Jon M. Chu Reflects on Past Self-Doubt and Hollywood Journey Jon M. Chu, the director behind Wicked, Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights, recently opened up about a period in his career when he questioned whether he belonged in Hollywood. Speaking during the Canva Create 2026 panel at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 16, Chu shared how he once struggled to find his place in the industry, describing a time when he felt he “didn’t deserve” to be part of the film world. His revelations came as he discussed his creative process, emphasizing how imagination and personal connection drive his storytelling. Chu, 46, explained that his approach to filmmaking begins with a sense of curiosity or a need to tell a particular story. “It either sparks me or not, or I have to go on some journey to find if I connect with it,” he said. He added that without this initial spark, a project lacks meaning for him. “Without that, I can’t tell you what colors. I can’t tell you what we should build for and it doesn’t mean anything to me,” he continued. Despite his current success, Chu admitted he once felt insecure about his place in Hollywood. “I didn’t think I deserved to be in Hollywood,” he said, referencing his breakthrough film Crazy Rich Asians (2018). The movie, which starred Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Jeong, became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of the 2010s, earning $239 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Chu described the project as a turning point, noting that its success was both unexpected and deeply personal. He acknowledged the challenges of pursuing such a project, recalling how he once told his team, “I’m going to make a movie. I’m going to take five years and I’m not going to make you any money.#sofi_stadium #jon_m_chu #canva_create_2026 #crazy_rich_asians #paramount_skydance
