Adam McKay Says ‘Wicked’ Is a ‘Radical’ Studio Film That Could Be ‘Banned in Three to Five Years’

Adam McKay is applauding just how “radical” Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation “Wicked” is.

The director tweeted that “Wicked,” which is only one half of Chu’s two-part vision, is one of the biggest swings in Hollywood. McKay explained that “Wicked” is “nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, [and] propaganda,” which feels especially poignant in America today.

“On a pure storytelling level, ‘Wicked Part 1’ is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made,” McKay wrote. “I know ‘Part 2’ swings back to the center a bit but ‘Part 1’ is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, [and] propaganda.”

He continued, “What’s really striking about ‘Wicked Part 1’ is that it’s coming out NOW when America has never been more right wing and propagandized. 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 to 5 years.”

McKay added that the film is “VERY radical” and that co-lead star Ariana Grande is an “incredible” actress. “It’s as good a performance as you’ll find in any genre,” he wrote.

However, McKay clarified that this wasn’t his review of the film but rather an observation about its timeliness.

“And because it’s Twitter the ‘always be reviewing everything all the time’ crowd immediately goes to ‘Wow. You really liked “Wicked” THAT much?’ I’m not reviewing the movie. I’m talking about the story and POV as a commercial worldwide film,” he wrote. “I’m just talking about the story and POV. It’s still a Hollywood musical so don’t expect the Baeder Meinhoff Complex.”

McKay cited “Bridge on the River Kwai,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Searchers,” and “Citizen Kane” among other examples of “radical big studio Hollywood movies” that made political statements like “Wicked.”

“I don’t think of ‘The Best Years of Our Lives,’ ‘Network,’ ‘Dr. Strangelove,’ ‘Serpico,’ etc. as ‘big studio movies,'” McKay added. “This is off the top of my head so I’m sure I’m forgetting a half dozen other ‘radical’ big Hollywood movies. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a famous one but I don’t think it did well at the box office. ‘Hunger Games.’ That’s a big one. It’s incredibly left wing. […] I remember some people being snooty about ‘Avatar’ and I was like are you kidding me?”

“Wicked” is now in theaters with “Part Two” set for a 2025 release.