“Wicked” continues to defy expectations, earning 10 Oscar nominations.
Cynthia Erivo earned the best actress nomination for her role as Elphaba and Ariana Grande received the nod for best supporting actress. The film is also up for best picture, film editing, production design, costume design, original score, makeup and hairstyling, sound and visual effects.
“I’m in shock at this moment, especially in L.A., where we need a little light,” the film’s director Jon M. Chu explained on the KTLA 5 Morning News. “You know, what are awards? What does that really mean? But it’s so much.”
Chu pointed out that the film’s editor, Myron Kerstein, is a longtime Altadena resident and received the nomination for best film editing. The catastrophic Eaton Fire destroyed his neighborhood, but he revealed on Instagram that his home is “still standing.”
“We were working yesterday and not even thinking about awards, and this morning, when he got it, I couldn’t help but be so happy for him, just to have this outlet of joy today. It means a lot,” Chu explained.
Before the nominations were announced, he did give Erivo and Grande a pep talk.
“I said, ‘Whatever happens, we did it. We did our movie. (The) work is in there and people have been responding to the movie, which is the biggest reward,'” he explained.
He called them this morning and said, “Everyone was in tears.”
Despite the numerous nominations, especially for best picture, Chu was left out of the director category. He addressed the snub head-on and with no hard feelings.
“This is a blessing. Making a movie is a miracle. Making a movie with a group of people and actually having an audience enjoy it and take it home and bring it into their lives, that’s a huge reward,” he explained. “I love seeing our cast get the love. They’re the ones whose hands got dirty in this, and that means the most. I’m just glad we got 10. My Asian parents can look at this and feel proud!”
Chu said he’s honored to have a film nominated in the best picture category.
“I know it sounds cliche, (but) it is an honor to even be nominated, just being in this business to make movies that aren’t just entertaining, but are radical acts of optimism that we can continue to put hope and dreams in people’s heads the way we were all inspired by movies when we grew up. That’s the most important thing,” he gushed.
The Oscars have a special place in Chu’s heart.
“I watched every Academy Awards since I’ve been living in L.A., I even snuck into the awards when I was living at USC,” he sheepishly admitted. “To be at that event, to be actually invited. It’s going to be an honor to be surrounded by artists that we look up to and love in an industry that we love at a time when we need it, and that’s going to be the big win.”
The 97th Academy Awards take place on March 2. The ceremony will be live on ABC at 4 p.m. PST and streamed live on Hulu.
“Wicked” is available to own or rent on digital and is also in theaters.
