Jon M. Chu, the director of the highly anticipated film adaptation of "Wicked," was notably absent from the Los Angeles premiere of his movie due to the birth of his fifth child. While the film was being celebrated, Chu welcomed a baby girl into the world, marking a significant personal milestone on a day that was also meant to celebrate his professional achievement.
Key Takeaways
- Jon M. Chu missed the "Wicked" premiere for the birth of his daughter.
- He shared a heartfelt video message from the hospital during the event.
- The film is set to release in theaters on November 22, 2023.
In a touching video message shared during the premiere, Chu expressed his excitement and joy, stating, "I’ve waited for three years to have this moment and share our movie with you, but I’ve waited my whole life to have this moment, to have our fifth child, right now. Of course, this little girl knows when to show up on premiere day." His heartfelt words resonated with the audience, highlighting the blend of personal and professional milestones.
Chu and his wife, Kristin Hodge, welcomed their daughter on the same day as the premiere, a coincidence that he humorously acknowledged in his social media posts. He shared a video of the newborn set to the iconic tune "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," captioning it with a warm welcome to their new family member.
A Family Celebration
- This marks the fifth child for the couple, who are already parents to four other children: Willow (7), Jonathan Heights (5), Ruby (3), and Iggy (20 months).
- Chu’s absence was felt, but he managed to make a brief appearance at the afterparty, allowing him to connect with his cast and crew before returning to his family duties.
In his social media updates, Chu expressed gratitude towards his cast and crew, urging everyone to send love to them during the premiere. He also humorously noted that he was ready to attend the event, even joking about wearing his suit to the hospital for the birth.
The Film’s Anticipation
"Wicked," which is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2023, features a star-studded cast including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The film is a prequel to the beloved story of "The Wizard of Oz," exploring the backstory of the witches of Oz and their complex relationship.
As the marketing campaign for the film ramps up, excitement continues to build among fans. The film’s release is highly anticipated, especially after two decades of the musical’s success on stage.
A Minor Controversy
In a separate but related note, the film’s promotional efforts faced a hiccup when toy manufacturer Mattel issued an apology for a misprint on the packaging of dolls inspired by the movie. The packaging mistakenly listed an adult website instead of the film’s official site, prompting Mattel to advise parents to discard the packaging. This incident, while unfortunate, has not dampened the enthusiasm surrounding the film’s release.
As the premiere of "Wicked" approaches, Jon M. Chu’s dual celebration of family and film serves as a reminder of the joys and challenges of balancing personal and professional life. With the film’s release just around the corner, fans are eager to see how Chu’s vision comes to life on the big screen.
