The musical Wicked is nearly twenty years old—the book is twenty-six—and, finally, it is coming to the big screen. Jon M. Chu continues to not make the Crazy Rich Asians sequel will direct Wicked, following up his previous song and dance efforts Step Up 2 & 3, Jem and the Holograms, and In The Heights. Last night, Chu announced on Instagram that Ariana Grande will play Galinda and Cynthia Erivo will be Elphaba. I 100% understand this casting and yet I still wish it was Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel reprising their Broadway roles. They’ve aged out of playing college students, which is what Galinda and Elphaba more or less are, and Dear Evan Hansen recently warned us that what works on stage doesn’t necessarily translate to film. Although, I don’t know if I can buy Cynthia Erivo as a college-age-ish character, either. (Ariana Grande, yes, she’s a Forever Child.) I wonder if they’re going to downplay the school element of Wicked?
Is Wicked a musical I like? No! Of course not! I also think the book is overrated! I just love Kristin Chenoweth to bits. Have you seen her in Pushing Daisies or Trial and Error (clips for this show are limited, which is disappointing because it’s freaking hilarious)? She’s a national treasure! She’s one of those actors who turns up and makes everything better. If there was ever to be a Dolly Parton biopic, Chenoweth is one of the only people I think worthy to play Dolly. There is no higher compliment.
