Musicals You'd Like to See Jon M. Chu Adapt for Film

With all the acclaim he received for In the Heights as well as the early buzz for Wicked, Jon M. Chu has quickly evolved into one of the best movie musical directors working today. He's currently attached to helm a film adaptation of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Although I thought I'd ask all of you about other stage musicals you'd like to see him tackle.

This may not realistically happen in the foreseeable future, but if we ever get a Miss Saigon movie, he'd be my first choice to direct. I especially think it would be a smart move to have an Asian filmmaker at the helm of that musical in particular.

What are your choices?

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "With all the acclaim he received forIn the Heightsas well as the early buzz forWicked, Jon M. Chu hasquickly evolved into one of the best movie musical directors working today. He's currently attached to helm a film adaptation of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Although I thought I'd ask all of you about other stage musicals you'd like to see him tackle.

This may not realistically happen in the foreseeable future, but if we ever get aMiss Saigonmovie, he'd be my first choice to direct.I especially think it would be a smart move to have an Asian filmmaker at the helm of that musical in particular.

What are your choices?"



Jon W Chu is also attached to direct Britney Spears' The Woman In Me movie adaptation which will contain a lot of musical elements as he confirmed. I think he could do wonders with 'Come from away' too

Would actually love to see him direct a Wizard of Oz that's true to the original book with the cast of Wicked continuing on.

Others: Hadestown, Next to Normal, Follies

Globefan said: "Aida with Cynthia and Ariana"

In one of their interviews they said they'd love to do that show together and honestly - yes. 100% yes.

Jordan Catalano said: "Globefan said: "Aida with Cynthia and Ariana"

In one of their interviews they said they'd love to do that show together and honestly - yes. 100% yes."

But only if it goes back to the original. The Dutch revisal was a goddamn travesty.

I still wonder if Pipe Dream would work on film.

I don't think Chu can even competently compose an image or light and block a scene, so I really hope he stays away from all the musicals mentioned here. Somehow every movie he makes is worse than the last. He has no vision and no craft. The next Rob Marshall.

Jordan Catalano said: "The Schelle Williams one? I think they knew that was garbage and scrapped all plans for it moving forward."

Christ, I hope so.

I assume your screen test for the role of Flying Monkey #2 went poorly?

Updated On: 11/20/24 at 06:06 PM

I do plan on seeing it, but every bit of footage I see of the film is so poorly blocked and lit and color graded. Wicked should look beautiful. Instead it looks LOUD and amateurish. This required a great director and Jon M Chu is not a great director.

It's disturbing how you people respond to criticism. I can't just find a director's work consistently poor, I have to be a bitter, hater failed actor? I think you're projecting.

Oh and by the way! I find most contemporary directors to be absolute hacks. They don't even understand the basics. These film schools are not teaching craft!

Updated On: 11/20/24 at 06:21 PM

Georgeanddot2 said: "I do plan on seeing it, but every bit of footage I see of the film is so poorly blocked and lit and color graded. Wicked should look beautiful. Instead it looks LOUD and amateurish. This required a great director and Jon M Chu is not a great director.

It's disturbing how you people respond to criticism. I can't just find a director's work consistently poor, I have to be a bitter, hater failed actor?I think you're projecting.

Oh and by the way! I find most contemporary directors to be absolute hacks. They don't even understand the basics. These film schools are not teaching craft!"

But you haven't even seen the movie yet so no, no one cares about your opinion.

Well count me as someone who absolutely loves his work and would love for him to adapt any number of shows!


I think he’d do an incredible live-action (Disney’s) Hercules - imagine the spectacle of the production numbers. Hunchback too fwiw.


I also think he would do a great Sweet Charity. It’s hard to imagine that as anything other than Fosse’s original (especially something as iconic as Rich Man’s Frug) but I would’ve said that about West Side Story/Robbins too and thought the remake was beautiful, so there you go. I’m happy for Jon Chu/Chris Scott collabs all day long.


Relatedly, Pippin. Same skepticism on my end that it could ever be better than Fosse, but I’m not the visionary. So much potential for that to be visually spectacular!

I'd rather have Steven Spielberg direct every movie musical from now on. West Side Story kicked In the Heights' ass so hard.