Broadway’s ‘Wicked’ Star Doesn’t Want Ariana Grande to Play the Witch
Ariana Grande has a history of working on Broadway, however, one Broadway star doesn’t want her to star in the film version of Wicked. This star has a specific reason why she thinks a different actor would be better in the role. Interestingly, the star in question recorded a song with Grande.
What the composer behind ‘Wicked’ thinks of casting Ariana Grande in the film version of the musical
Firstly, a little background. Part of the reason why there’s been buzz about Grande possibly starring in the film adaptation of Wicked is because of Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz is the composer behind Wicked as well as animated movies like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Pocahontas, and The Prince of Egypt. He told Gay Times about his feelings toward Grande.
“Well I’m a massive Ariana Grande fan,” he revealed. “Who isn’t?!” He added “We’d be fools for her not to be being seriously considered.”
He added Grande still probably won’t get the role in the near future. “The Wicked movie is not quite far enough along yet for us to really be talking about specific casting, but obviously everyone is very aware of the presence in the world of Ariana Grande and her extraordinary talent,” Schwartz added. However, Schwartz said he won’t be making any decisions on this issue. “Ultimately it won’t be my decision, Stephen Daldry is our director and he will have a lot to say about the casting, as will Universal and the studio. But, as I say, let’s just say that all of us are very aware of Ariana Grande.” According to Deadline, Daldry left the project, so he’d have no influence on the casting.
Who the original star of ‘Wicked’ wants to play the Wicked Witch of the West in the film
Idina Menzel became famous for playing Maureen in the Broadway musical Rent. Afterward, she starred as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in Wicked. She’s also had roles in Glee, the film version of Rent, and Disney’s Enchanted. She became an animation icon for playing Queen Elsa in Frozen and Frozen II.
She’s also worked with Grande. Menzel and Grande collaborated on “A Hand for Mrs. Claus,” a song from Mendel’s Christmas album Christmas: A Season of Love. Despite working with Grande on the track, Cinema Blend reports Menzel thinks someone else should play Elphaba in the film.
“I still think that I should be Elphaba and I should just throw, slap that green makeup on me and get some CGI and Benjamin Button the sh*t out of that,” Menzel said. “I mean I love you, Ariana, but I still am relevant here.” For context, Menzel appeared to be referring to The Curios Case of Benjamin Button, a film where Brad Pitt was aged up and down through the magic of CGI. Menzel loves Grande — but she would prefer to play the role she originated one more time.
