‘Wicked’ director says filming was ‘so close’ to completion before actors’ strike: ‘Very painful to interrupt’

Jon M. Chu is sharing an update on Evil filming amid strikes by actors and writers.

The director took his own Instagram Stories Wednesday to reveal that production on the film has been suspended “until the strike ends” and that filming had nearly finished before SAG-AFTRA picked up the pickets.

“It was only days away from the end, so we were so close,” Chu wrote. “It was very painful to stop everything, but we will be back! And we will finish suitably strong when the time is right.

He continued, “My heart goes out to our cast and crew who were left out of what we came here to complete together. More to come, but in the meantime, I’m excited to dig into what we’ve been shooting over the past year here in Oz. … It has been an amazing adventure… there is still a lot to do.”

Most of the details surrounding the highly anticipated film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, have been kept under wraps. But Chu gave fans their first look in April at their characters in the live-action musical adaptation of Evil.

Chu added that the release date of Wicked: Part 1, currently set for November 27, 2024, is not expected to be affected by the strike. The second film will debut on November 26, 2025.

The actors joined writers, who have been on strike since early May, on pickets last week after contract talks with studios and streamers fell through.

The director also showed his support for the SAG-AFTRA strike in his post, writing “Much love” to the film’s cast and “our other beloved SAG members who are fighting for a fair settlement! We are with you.

Evil it’s not the only film to be impacted by the actors’ strike. Wonder Deadpool 3by Ridley Scott Gladiator sequel and the eighth of Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie are among the currently pending projects.