Now that there's has been a new release date announced for "Wicked", what are people's thoughts about Lady Gaga playing Elphaba. I think that with her theatrical studies and vocal range that she would be the ideal person to portray her. I know that people think that Ariana Grande would be ideal, but I feel that she's too young and her acting would not be ideal. Plus Gaga would be a HUGE box office draw...
Updated On: 2/11/19 at 03:39 PM
Cool idea, but doubt it will happen.
I hope they will follow Hairspray, Dreamgirls and the upcoming West Side Story’s leads and cast unknowns in the lead roles. I doubt that will happen either.
Lady Gaga would be perfect for the role but it won’t happen. I really hope it’s not Grande. Lady Gaga is probably the only star casting I’d get on board with and really hope I’m wrong and it does happen.
Reading your headline I thought this was happening. Might help if you add a question mark.
Curious why so many think this won't happen. I know the team is open at looking at new faces, but frankly, I think she would be ideal casting and it would be a win-win situation for both sides. After A STAR IS BORN, Gaga would be wise to pick a follow up role that continues to show her growing range as an actress but that isn't such a stretch that audiences question it. I mean the last thing she should do next is play Sarah Bernhardt. Elphaba seems pretty perfect if you ask me. She could even be nominated for a second Oscar for it. So why wouldn't she take the part?
I'm not a big Gaga fan and I don't like Wicked, so this seems like a perfect match to me. Easier than avoiding two movies.
Stand-by Joined: 9/27/18
Since the release date is almost 3 years in the future, it seems like the producers may be seeking major star talent instead of unknowns.
If Gaga immediately follows A Star Is Born with another musical, she risks being labelled as "just" a musical actress. It's hard to pivot away from that –– especially, frankly, for women in Hollywood. Cher and Frank Sinatra had similar problems, and even Julie Andrews had a hard time breaking through beyond singing roles. Hugh Jackman waited 10+ years to do a movie-musical (Les Mis), and then Greatest Showman was 5 years after that.
Not that Gaga wouldn't be great –– she'd be sensational –– but it just doesn't feel like the right career-move for someone who could do virtually any project she wants. Gaga's smartest move would be an indie or mid-budget film where she doesn't sing a note, to really cement herself as an actress.
Why do people think the Gaga has acting training, She spent a little time at college and left. I find her acting flat and kinda bizarre. Not that that has stopped others from starring in movies, like MADonna.
How about Madge as Madame Morrible???
I'm not sure Gaga could do any project she wants (film wise). I think most people in Hollywood realize that her performance in A STAR IS BORN was a brilliant molding of a singer basically playing herself on film in a performance carefully molded and guided by a good director. But no one is going to, based on that, cast her as, say Saint Joan. She is still an emerging actress.
I agree her next project perhaps ideally should be something small - maybe an indie ensemble dramedy. But WICKED is three years away. No reason why she couldn't do both.
CurtainPullDowner said: "Why do people think the Gaga has acting training, She spent a little time at college and left. I find her acting flat and kinda bizarre."
Sort of two unrelated thoughts, though, as a lot of untrained actors are completely magnetic on screen.
Maybe I was exaggerating with "any project," but she surely has numerous offers on the table. ASIB was kind of a raw performance from a newcomer, and I'll be interested to see what a really strong "actor's director" could get out of her. The "she's just playing a version of herself" narrative is further proof why she needs to be careful with her next gig. It will also be interesting to see what kind of Box Office power she has in a non-singing part.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/26/19
I'd pay good money to not see this (or Ariana Grande, for that matter). Also, can Gaga really pull a 18-year-ish look? Doubt so
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
Call_me_jorge said: "Cool idea, but doubt it will happen.
I hope they will follow Hairspray, Dreamgirls and the upcoming West Side Story’s leads and cast unknowns in the lead roles. I doubt that will happen either."
What "unknown" was a lead in Dreamgirls?
Fosse76 said: "What "unknown" was a lead in Dreamgirls?"
I'm guessing Jennifer Hudson, since she was only on American Idol and never acted before?
Jennifer Hudson was definitely still an unknown at the time dreamgirls came out.
Chorus Member Joined: 10/2/18
This is too funny.
Ariana Grande is an amazing singer and actress
haterobics said: "I'm not a big Gaga fan and I don't like Wicked, so this seems like a perfect match to me. Easier than avoiding two movies."
Is it particularly difficult for you to avoid movies? o.O I find it a challenge to get off my butt to actually go see movies lol
Stand-by Joined: 11/25/18
SomethingPeculiar said: "The "she's just playing a version of herself" narrative is further proof why she needs to be careful with her next gig.It will also be interesting to see what kind of Box Office power she has in a non-singing part."
You're driving a good point here. Does anyone remember her promotional run for "Born This Way"? Gaga's main talking point was being an outcast, bullied, overcoming adversity, etc. This has Elphaba written all over it. I wouldn't be surprised if she avoids yet another musical film with parallels to her life.
With that said, Demi Lovato would have been an inspired choice but she might be difficult to clear for insurance. Not sure if she has the acting chops but Jessie J would be sensational.
Understudy Joined: 12/14/15
Would much rather have Tori Kelly, Demi Lovato, or even Danna Paola (who played elphie in the Mexican production of Wicked).
Featured Actor Joined: 11/28/18
I’m open-minded, but not do open minded that I’d think this would work. Why can’t they cast an unknown? I think the only name from having done the show before that I’d put my support behind would be Rachel Tucker.
Understudy Joined: 10/19/17
JoshTodos said: "This is too funny.
Ariana Grande is an amazing singer and actress"
i’m waiting for her to fix that diction and breath support, personally, then maybe
Valentina3 said: "Is it particularly difficult for you to avoid movies? o.O I find it a challenge to get off my butt to actually go see movies lol"
I actually see one or two movies a week in a theater. And especially if the movies aren't rotating quickly, you can hit a point sometimes where it's like, oh well, I guess I'll go see this one.
I wonder if the originals will be placed in the film somewhere. Kristin as Madame Morrible?
JoshTodos said: "This is too funny.
Ariana Grande is an amazing singer and actress"
So you skipped Hairspray, then?
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