Adam McKay is uncertain about the lasting impact of Wicked.
The director of Vice took to social media earlier this week to praise the Ariana Grande- and Cynthia Erivo-led musical. However, he also expressed concern that its “radical” themes might result in the film being banned in the future.
“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 on X. “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.”
He went on to compare Wicked to other films often considered radical, including Bridge on the River Kwai, The Sound of Music, The Hunger Games, and Citizen Kane.
“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,” McKay continued. “And yes, I know the theatrical production and the book are much older, so part of the timing is a coincidence, but still…”
Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and the Tony Award-winning musical, Wicked follows Elphaba (Erivo), a young witch attending Shiz University.
While there, she befriends Glinda (Grande) and becomes an advocate for animal rights after witnessing the mistreatment of creatures who are imprisoned and stripped of their rights and voices.
When one user on X expressed interest in seeing the film after learning about its subject matter, McKay responded, “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 stood by his prediction when a second user questioned the extent of a potential ban. “Jesus, dude. You really think I’m 100% saying the movie will for sure be banned to the point where no one can ever see it?” McKay replied.
“The idea of shutting down non-profits at the President’s discretion is in motion. Things are changing fast.”
McKay has long been vocal about politics, both on social media and through his films. His most recent project, Don’t Look Up, centers on two astronomers trying to warn humanity about a catastrophic comet heading toward Earth.
He also received multiple Oscar nominations for his 2018 biographical film Vice, which dramatized the life of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Last month, McKay also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris following her loss in the presidential election to Donald Trump.
He called on others to “abandon” the Democratic Party, writing, “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’s cognitive health for 2 years, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a year-long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn’t be a winning strategy?”
