Musical lovers have finally gotten the long rumored news they've impatiently waited for: Wicked is officially a go! The film will be directed by Stephen Daldry and open on December 20, 2019 - a likely guaranteed holiday hit like Into the Woods and Les Miserables.
While that is still awhile to wait for the big screen adaptation, this announcement comes after more than a decade of crumbs and non-starting rumors for the fanbase. The hope for original stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth has long gone out the window, so casting is the next phase to obsess over. While Universal likes to keep their musicals star loaded (think Les Mis and Mamma Mia), my suspicion is that some expected names won't be in the running... sorry, Lea Michele.
Which is all the better for the green leading lady. Daldry has a gift for finding new talent, so why not give us a new talent to make Elphaba's sense of discovery all the more meaningful. Maybe if it's not a completely fresh face this could be where a Broadway star shows up. Also how many times can we hear "Defying Gravity" before those notes aren't as emotionally transporting? Give us someone who can take us to unexpected emotional and musical heights! Recent Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, for example - her Tony's solo should be all the proof you need (starts at 2:48).
For Glinda, I have a bolder recommendation...
Now, before you sideye, consider her surprisingly on point goofiness during her SNL stint. Grande has the glamour to sell Glinda's vanity while still being a charming physical comedian. The question mark would be Act 2's more challenging emotional arc but her soulful vocals could do the heavy lifting. Sure she's nothing like Chenoweth (or replacements like Megan Hilty), but with a musical as ubitiquitous as this we are going to need some surprises and new takes. She would also be age appropriate and why not have a popstar play Miss "Popular" herself?
Forget I just mentioned age appropriateness and remember that this is a world in which Billy Magnussen:
- Exists
- Can sing
- Hasn't played a romantic lead in a film yet
Doesn't that a Fiyero make? Just look at that gif, nod and agree.
Madame Morrible isn't an exciting part, but Carol Kane has already played her on Broadway and any chance for us to have more of her is excitement enough. Ben Platt already fangirled out for Meryl in Ricki and the Flash, so why not fangirl out for Elphie too as Boq - Universal probably wants some Pitch Perfect blood in there, too. Doctor Dillamond is easy to imagine becoming a motion capture character, so let's go the safe route and guess Andy Serkis.
So what about the Wizard? The part isn't vocally demanding, so that frees up plenty of older famous actors that will be a suitable fit. You can imagine they will go after a big name to reflect Elphaba's awe for him in the audience, but he also has the unimposing man behind the curtain. I'd go for returning Daldry veteran Tom Hanks.
Who would you like to see cast in Wicked?