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Director explains why he believes Wicked could be ‘banned in 3-5 years’

wicked director explains why it could be banned in a few years

Adam McKay, the director of Don’t Look Up, has explained why he believes Wicked could be ‘banned in 3-5 years’.

The movie adaptation of the popular Broadway musical released across the world last month, smashing many records in the process.



Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked acts as a prequel story to The Wizard of Oz showing how Elphaba became known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

It sees Cynthia Erivo star as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with other cast members including Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard.

The movie has so far grossed $586 million worldwide.

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked (Universal Pictures)

And while Wicked has been a massive success, McKay believes films like it may no longer be a thing in the coming years.

The writer-director penned on Twitter: “On a pure storytelling level Wicked Part 1 is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made.

“I know Part 2 swings back to the center a bit but Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda.

“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…”

McKay then replied to a fellow Twitter user to provide a timeline of when such moves like Wicked could be banned in the US.

“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,” he penned.

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Adam McKay believes movies such as Wicked could be banned (Dan Steinberg/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)

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.”

The director went on to list The Hunger Games as another film series that could get the chop because ‘it’s incredibly left wing’.

Just over a month on from its release, Wicked sits at a hugely impressive 88 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes while also achieving a 95 percent audience score.

If you haven’t already, you certainly need to go see Wicked.

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