Toronto-based director Justin Wu is clear about the kinds of stories he wants to tell: ones that are hopeful, grounded, and unafraid to care.
With the late November release of Sidelined 2: Intercepted, he builds on his film debut, drawing further inspiration from classic rom-coms and a belief that the genre can still be optimistic without being naïve.
Born and raised in Scarborough, Wu says becoming a director was always the plan. Before stepping fully into filmmaking, he worked behind the lens across photography, music videos, commercials, short films, and television – each project part of the journey that led him to the Sidelined franchise, adapted from Tay Marley’s Wattpad original Sidelined: The QB and Me.
“It’s uplifting,” Wu tells Now Toronto. “I love rom-coms and coming-of-age stories… It tells a very powerful story about resilience and chasing one’s dreams.”
The films lean into a classic small town high school dynamic: the cheerleader and the bad-boy jock, as dancer Dallas Bryan (Siena Agudong) and football prodigy Drayton Lahey (Noah Beck) navigate ambition, attraction, and unexpected chemistry. Their love story continues in the sequel, where the transition to college tests their relationship through distance, growth, and the question of who they’re each becoming.
Inspired by foundational romance films like 10 Things I Hate About You, When Harry Met Sally, and Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, Wu said the storyline drew him in because he wanted to portray a realistic story audiences could see themselves in.
“I really wanted a film that people can feel like they’re being wrapped around in a blanket,” he said. “These characters are very grounded – real people who have big dreams but are also conflicted with what they want in life. I think these questions are what we ask ourselves all the time. What are our dreams? What do we really want to chase, and what are our priorities?”
With an unexpected ending that has left many fans reeling online, speculation is already swirling about a potential third installment in the franchise – some have even dubbed it Sidelined 3: Touchdown. Wu remains tight-lipped but optimistic. He notes that there wasn’t a second book to adapt for the sequel, so a third movie doesn’t yet have a blueprint, making it very much a wait-and-see situation.
“If we’re privileged enough, we’d be happy to continue that story,” he said. “I’m reading all the fan theories and hoping we get a chance to do it.”
Before Sidelined, Wu honed his directing skills on the Toronto-based, award-winning television series Kim’s Convenience, which follows a Korean-Canadian family running a Moss Park convenience store as they navigate customers, each other, and the evolving world around them.
Becoming the youngest director to work on the series, Wu described it as a “dream come true,” saying it was an opportunity not only to work closely with a relatable story but also to shine a global spotlight on his hometown.
“It was a show that meant a lot to me and my family because we would watch it together,” he said. “It was one where I could actually have conversations with my parents as an immigrant Chinese family. I could not be more fulfilled to be able to shine a light on Toronto to the world.”
Looking ahead, Wu is eager to explore a wider range of genres beyond romantic comedies, which he describes as a “stepping stone.” He likens himself to Sidelined character Dallas, hoping to be fearless and pursue whatever wild opportunities come his way.
“I want to have the opportunity to try different things. Maybe an action film. Maybe a period piece… I’d love to do more adult romance, political thrillers, sci-fi. I’m really open to anything,” he said.
Now that Sidelined 2 is out in the world and streaming on Tubi, Wu says he hopes it leaves a lasting impression on young audiences.
“I would hope to instill a sense of confidence – confidence to believe in yourself, to not be swayed by love or by opportunity, but to make the right choice for you,” he said.