Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande Will Star In The “Wicked” Movie
Last night Lea Michele was trending on Twitter so I knew instantly that she had lost another role to someone. She doesn’t trend unless she is shitting in a wig or losing roles. I soon found that 34-year-old Cynthia Erivo and 28-year-old Ariana Grande have been cast in the movie version of the Broadway musical hit Wicked, which Jon M. Chu will direct. And while everyone is plugging their ears in anticipation of Lea Michele scream-crying about losing out on another dream role, somebody should check on Dove Cameron too.
Variety says that a movie version of the Tony-winning musical Wicked has been in the works for a while and Stephen Daldry (director of Billy Elliot and The Hours) was supposed to direct before Jon M. Chu (director of In The Heights and Crazy Rich Asians) took the job:
The “Wicked” film adaptation has been a long time coming, and was most recently stalled by Stephen Daldry’s departure as director last October due to scheduling conflicts. Stephen Schwartz, who penned the music and lyrics to the Broadway show, is adapting the screenplay with Winnie Holzman. Marc Platt, who produced the Broadway musical, is set to also produce the film.
Over the years, there have been many casting rumors, like Anna Kendrick and Amanda Seyfried getting the leads. But it’s now official that Cynthia will play the green Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba; and Ariana will be bubbly and blonde and likely ponytailed as Glinda. The roles were originated on Broadway by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Production is set to begin next Summer in the UK.
Wicked is the story of what happens in Oz before Dorothy’s drunk ass crashes her house there; explaining why the witch is so “Wicked” (get it). Cynthia has a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony, so all she needs is an Oscar and she’ll be a full EGOT-er. And Ariana has been a part of Wicked in the past, singing The Wizard And I back in 2018 as part of Wicked’s 15th-anniversary special:
Ariana and Cynthia both posted about their new roles on Instagram. They also sent each other flowers as congratulations.
This is a big win for Ari who a decade ago tweeted about how Glinda was a “dream role.”
Ariana Grande said in a 2011 tweet that Glinda from #Wicked was her dream role. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/07oaTRpTK5
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 5, 2021
More proof that Twitter manifestation works! It worked for Olivia Munn and now it’s worked for Ariana!
It’s good that Ariana and Cynthia have already greeted each other and started building their relationship as co-workers. Mostly because then when Lea Michele inevitably breaks onto the set, ties Cynthia up in a broom closet, and then paints herself green and hides her face under her wig before going out to film, Ariana will immediately notice.
Pic: MEGA/WENN/Avalon