Director Jon M. Chu missed ‘Wicked’ premiere to welcome fifth child

Director Jon M. Chu was notably absent from the premiere of his highly anticipated film Wicked, but his reason for missing the event was truly heartwarming. The director, known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, shared with fans on Instagram that he and his wife, Kristin Hodge, welcomed their fifth child on the same day the movie premiered.

In a post on Instagram Stories, Chu expressed his astonishment and joy, writing, “I can’t believe this happened while the movie is premiering,” alongside a sweet photo of Hodge holding their newborn daughter. He added a loving message to his new baby girl: “Welcome to our world, you’re gonna do great. You have a lot of witches on your side.”

The timing of the birth was indeed magical. As Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo—playing Glinda and Elphaba, respectively—prepared to dazzle audiences, Chu’s family was expanding. The movie is a highly anticipated two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, which serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz and offers an alternate backstory to the events of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival.

Although Chu was physically absent from the red carpet, his presence was still felt at the premiere. A touching video message from the director was shown to the audience before the film began. Chu, speaking from the hospital, shared his excitement and gratitude, saying, “I’ve waited for three years to have this moment to share a movie with you, but I’ve waited my whole life to have this moment, to have a fifth child right now.” The crowd responded with a collective “aww” to the heartfelt message.

With his signature sense of humor, Chu added, “Of course, this little girl knows when to show up,” acknowledging the perfect timing of the birth during the Wicked premiere.

The cast of Wicked is a star-studded affair, with Grande and Erivo leading the way. The ensemble also includes Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Part one of the two-part film will hit theaters on November 22, 2024, with the second part expected to follow in November 2025.

For Chu, the arrival of his fifth child is undoubtedly a moment of personal joy and significance. As he prepares for the release of a major film that has been years in the making, the director now has the added joy of welcoming a new member to his family.

The connection between Wicked and Chu’s new daughter is not lost on him. In his Instagram message, he joked that his daughter now has “a lot of witches on her side,” referencing the powerful female characters in the movie. Chu’s excitement about both the film and his growing family is clear, and it’s a testament to his love for both his craft and his loved ones.

Wicked, which has been in development for years, will finally make its way to theaters in just a few weeks. The film has already generated significant buzz, especially with the casting of Grande and Erivo, who are expected to bring a new level of energy and emotion to the iconic roles of Glinda and Elphaba. Fans of the Broadway show are eagerly anticipating the film’s release, and the premiere marks a major milestone for both Chu and the film’s stars.

In the coming months, as Wicked makes its cinematic debut, Chu will no doubt have his hands full balancing his personal and professional life. But with the arrival of his daughter and the completion of a major film project, it’s clear that 2024 will be a year to remember for the director.

With the first installment of Wicked scheduled for release just before Thanksgiving, Chu and his family can look forward to a momentous year ahead. The second part of the film is expected to follow in 2025, giving fans a full and captivating look at the magical world of Oz through a fresh lens.