David Ellison’s reimagined, Skydance-owned Paramount continues its aggressive talent sweep. And its latest pick up is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after filmmakers. Wicked director Jon M. Chu has officially signed a three-year first-look producing deal with Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios, marking a major creative shift for the blockbuster filmmaker and a big win for the resurging studio.
Effective January 2nd, 2026, the deal positions Chu and his production company to develop and produce feature films and television projects for the Melrose Avenue studio. Chu will collaborate closely with Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Motion Picture Group president Don Granger, and Paramount Television Studios president Matt Thunell. To be honest, it’s looking like a powerhouse team leading the charge of Paramount’s new creative era.
The move comes at a pivotal moment in Chu’s career. He’s fresh off the back-to-back success of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, the two-part adaptation of the famed Broadway musical. The second installment, Wicked: For Good, opened just weeks ago and shattered records: the largest global opening ever for a Broadway adaptation and the second-biggest domestic debut of 2025.
The first film, Wicked, became a worldwide sensation in 2024, earning more than $756 million globally and scoring 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It ultimately took home Oscars for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Further cementing Chu’s reputation as a filmmaker capable of balancing spectacle, emotion, and cultural impact.
For Warner Bros., Chu’s departure marks the end of a long and successful run. During his tenure, he directed In the Heights and the groundbreaking cultural milestone Crazy Rich Asians, which redefined Asian and Asian American representation in Hollywood. He also helmed Now You See Me 2 and Step Up 2 the Streets, showcasing his versatility across genres.
Sources say Warner Bros. made a strong effort to keep Chu. And Universal, the home of the Wicked franchise, also pushed heavily to secure him. But Paramount’s new creative leadership and ambitious vision ultimately sealed the deal. The studio has been on a roll, successfully attracting high-profile talent including Will Smith, James Mangold, and Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer.
In addition to his new Paramount partnership, Chu remains busy! In fact, he’s developing the live-action Hot Wheels feature for Warner Bros. and executive producing the Crazy Rich Asians television series for HBO Max.
Represented by UTA, Artists First, and Goodman Genow, Chu enters his new era with momentum, freedom, and one of Hollywood’s most resurgent studios behind him. All signs point to a slate of ambitious, culturally resonant storytelling. The kind that has defined his career from Crazy Rich Asians to Wicked. And if Paramount’s talent acquisition streak is any indication, the studio is building not just a roster, but a true creative powerhouse.
