hard feelings.
“It’s a blessing. Making a movie is a miracle. If you make a movie with a bunch of people and they actually enjoy it and take it home and incorporate it into their lives, that’s a great reward,” he said. explained. “I love seeing our cast get so much love. They’re the ones who got their hands dirty on this production, and that’s what means the most. I’m really happy to get a 10. Asia People’s parents will be proud to see this!”
Director Chu said it was an honor for the film to be nominated in the Best Picture category.
“I know it sounds like a cliché, but I’m honored just to be nominated. I’m in this industry of making optimistic, radical films that are not only entertaining, but can continue to give hope and dreams. “But the most important thing is to think about people’s minds in the same way that we were inspired by movies when we were growing up,” he exclaimed.
The Oscars hold a special place in Chu’s heart.
“Ever since I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I’ve watched every Academy Awards ceremony. When I lived at the University of Southern California, I even snuck in to one,” he admits sheepishly. “To be a part of that event, to actually be invited, to be surrounded by artists that we respect and love in an industry that we love, in a time of need, would be an honor and that would be the best event ever.” It’s going to be a big win. ”
The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 2nd. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 4pm PT and will also be livestreamed on Hulu.
“Wicked” is available to own or rent digitally and is also released in theaters.
