Snubbed Jon M. Chu Reacts To 'Wicked' 10 Oscar Noms

Graeme O'Neil takes a look at Jon M. Chu's reaction to "Wicked" receiving 10 Academy Award nominations, while Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Michelle Yeoh react to his snub in the Best Director category.

[@DavidKerley]

It takes a heap of talent and stamina and patience to bring together the massive effort this film required. He should have been nominated.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

It won the Golden Globes award they created for Barbie last year, and honestly I don't know where to put this, I fully expect a sweep for the Brutalist, its just much more of the kind of film the Academy recognizes. I would expect Wicked to pick up costuming, hair and makeup, production design, etc.

[@riojohan5769]

Oh yeah, and the other five directors' films were less good than "Wicked"? Bullshit.

[@mikeibit5891]

​@@Gee-xb7rt gwyneth won for a so-so movie..

[@mariaantonia-op8qc]

​@@riojohan5769 It's a nomination for "best director" remember? Not "best film", which Wicked is also a nominee at, if you recall. After watching the film I already thought that the direction on Wicked was phenomenal and everything I see from the behind the scenes only makes me apreciate the work this man did even more. Jon M. Chu definitely deserved to be on that nomination list, and so did Denis Villeneuve. I was sad to see neither of them there... sad, but not surprised unfortunately.

[@riojohan5769]

@@mariaantonia-op8qc I have to disagree with you, in my personal opinion (and taste) two of the names nominated are more superior and "auteur" and, most importantly, "daring" and "original" in their directorial approach rather than "Wicked". I watched the four films, and I watched Wicked (and other nominees of Best Film also). The ones that I, probably, going to disagree with the Best Director nomination are Jacques Audiard and James Mangold. But I haven't seen "A Complete Unknown" (that is why I said "probably"), I only deduct it from his previous works (which are less "auteur" and less "daring" and less "interesting" than the rest of the list). As for Jacques Audiard, it's just his weakest film for me (and I have watched his films since the early stage of his career, since he was just an unknown auteur French director). The ones that are more deserving, for me, rather than Jon M. Chu, are RaMell Ross (the director of "Nickel Boys") and Walter Salles (the legendary Brazilian director behind "I'm Still Here"), or even Payal Kapadia ("All We Imagine As Light", she was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globe). But that's my take. Watch their films too if you haven't. Don't say other people aren't deserving or doing less than someone before you watched their works.

[@douglaswild3852]

How could Jon have NOT been nominated for best director?? All the choices for this AMAZING movie would not have happened without him!! This is SO wrong!! He ABSOLUTELY deserved to be nominated!! What a major mistake by the academy. 😠

[@yedis1750]

What a really lovely guy! I really hope he gets direct acknowledgment for the second film. Adapting the stage show so it works on film in the incredible way that it does is a HUGE achievement that very few people out there would have done half as successfully. Jon, no award or lack thereof is ever going to take away from the beautifully collaborative effort that you are responsible for sir. Congratulations and thank you from a very grateful movie goer!

[@pamelabrown3058]

Bravo 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽 Genius 😘 Well Said

[@shanonb8921]

IT'S A CRIME HE WASN'T NOMINATED FOR BEST DIRECTOR

[@jamesk8s1]

Let's hope that his gracious humble grateful heart is recognized and awarded on the 2nd go round with part 2!!!

[@gokcenilktac]

He deserves all the nominations. And I love how genuinely happy he was for everyone else in his team that got nominated. You can tell he is a good person and a phenomenal leader.

[@galaxygal1788]

Thanks, for this video. I just subscribed. I love all things Wicked. I have seen it twice now and was nicely surprised the 2nd time that it still hit in the right places and I still sobbed again! Jon M. Chu seems like an amazing person and deserved the nomination.

[@arkoprobhochattopadhyay0370]

I M PISSED THIS ENORMOUS TALENT WAS LEFT BEHIND! I root for John M Chu They better get nominated next year for part 2

[@nanacheese9135]

Yes.Yes.Yes. unbelievably angry. How can you make a masterpiece and leave out the director.? Jon,your vision,your love for the actors gave us an eternal gift for our hearts ,souls and minds.Thank you💓💚

[@arachnid33]

I'm a huge musical lover so my expectations for Wicked were very, very low. Film Musicals are usually such a disappointment as Directors typically don't understand the genre and try too much to turn it into something else. However, I saw Wicked three times in theatres, 100% due to Jon Chu's direction. There is no way Wicked would be what it is without him. I think the Director category is consistently a disappointment. It doesn't need to be an edgy movie to be worthy of a director nod. Wicked was a clear example of great direction.

[@toomuchstuff4828]

A great director's vision brought to realization, without the constraints of the stage. When they go into the Emerald City, there are some long, sweeping and weaving shots of literally hundreds of actors/dancers that are just incredible and this is something he really specializes in!! See "In The Heights" and the Park scene for another example of this kind of song-and-dance spectacle.

[@airmykii4090]

Oh he was definitely snubbed yes it got ten nom that’s fine but the amount of skill it took for him to create such an incredibly put together film … mind you he hasn’t been nominated in any other awards ceremony as of yet .. it’s definitely a crime … let’s all hold space for Best Director Jon M Chu “Wicked For Good” !!!!

[@JordanVanRyn]

I am so mad that Jon M Chu isn’t nominated for best Director. You can tell “Wicked” was clearly a passion project made with love and appreciation for the musical and was a real present to the long time fans and newcomers. GIVE WICKED ALL THE AWARDS!!!

[@lester10023]

LOVE JON M CHU!

[@benjantzen7063]

Yes, I am totally shocked and upset at the ACADEMY for not including Jon M. Chu in the Best Director category! I saw that and I thought it has to be an oversight. His movie is SO incredible, SO cinematic and touching, there is no way he could not be at least NOMINATED for that category. SHAME on you, ACADEMY, for snubbing such a brilliant director and his incredible work!

[@toomuchstuff4828]

Extremely cinematic with a direct nod to old Hollywood and Buzzby Berkley.

[@fad23]

I just finished reading Viewfinder, and Jon M. Chu continues impress the heck out of me.

[@alanverhagen]

I agree with you, I just can’t believe he wasn’t nominated-under his direction the film is already such a classic and a standout! And look how well it has performed at the box office!! ❤

[@da96103]

Oscar is holding space for him in 2026.

[@kelliehorn1082]

😳🤭

[@hannahjones8115]

i think so too

[@jamesk8s1]

AFter 60 years on this earth, I have learned many times and it's always hard, that life is NOT fair, and that humans are illogical and often make choices that do not make sense; BUT! How JMC handled this is THE lesson in life about how to rise above and handle the inevitable unfairness in life....I am such an admirer of his genius, talent, humbleness and an appreciator of what a gr8 Life coach he is too!

[@gdcribbs]

They had better make this right after part 2 is released and nominate John M Chu for best director. He built the kitchen so everyone else could cook, period!

[@AchillesandArtemis]

The real prize is having directed such a CLASSIC! While it’s a snub, it doesn’t take anything away from Jon’s brilliant work. The adaptation of Wicked could’ve easily been disappointing, but it actually exceeded expectations by a lot. It’s not to be taken for granted how perfectly this was brought to life!

[@edreid7872]

They are gonna wait to give it to him after part 2..he surmised that..😊.. Makes sense..are Cynthia and Arianna eligible for nom next year?… They waited until the last Hobbit movie to award Peter Jackson… same scenario..

[@mayflower7811]

This is why John Chu should do the Hamilton movie next because he would be shown in to win the Oscar rather than or the very least nominated

[@EveHawk12]

I want John library with all its special nik naks and hard wood. Just stunning. Also the kids screaming in the background ales John ridiculously relatable 😂

[@KristinAlayna]

He is the best director

[@michaelmuldowney8]

There was a time that missing a director nomination meant zero chance of winning best picture. But then along came Argo and Green Book and Coda. And really - just watch for Wicked: For Good setting the record next year.

[@pamelabrown3058]

Who knows that: It is an Honor to be rejected by "this world" 🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉

[@KCNwokoye]

I don't think he got snubbed. His movie got 10 Oscar nominations including Best picture. It's well deserved. So many great movies weren't even nominated. I'm sure he'll get a nomination if he continues to work hard. He's clearly an awesome leader and great visionary.

[@toomuchstuff4828]

10 Movies were nominated for Best Picture and only 5 directors were nominated in the Director's category. Chu absolutely deserved to be nominated for the biggest film of the year.

[@Himthepoet]

the fact that he is cultural labeled as snubbed says a lot. the man is super talented and is only becoming more obvious. major applause! 💪✨💪✨💪✨

[@OberonTrident3028]

If it's any consolation, there will be part 2 that's releasing later this year, and depending on how it goes, should put For Good up for the 2026 Oscars. Hopefully Jon will be recognized by then as a culmination of the entire Wicked story. I agree that there's so much that goes into directing this movie musical that Jon didn't get recognized for, but the Academy also seems to have a hard time recognizing direction for movie musicals. Because Wicked is split into 2 parts, the Academy could be waiting until the second part gets released to award the movie for the whole story, kind of like what they did with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, disagreeable as that may be. For this year, I can see Wicked winning a lot of the below the line categories, but losing most if not all the above the line categories.

[@tonihagan6330]

Crazy that the movie got 10 Oscar nods, including best picture, but he didn't get an Oscar nod for directing?

[@JohnVelazquez-jo3pd]

Well let's hope the Oscars don't do a *_1996 Mariah Grammy snub_* (yes I'm aware that they are two very different events) to the 10 nominations the film got, at the event...

[@TemporaryTemporary-y2j]

OMG, I'd forgotten about that... I was so happy for Mariah's nominations for her _Daydream_ album but she didn't win a single one at the event... But like you said, *_different events,_* but let's hope nothing similar happens at the Oscars to *_Wicked_*

[@willie8765]

Like Billy Crystal once said of Streisand’s directorial snub in the Prince of Tides, did they think the picture (Wicked) directed itself ???? Smh

[@illusionofartYT]

This made me happy and sad. Happy for the whole wicked team they deserve it! but sad because...and you know what's gonna be the fucked up part ....they are gonna pull a Barbie and give this film nothing and I see it from a mile away. If the Golden Globes are anything to go off with the cinematic box office achievement award situation! Their speech was so sweet but it felt like a participation trophy... I hope I'm wrong when the Oscars come around but I'm preparing myself now :(

[@AntsTheaterCorner2698]

Don't worry. It's not gonna happen. It got 10 nominations and broke the record for the most of any film ever without director or screenplay. It could break a best picture stat and win without the 2. In fact, Wicked is set to dominate the craft categories while Dune Part 2 is set to lay down in the dust. If the academy loved it this much, they're going to give it everything. It already outclassed Barbie in ever way. For example, Barbie was so far away from Best Picture because of the miss for editing. Wicked has editing, 2 female acting performances and 7 craft nominations. I keep telling people to have faith in it. The great Wicked resurgence is happening. It started with SAG awards where it bagged 5 (the most of any film and it's tied with EEAAO) and it will end with The Oscars where it will Defy Gravity. They wouldn't have put this film up in 10 Oscars next to The Brutalist if they didn't LOVE it. They clearly have been head over heels for it for months. A win for this film is a win for the director, remember that. When it wins Oscars, it wins for the director too because he's the whole vision of the entire team. On top of that, they've got a sequel coming and will give it to him then. A win for this film is a win for the director. The next few months will be interesting and now we know that Wicked is a heavyweight in tech categories and Acting. Nobody in the academy, no Oscar that there is or was, is ever gonna bring them down. Mark my words. Also, that Globes win is just a special award to show what had the most box office staying power and was the most surprising. They could give that to anything and it wouldn't make a difference in the awards total won. It's just a popular award for the big studio films that deserve recognition. It was actually being considered as a category 2 years before Barbie to give more recognition and merit to popular American films. It means nothing in the long run, otherwise Wicked wouldn't have won so many actress performance awards so far. There's also no frontrunner so they want to give everything something until the Critics Choice and SAG where Wicked will show it's strength. It's not really just a happy film. Hopeful is the word I'd use because the anti-fascism and racism themes will resonate more than anything else. Let me know how you feel about this.

[@illusionofartYT]

@AntsTheaterCorner2698 this makes me feel a bit more optimistic!

[@AntsTheaterCorner2698]

@@illusionofartYT Anytime. I'm curious if you're truly optimistic. I can give you the stats of Best Picture winners and how increasingly rare it is now for a director to win and win Screenplay to correlate with the top award.

[@illusionofartYT]

@@AntsTheaterCorner2698 sure why not

[@gjford1951]

​@@AntsTheaterCorner2698 it's happened before, more than once. 'The Color Purple was nominated for 11 Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Actress for Goldberg and Best Supporting Actress for both Avery and Winfrey).[37] It failed to win any of them, tying the record set by 1977's The Turning Point for the most Oscar nominations without a single win. "

[@rejachemno]

Like if he deserved the nomination. Comment if he did not

[@johnnolan5579]

He definitely should have been nominated especially considering James Mangold's conventional direction was nominated for his okay film A Complete Unknown

[@kennet689]

I still don’t understand how a movie can be nominated for best picture but not the director.. isn’t it the director that made it a best picture nominated movie

[@minettesv1205]

Maybe they will nominate him next year . He should have been nominated!!!

[@Kmbri]

Do u think they are just pulling a Return of the King and waiting to give him his awards after Wicked 2?

[@keynolivia]

Yes I’m angry at this snub. I was expecting to see him win an Oscar for bringing such brilliance to life.

[@toomuchstuff4828]

He made a shizz-load of money for Hollywood this year and they (the Academy) dissed him totally. A crime.

[@nicology13]

I usually don’t give a thought about the Oscar’s since the Angela Basset loss, but this one hurt. A FANTASTIC movie and the director didn’t get acknowledged. Hmmm

[@AndySaenz924]

I can’t believe Jon M. Chu wasn’t even nominated for best director! What the heck is wrong with the academy??

[@micahelhonjzerritug941]

yes he should have been nominated and Michelle is right he should have been nominated for into the heights t00

[@DLee756]

Thank you, Graeme! Kids, we gotta go… 😊

[@MarGoLuv]

Isn’t there a part 2? I bet he will get nominated for that one.

[@harperwiccan475]

That's not the point. He should be celebrated for his hard work and dedication for the FIRST INSTALLATION of the film. A part 2 is yet another film on its own. Wicked part one was on its own over 2 hrs and worth every minute of being seen! There are many fans willing to watch the ENTIRE first film with the deleted scenes which would bring the film well over 3 hrs.

[@TheBuzzRead]

Probably waiting for wicked part 2 to give him full credit for both parts( ala LOTR director getting it at the end of his trilogy)

[@tinamardt7734]

I think Conclave director not being nominated is a bigger snub

[@d.deborahjones8783]

He must have pissed off someone in Hollywood behind the scenes because him not being nominated makes no sense.

[@innerwinnerproductions834]

He should have been nominated for sure. Seems like this was a rejection because of complexion.

[@Zhu_huan_watercolor]

Yall need to look up the definition of snubbed… no one was predicting him into best director

[@lindaquach5736]

I am pissed! It doesn't make sense if you get 10 different nominations for Wicked, how can he not get nominated ? I saw Anora, the first 1/4 of the movie was all sex, alcohol, parties, and drugs from twenty something years old kids. The story line was sinple and basic. Yet, that director got nominated. It's not fair!

[@Adam-cs8uz]

Moulin Rouge 2.0 oscars snub

[@kelliehorn1082]

What happened that time?

[@ANGELSLVME]

They do not like him? Blackballed ? How u get best pic, not best director

[@keturahspencer]

Much like Dune 2, apparently the film is good enough to be a best picture nominee without recognition to the directors.

[@sainttrai]

Not egregious, Denis Villeneuve was more deserving

[@kennet689]

The Oscar’s get worst and worst every year. We get the wokeness. But we have gone over board. Emilio Perez’s director gets an Oscar nomination. But Jon doesn’t

[@inspirationaljohnson632]

He was replaced due to that awful movie!

[@pineshimmer]

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 The Oscars is peer reviewed and is often more about politics and networking than actual talent. Once in a blue moon the audience will get their way. 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚 IF Wicked For Good (part ii) is as good as Wicked Part 1, Jon M Chu should get a nomination just as Peter Jackson did for The Return of the King. 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷 I read the books, have seen the stage play, and have seen the movie in standard, 3D and Imax. This Wicked movie will be around in 100 years when we are gone and forgotten. 🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨

[@AntsTheaterCorner2698]

I agree with this entirely. I believe they were holding out on best director for the sequel. Somehow, Peter Jackson got nominated for all three of his films. Yet, the director here was snubbed for James Mangold of ACU. The direction in that was poor IMO. I believe Jon M Chu will get his Return of the King style nomination for director next year. They did this purposefully, yet they still have the film 10 nominations. This breaks a record for the most noms without Director or Screenplay. It could break a BP stat with this film alone. Since there's no front runner yet, there could still be a massive chance for Wicked to pull intense upsets. After all, winning the screen actors Guild award increases its chances greatly. It's set to completely win! Ensemble and it's not even close.

[@wheretheyhaveribs55]

There are better directors this year

[@cshawn07]

Wicked is one Lame ass movie..Poorly written. Poorly directed. Lame actors..Woke B.S. typical behavior for this industry!!

[@donaldnool2495]

get a life, touch some grass 🤦