Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread — Page 10

I'm not surprised about Ariana but was surprised about Cynthia. I think both will handle the material just fine. My biggest concern is the onscreen chemistry as they don't come across as being close in age.

I'm also hoping that they cast some lesser known Broadway talent for some of the other roles.

Quinn Wilson said: "Ke3 said: "I'm surprised that so many people are surprised by Ariana's casting. I thought it was pretty well known she and Dove Cameron have both been circling this role for the past 3/4 years. I always figured it'd go to Ari since, well, international pop star. It's like Beyoncé in Dreamgirls. While I'm sure a better actress auditioned, a star is a star. Now I don't think Wicked really needs stars to sell, but when has that ever stopped a producer from casting one.

On top of feeling she's more right for Glinda, I knew she wouldn't be Elphaba either because they were always going to cast a Black actress in that role. Hollywood never misses an opportunity to be extremely literal and cast a Black person as the oppressed character in a race allegory."

Of course Hollywood should cast a BIPOC actress to play Elphaba. A white actress can play the role obviously, but given that there hasn’t been a black principal Elphaba in any production, and as you said it is a race allegory, it makes complete sense to cast a black actress. I don’t understand your frustration with that."



It's wouldn't say it's a frustration. I'm happy to see a Black actress working. It's just so easy as a Black person to predict these things. I wasn't in the room obviously but I'd bet my left shoe that a Black woman was never given serious consideration for the role of Glinda. Hell Cynthia is a trained legit soprano, but I'm sure they only asked her to come in for the Elphaba auditions.



Also the fact that there's never been a Black actress who played Elphaba full time is part of what makes me roll my eyes at things like this. I can already hear the press tour narrative about how "Wicked has always been about being different and blah blah blah", and praising themselves for being diverse. Meanwhile we have 17 years worth of history that shows they've never cared about casting a Black woman before. But hell I'm also a hypocrite for bringing any of this up since as an Ariana fan I'll be there opening weekend. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Here's the deadline announcement from yesterday. I'm just posting so you can see the comments at the end...for what they're worth.

https://deadline.com/2021/11/ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-to-star-in-universals-musical-wicked-1234868595/#comments

Here are my thoughts:

Ariana - I do think she has the potential to vocally excell in the part. I really hope she will consider taking some vocal lessons (which I assume she will) and use her musical theatre as an anchor when approaching this role. My fear is that she will default to her pop “technique” which we be totally inappropriate for this role. I have yet to see her in a role that proves she is a good actress, but I believe with the right person coaching her, she could turn in a solid performance. Is Chu the right person for that? Not sure.

Cynthia - She will nail the score. I have not cared for any of her film/TV performances. I truly hope she is able to deliver a stellar performance because this role will be a career-defining moment for her - either positively or negatively.

I would have never guessed that these two would be paired together in these roles. Each one makes sense to certain degree separately, but I question what their chemistry will be like. The chemistry between the two witches is such an integral part. The chemistry between Idina and Kristin elevated the mediocre book of the musical to be a blockbuster hit. While I don’t hate the casting choices for the film, I am hesitant to be excited about them.

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 12:49 PM

I do think Ariana sounds very Broadway-ey (for lack of a better term) here:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7TarriXFME

binau said: "I guess I say it for everything but I’d love to see Bernadette Peters as morrible. Her voice would sound so nice in the opening lines of ‘Wizard and I’. Youllll be makinggg gooooooooooood."

Yes, PLEASE. Bernadette or Patti. Though I have a feeling it could be Idina or Kristin, with the other as Elphaba's mom in the flashbacks.

hearthemsing22 said: "*sigh*. I’m really disappointed that people are judging this casting when they haven’t even gone into rehearsals yet? When the only thing that we know is casting and no one on this board even works on the movie, so how can anyone know how these ladies will do in the roles? Be positive. Have some faith. Give them a goddamn chance.

Also, let it go about Dove Cameron. It’s not like there aren’t productions all over the world, and what if she went to one of those? The West End, tour, Broadway…also did she even want the role or was it just fan dream casting? Just saying. Give them a chance."

It is normal and acceptable for human beings to form opinions about people, places and things based on their previous experiences with them. Message boards are places for people to exchange opinions and ideas. Your attempt to chastise and silence people for doing exactly what they’re meant to do here is inappropriate and unappreciated.

Mike Barrett said: "Elphaba is a more conservative/quiet and reserved person in act 1, Cynthia will play into that well possibly then burst at DG.

The age thing is a concern, but with the green, and any CGI possibly used, then I’d say Cynthia is inspired casting.

Anthony Ramos for Fiyero please."

Looks like Jesse Tyler Ferguson has been enjoying this thread.
https://twitter.com/jessetyler/status/1456725541810151425

*updated to hyperlink the URL

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 05:43 PM

adotburr said: "I’m going to be honest here and say I’m not familiar with any of their work, both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. I’ve seen bits and pieces but that’s it. I can’t comment on if they fit the casting or anything but I’m generally curious to see what they bring to the film and how they do."

https://twitter.com/jessetyler/status/1456724733140025349

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 05:49 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kristin Chenoweth as a contender for Morrible. She would be perfect, and I would love to see Idina as Elphaba's mom in the flashbacks!