Jon M. Chu

Artist, Blogger, Designer, Entrepreneur, Filmmaker, Idea generator, Producer, Startup, Web guru, Writer/Editor

Jon M. Chu is known for his visually stunning blockbuster films, as well as his kinetic work across various genres from groundbreaking digital series to commercials and feature films. Most recently, Chu directed the worldwide phenomenon, “Crazy Rich Asians,” which has earned over $175+ million dollars in the United States alone. The film is the first non-period, studio picture in over 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast and represents a new chapter in Chu’s 10 year career. Chu’s previous credits include “Now You See Me 2”, “GI. Joe: Retaliation”, “Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never” and many more representing over 1.3 billion dollars in the wordwide box office. Additionally, his unique storytelling ability has earned him the honor of being on the Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 list this year as well as Variety’s New Hollywood Leaders. In the commerical/digital/musci video space he broke new ground by creating the Legion of Extraordianry Dancers (The LXD) and broke records with directing videos for Justin Bieber and the unforgettable Virgin America Safety Video. In the summer of 2019, Chu will helm his most ambitious project to date: the highly anticipated adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical “In the Heights” for Warner Bros. Studios. As the youngest of five children from Palo Alto, California, Chu continues to use the influences of his childhood (family, technology, food, music and movement) to tell personal stories that connect with audiences from around the world.

Making up stories

You are what you do everyday.

Dance, Film Director, Filmmaking, Graphic Design, Live Performance, Music, Social Media, technology, Television Producer

My first TED experience was with the dance company I created called the LEGION OF EXTRAORDINARY DANCERS or the LXD. It was a magical, emotional moment when the audience in Long Beach gave us an extremely long standing ovation. I'll never forget it. I never thought I'd be on that stage again so it is a huge honor to be back speaking about a completely different idea. My movies and how I learned to weaponize them.

Not memorizing speeches