One of many largest films of 2024 is already within the midst of manufacturing its extremely anticipated second act. Nonetheless, Depraved director Jon M. Chu encountered various lukewarm reactions after revealing his revised model of the sequel’s title. Initially known as simply Depraved: Half Two, the surprising transition to Depraved: For Good has attracted criticisms from followers who imagine this new title is pointless and incongruent with the movies’ Broadway roots.
Nonetheless, when talking to Selection on the Nationwide Board of Evaluation awards gala on Tuesday night, Chu defended his determination by stating the admittedly unoriginal nature of the sequel’s preliminary title.
“Who needs a film known as Depraved: Half Two? On the script, it all the time mentioned, ‘For Good,’ and so it was only a level of like, ‘Do we actually need to name this “Half Two”?’ And no person needs that.”
This amended title is a reference to the penultimate track of Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musical, throughout which Elphaba and Glinda sing about how their shared relationship has irreparably altered their lives. It is a bittersweet ballad, recognizing an impending parting of the way, and seemingly very acceptable for the identify of Depraved‘s second and closing act.
Not everybody seems to agree, nevertheless. In spite of everything, the primary installment was typically marketed as Depraved: Half One, with even the title card of the movie displaying that identify, so this transformation does appear a bit of final minute. Some followers additionally disagree with the divergence from Broadway custom, by which separate acts of the identical musical are known as merely “half one” and “half two,” respectively.
Nonetheless, Chu argued that For Good was all the time meant to be the sequel’s title, saying, “I imply, that’s the vacation spot. ‘For Good,’ we all know, is like,’The place are we going with this film? Let’s end this factor.'”
One other fan added that, whatever the title, folks could be displaying as much as see the second act in droves, aptly observing: “They might name it Melting the Inexperienced Woman: Dorothy’s Revenge, and I’d nonetheless be there opening night time.”
Expectations Proceed to Rise for Depraved: For Good
No matter differing opinions over the sequel’s new title, it is clear that Chu is aware of what he is doing in the case of Depraved. The primary installment was formally topped the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation simply six weeks after launch, beating the universally beloved 2008 rom-com Mamma Mia! for this spectacular achievement.
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The 2025 Golden Globes additionally bestowed Depraved and its ensemble forged with a number of different accolades, together with a nomination for the Greatest Movement Image and a triumph within the Cinematic and Field Workplace Achivement class. Chu additionally acquired an award for Greatest Director on the Nationwide Board of Evaluation Awards gala, the place he addressed Depraved: For Good‘s divisive title change.
With so many awards and damaged information, followers’ expectations for Depraved: For Good are undeniably sky-high. However Chu’s ardent protection of his sequel’s new identify is an effective omen for the quantity of ardour he is pouring into the upcoming movie.
Actually, Depraved‘s second installment has already wrapped filming, that means that the months till its launch date on Nov. 21, 2025 might be spent laboring over post-production reasonably than speeding the ultimate product. Briefly, Depraved: For Good is trying to be a worthy successor of each the Broadway musical and its explosive first act.