Wicked could be banned, says director

Director and producer Adam McKay has said he wouldn’t be surprised” if Wicked was banned in 3-5 years due to its “radical” storyline.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) the man behind Anchorman and Don’t Look Up said he doesn’t think Jon M. Chu’s record-breaking musical adaptation will be received as well down the line because of the political climate in the US.

“On a pure storytelling level Wicked Part 1 is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made,” he wrote in his first post, adding, “I know Part 2 swings back to the centre a bit but Part 1 is nakedly about radicalisation in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda.”

He noted a few other movies that come to mind when he thinks of “radical” projects: Bridge on the River Kwai, The Sound of Music, the Searchers, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Hunger Games and Citizen Kane. He also mentioned The Best Years of Our Lives, Network, Dr. Strangelove and Serpico, despite not considering them “big studio movies.”

“What’s really striking about Wicked Part 1 is that it’s coming out NOW when America has never been more right-wing and propagandised. And yes, I know the theatrical production and the book are much older so part of the timing is a coincidence but still …

“I think you’ll be shocked. If America keeps going on the track it is I wouldn’t be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years.”