Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked' Sparks Mixed Reviews and Oscar Buzz

Director Jon M. Chu's decision to split the musical 'Wicked' into two films is proving successful, with the first part set to open to $120 million at the domestic box office, breaking records for Broadway-to-screen adaptations. Chu, a long-time fan of the stage production, collaborated closely with the original creators to ensure the film's authenticity and depth, focusing on the central characters and themes. This approach contrasts with previous attempts to split films, such as the unsuccessful 'Divergent' series.