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Jon M. Chu's Big Move: Why He Chose Paramount After 'Wicked' Success

Filmmaker Jon M. Chu is making a major studio move. He has signed a new first-look producing deal with Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios. This three-year agreement starts in early 2026 and marks the end of his tenure at Warner Bros. Paramount successfully courted him away from other studios following the massive box office success of his 'Wicked' films.

Key Points: Jon M. Chu Signs First-Look Producing Deal with Paramount

  • Three-year deal begins January 2026 for film and TV projects
  • Chu will collaborate with top Paramount executives like Dana Goldberg
  • Paramount outbid Warner Bros. and Universal to secure the director
  • Deal follows Chu's record-breaking success with 'Wicked: For Good'
2 min read

Jon M Chu signs first-look deal with Paramount

Director Jon M. Chu inks a three-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures and Paramount TV, moving on from Warner Bros. after the success of 'Wicked'.

"Paramount's offer proved unmatched. - Sources to The Hollywood Reporter"

Washington DC, December 4

Filmmaker Jon M Chu, fresh off the back-to-back success of 'Wicked' and 'Wicked: For Good', has signed a first-look producing deal with Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios.

The three-year agreement, effective January 2, 2026, will see Chu and his production company develop and produce both feature film and television projects for the studio, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Under the deal, Chu will work closely with Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Motion Picture Group president Don Granger and Paramount Television Studios president Matt Thunell, as per the outlet.

Chu is concluding a tenure at Warner Bros., where he directed the feature adaptation of the Broadway musical In the Heights and the hit Crazy Rich Asians. Sources say that while Warner Bros. and Universal - which produced the Wicked films - attempted to retain him, Paramount's offer proved unmatched. The studio has a history of attracting top talent, having recently signed filmmakers Matt and Ross Duffer, James Mangold, and actor Will Smith, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Chu's latest film, 'Wicked: For Good', the second instalment in his Wicked adaptation, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Released weeks ago, it set a record for the largest global opening ever for a movie based on a Broadway show, and also scored the second-biggest opening at the domestic box office in 2025. The first Wicked film, released last year, earned over USD 756 million worldwide and received 10 Oscar nominations, ultimately winning Academy Awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

Chu's earlier works include Crazy Rich Asians, which marked a milestone for Asian and Asian American representation in Hollywood; Now You See Me 2; Step Up 2: The Streets; and the In the Heights film adaptation. He is also developing a live-action Hot Wheels feature for Warner Bros. and executive producing a Crazy Rich Asians TV series for HBO Max, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Paramount is on a signing spree! First the Duffer brothers, now Chu. Smart move by them. Wicked's box office numbers are insane. As a film buff, I'm just happy he's getting the recognition and resources he deserves. Can't wait for the Hot Wheels movie though!
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Aman W
Respectfully, while I admire his work, I hope this deal doesn't mean he abandons projects that champion Asian narratives. 'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'In the Heights' were so important. Paramount should use this deal to tell stories from beyond the usual Hollywood lens, maybe even explore some Indian diaspora stories?
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Sarah B
The business side of Hollywood is fascinating. A three-year first-look deal is a huge vote of confidence. Warner Bros. and Universal both wanted him, but Paramount won. Shows how competitive it is for top talent. Good for Chu!
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Karthik V
Wicked was pure magic! The production design and costumes winning Oscars was well-deserved. If he can bring that level of visual spectacle to Paramount's projects, we're in for a treat. Hope he considers doing a big musical with Indian influences one day. The potential is huge!
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Nisha Z
From Step Up 2 to directing billion-dollar franchises... what a journey! 🎬 It's inspiring to see a director evolve like this. Excited for the TV projects too. The Crazy Rich Asians series on HBO Max is something I'll definitely watch.

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