Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been confirmed as the leads of Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked. The film is Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Wicked. The hit Broadway musical was adapted from a novel that tells the Witches' story of The Wizard of Oz. The 1939 film is based on L Frank Baum’s 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. People say Hollywood doesn't have any new ideas.
Grande will portray Galinda (aka Glinda the Evil Witch), the role that was first played by Kristin Chenoweth at Broadway. Erivo will play Elphaba, the future green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West and will thus be performing the iconic Act One closing number, "Defying Gravity".
The news was shared by the stars in matching Instagram posts. It looked like they were having a very sweet and emotional FaceTime call with Chu.
Grande was long favored for the role. Stephen Schwartz, the musical's composer/lyricist, told Gay Times that Grande was running and that he was a huge fan. Grande performed live at the 15th anniversary celebrations and added her version of Elphaba’s "The Wizard and I” to the special edition cast album.
Idina Menzel, the actress who played Elphaba during the original run of the film, joked (we think?). Variety reported in 2019 that she should be digitally aged to keep the role.
The story starts while the witches have just graduated college. Erivo, at 34, is a stunning young man and definitely younger than Menzel's 50. However, Dear Evan Hansen might still be in danger.
Director Jon M. Chu brought us the triumphant film adaptation of In The Heights, so his Broadway-to-Hollywood credentials are solid.
Erivo is a mere O short of an EGOT and missed out on her Harriet nominations for 2019. The power of "Defying Gravity," perhaps could be enough to win the Academy over for the British-born star.
