Wicked director wanted to cast “no-name” actors, settled for Ariana Grande

As a seasoned movie buff with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming release of Universal’s Wicked has me both excited and intrigued. Having witnessed the rise and fall of many a celebrity-filled musical extravaganza, I can’t help but be cautiously optimistic about this one.

This month, Universal will bring the stage hit musical “Wicked” to the big screen. Beloved by audiences for years on Broadway, this adaptation marks its debut as a movie. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Galinda and Elphaba respectively, these characters are destined to become the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz”. If you need proof of Erivo’s talent as an actor and singer, look no further than her numerous YouTube concerts. And with Ariana Grande, it’s unlikely you’re unfamiliar – she’s a global pop sensation!

As someone who admires the star power of the cast for the upcoming “Wicked” movie, it’s intriguing to learn that director Jon M. Chu initially aimed to cast unknown actors for these iconic roles. In his own words, he shared with SFX Magazine, “I wanted to start with a blank canvas for ‘Wicked.’ The story is already so well-known, so I thought it would be exciting to find two fresh faces.” Essentially, he was eager to discover “no-namers” to breathe new life into these beloved characters.

As a cinephile, I couldn’t help but notice the star-studded cast of this upcoming film – even the ‘no-namers’ took a back seat when heavyweights like Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang stepped in. But here’s the twist: after we opened up auditions to everyone, we were flooded with calls from top-notch actresses eager to try their luck. They all impressed us immensely, but there were two standouts who seemed destined for these roles, perfectly fitting for this movie at this exact moment in time.

Ariana Grande understands why some fans wouldn’t want her in Wicked

To put it simply, it seems as though Universal may have applied pressure on Chu to cast famous celebrities for the film, threatening to find someone else if he didn’t. While I believe the casting is generally excellent, there has been a trend in Hollywood where directors cast high-profile actors in musicals, even if they lack singing abilities, which can lead to less than stellar outcomes. For instance, I recall being disappointed by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter’s subpar singing performances in the 2007 adaptation of Sweeney Todd, a musical I adore. Similarly, Russell Crowe struggled with the song “Stars” in the 2012 film version of Les Misérables.

In Wicked, such a scenario isn’t likely due to the exceptional singing abilities and high profiles of both Grande and Erivo. If you aim to feature celebrities in musicals, here’s an example of how to proceed successfully.

It seems that some fans had reservations about Ariana Grande playing such an iconic role. In a conversation on the “Sentimental Men” podcast, she empathized with her critics, stating: “Given my perspective from ‘Side to Side,’ I might have felt the same way. I probably would have exclaimed, ‘Why in the world? Murder me. I’ve waited 20 years for this. Murder me.’ As a fan looking in from the outside with only ‘7 Rings,’ I might say, ‘That’s nonsense.’ So, indeed, I understand their perspective.

Today’s pop music often lacks the grandeur and expansiveness that some might appreciate, so it’s understandable if you feel this way. However, Ariana Grande possesses the talent to play a role like Galinda; simply listen to her sing songs from Disney’s Hercules if you question her theater background or royal charm. I believe her delicate demeanor aligns quite well with Galinda’s prim and polished character as well.

Notably, Grande, like all others, had to go through an audition process for the role. She expressed her fondness for this aspect of auditioning for “Wicked”, stating, “It must be earned.” Any project of such magnitude, being a part of something significant, isn’t simply handed out due to familiarity. Therefore, it’s enjoyable to take up the challenge of altering people’s perceptions and putting in the effort to prove your worth for other opportunities.

It seems to me that Grande is likely to excel in her role. I must admit, I’m not entirely convinced by the idea of Chu and his team dividing the story into two films, but we’ll have a clearer picture when the first part of “Wicked” premieres on November 22. Let’s wait and see!

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2024-11-04 21:41