Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#1Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/9/25 at 11:56pm
When I saw the first Wicked movie when it opened, I enjoyed it. Six months later, I tried to watch it on Amazon, and was bored stiff, turning it off after 45 minutes or so. When I saw For Good earlier today, much to my surprise I enjoyed it, although I thought both new songs were mediocre. Interestingly, I was a little restless in the first half, but enjoyed the second half, mediocre Oscar bait or not. I think the main reason was the evolution of Glinda's character (which I don't remember being as effective in the show, despite seeing it 6 or 7 times) and AG's performance, which I thought was excellent. CE was fine, but her role just was not as good as in the first half.
So, here's my theory. IF Chu could go back to the editing room with the goal of dramatically reducing 'the bloat and coming up with a single 3 hour movie, would the result be an improvement over the current output and, more importntly for the money people, could they develop an advertising campaign to incent people to return to the movie houses to see the dramatically shortened version?
TheatreFan4
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
#2Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 12:06am
Its kind of crazy how you can literally just cut this down for the most part and make it the Broadway show.
They'd never do that because it'd be acknowledging that the movies are too long, and they are.
#3Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 12:28am
Please God, make it stop.
#4Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 2:09pm
Just go watch a slime tutorial and call it a day.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#5Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 2:14pm
I still stand by my theory that the only way to win public approval on Part 2 was not to play, and simply to release Part 1 with a "to be continued" before pausing indefinitely.
But as far as a shortened director's cut of the two films? Despite theatre people's opinions, the current trends in alternate cuts go in the other direction: he's likelier to make a hyper-extended "Wicked: the Epic Experience" cut with both films plus additional material, or even a miniseries cut that expands the piece but cuts it into five or six episodes instead.
#6Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 3:13pm
Frankly, I don’t entirely trust Chu in the editing room.
Updated On: 12/10/25 at 03:13 PM
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#7Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 3:17pm
darquegk said: "I still stand by my theory that the only way to win public approval on Part 2 was not to play, and simply to release Part 1 with a "to be continued" before pausing indefinitely.
But as far as a shortened director's cut of the two films? Despite theatre people's opinions, the current trends in alternate cuts go in the other direction: he's likelier to make a hyper-extended "Wicked: the Epic Experience" cut with both films plus additional material,or even a miniseries cut that expands the piece but cuts it into five or six episodes instead."
But what if his 'marching orders' were to make a 3-hour version, in a goal to get another shot at the box office, wouldn't that be different? The only reason that I actually even thought of this was not to copy the show. IT was because, when I really like a movie, I will see it multiple times, getting something new with each viewing usually. I could not sit through more than 45 minutes of he current first movie because of the bloat. Yet I thought that there were enough really entertaining parts that, if dramatically re-cut, it could be result in a more entertaining product.
Theatrefan2
Stand-by Joined: 3/27/22
#8Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 3:24pm
I tried to rewatch the first one a couple months back and also struggled to get through it.
Curious to see how it ages and what people think of it in a decade or so. Wonder if it ends up like Les Mis (raved about by majority at the time but the love seems to have died)
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#9Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/10/25 at 4:51pm
If they could get it down to a few 22 minute episodes I might give it a chance.
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#10Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/11/25 at 12:43am
Yes, I wish Chu made a 3 and a half hour cut of both films. Then I wouldn't have to watch so much when I wanna watch Wicked.
#11Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/11/25 at 11:51am
The real question is: should he have done so? It's too late now. The movies are what they are.
Intersting that some people are already rethinking their response to the first movie.
My guess is that for most Wicked fans, the movie is likely to stand the test of time alongside the stage show. But the larger audience who were swept up in the excitement of it all will probably look back on them with a "meh" response, much as I think they have with various superhero, Harry Potter, Twilight and Tolkien franchies.
What the two Wicked movies are not likely to retain even with Wicked fans is the excitement of being the new thing everyone is talking about and excited to see. You usually only get that once. Wicked got it twice. Pretty good proof of success, as far as I'm concerned.
#12Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/11/25 at 7:28pm
joevitus said: "The real question is: should he have done so? It's too late now. The movies are what they are.
Intersting that some people are already rethinking their response to the first movie.
My guess is that for mostWicked fans, the movie is likely to stand the test of time alongsidethe stage show. Butthe larger audience who were swept up in the excitement of it all will probably look back on themwith a "meh" response, much as I think they have with various superhero,Harry Potter,Twilight and Tolkien franchies.
What the two Wickedmovies are not likely to retain even with Wicked fansis the excitement of being the new thing everyone is talking about and excited to see. You usuallyonly get that once. Wicked got it twice. Pretty good proofof success, as far as I'm concerned."
Well said. As a Wicked fan I will still wanna watch the films. Just left often, because it will take so long lol. But yeah, Wicked got it twice. Bravo.
#13Should Chu Create a 3 Hour 'Director's Cut of Wicked
Posted: 12/11/25 at 8:07pm
I think he needs to leave it alone. The second film paled in comparison to the first. IMO.
"You've got to learn how not to be where you are"
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