Wicked film director Jon M Chu revealed details about his revisions to the emotional ballad “I’m Not That Girl” seen in the motion picture version of the popular stage show. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) delivers this song to convey her emotions about being excluded from romantic love and feeling like an outsider.
The song has held its power with audiences throughout two decades while particularly touching women who have suffered similar romantic sorrows. The director of Wicked wanted to elevate the emotional depth of this important scene based on the film’s live screening.
A Cinematic Approach to the Song’s Opening
Director Jon M Chu decided intentionally how “I’m Not That Girl” would begin in his movie according to his interview.
“She’s starting in the forest, and everything goes silent,” Chu shared. “She’s the one who brings the music in.”
This small yet powerful change was a result of careful collaboration with Stephen Schwartz, the musical’s original composer. Jon M Chu wanted the song to feel natural and seamless, rather than stopping the film’s flow with an abrupt musical cue.
“It takes a lot of collaboration,” he continued. “We had discussions about not having that intro music—instead, letting it come in differently. I always look for ways to make it feel like you slip into the moment rather than interrupting the story.”
A Slower, More Melancholic Touch
Another significant change Jon M Chu made was slowing down the song’s pacing. He explained that by doing this, the song carries an even deeper sense of melancholy, making Elphaba’s feelings more vulnerable and raw.
“It’s much slower,” Chu revealed. “We wanted to pace it down because it’s a different type of song. You just want to hesitantly explore this question of self-worth and longing.”
Through his tempo adjustment, Chu strives to make Wicked’s songs resonate more deeply with audiences thus encouraging a stronger connection to Elphaba’s emotional narrative.
Anticipation Builds for ‘Wicked: For Good’
The upcoming Wicked: For Good film will make its premiere on November 21, 2025. Jon M Chu leads a standout cast and makes purposeful choices to deliver Wicked fans their much-awaited new interpretation of the Broadway smash. Wicked fans should expect an emotionally striking and visually stunning cinematic experience based on these musical changes in “I’m Not That Girl” when the movie finally premieres.
