Wicked Director Hid Final Shot From Studio

Director Jon M. Chu intentionally kept the final shot of "Wicked: For Good" hidden from Universal Pictures executives, a decision he says was always part of his plan. Chu feared the studio would overuse the poignant closing image in marketing materials, thereby diluting its emotional impact. He successfully prevented the powerful final moment from being revealed before the film's release.

The film's conclusion features a direct recreation of the iconic poster from the original "Wicked" Broadway musical, showing Glinda whispering to Elphaba. This image is central to the film's thematic exploration of friendship and shared secrets. Chu believed preserving this moment for the audience was paramount, even if it meant withholding it from studio previewers.

Despite the director's efforts, Universal had previously released a poster recreation that drew criticism from fans for altering the original illustration. Actress Cynthia Erivo found these fan-made edits hurtful, emphasizing the distinction between an illustration and a real person. The film is now playing in theaters nationwide.