Universal's WICKED Films - News & Discussion Thread- Page 9

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 5:07am

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.

[Owen22]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 5:22am

binau said: "I am so happy for Cynthia’s involvement. Regardless of her personality or age she will absolutely deliver on the vocals and that is what I will be listening to to the die I die regardless of what happens in and to the movie. Talent is talent. "

Thank you! This whole discussion about how "difficult" Cynthia is reminds me of the whole antisemitic-based complaints about Barbra Streisand early in her career!

We LOVE a talented non-WASP,--that is until it appears they aren't wholly appreciative of how we have let such a person into our hearts! How dare they not know their place???!!

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 5:33am

After sleeping on it, if they can convince Ariana to sing like she’s in a musical and not what she did in Hairspray it could be okay.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 6:51am

Owen22 said: "binau said: "I am so happy for Cynthia’s involvement. Regardless of her personality or age she will absolutely deliver on the vocals and that is what I will be listening to to the die I die regardless of what happens in and to the movie. Talent is talent. "

Thank you! This whole discussion about how "difficult" Cynthia is reminds me of the whole antisemitic-based complaints about Barbra Streisand early in her career!

We LOVE a talented non-WASP,--that is until it appears they aren't wholly appreciative of how we have let such a person into our hearts! How dare they not know their place???!!"

First off, Cynthia can never be considered a WASP. Furthermore, I have read tons of comments on here about her in various degrees. The reason people don’t like her is she has a reputation of being hard to work with. Nobody has ever brought race or ethnic background into it. Hell, Lea Michelle is also one that many people find to be too hard to work with. There’s even been stories on social media of other actors who worked with her filled with negative experiences. No one, regardless of an actor posting their personal experiences with her on social media or posters on this forum, has ever brought into account the fact that she is Jewish as a reason for not liking her. It boggles my mind to figure out why you decided to bring ethnic background into a discussion that had never included it before.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 7:04am

Just because something isn't explicitly stated doesn't mean it isn't an implicit influence on what is transpiring.

I don't know whether or not that is part of what's happening with Erivo (or others).

But let's not pretend that just because race isn't overtly expressed that all criticism of her automatically is innocent of any bias.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 7:37am

Just learned that both women went thru an extensive workshop process prior to being cast so they weren’t just offered the roles, which validates Ariana mentioning she’s been taking acting classes. She will most definitely not have carte blanche to sing as she would in her pop style so she will be learning the score as written. Can we expect pop versions of the songs from her? Absolutely. Just not in the actual film. I trust the producers and creative team behind this. Both ladies will deliver the goods as they will be guided along the way. This is to be the film adaptation of WICKED, not Grande & Enrivo WICKED World Tour 2022 singing the songs in their own branded singing styles.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 7:45am

JasonC3 said: "Just because something isn't explicitly stated doesn't mean it isn't an implicit influence on what is transpiring.

I don't know whether or not that is part of what's happening with Erivo (or others).

But let's not pretend that just because race isn't overtly expressed that all criticism of her automatically is innocent of any bias."

ANd while I hear what you are saying (and don't disagree), isn't it just as problematic to suggest there IS inherent racism without any proof? 

[adotburr]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 7:57am

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.

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 07:57 AM

[Ke3]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 8:16am

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.

[BJR]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 8:27am

We LOVE a talented non-WASP,--that is until it appears they aren't wholly appreciative of how we have let such a person into our hearts! How dare they not know their place???!!"

Exactly this. She's outspoken. Lots of people are.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 9:06am

Cynthia is a perfect choice. Elphaba is an activist and so is Cynthia. She will sing the hell out of the score and deliver. Activists have sensitive hearts. Cynthia will be phenomenal.

Ari will be fantastic too. She in a way is Glinda. She acts very prissy in her pop star persona, but she is very deep emotionally and has lived through some significant traumas. She can be quiet and introspective. She will bring all of that to the role. And her singing can easily be slowed down. She sings all styles.

I’m one of the few who though Chu made In The Heights a bloated mess. He overthought the assignment. I hope he doesn’t ruin this film.

Anyone think Jackman might be the Wizard? I think it’s a real possibility.

I’d love Isaac Powell as Fiyero and Gaten Matarazzo as Boq.

If Morrible goes to Streep I’ll be so irritated. Give someone else a shot. Audra would be great, Allison Janney, Bette Midler, Tracey Ullman, Jennifer Saunders, or Imelda Staunton would all be wonderful options too. Watch them give it to Kidman.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 9:10am

Bettyboy72 said: "Anyone think Jackman might be the Wizard? I think it’s a real possibility."

With filming currently expected to begin in June, Hugh Jackman won't be available because he'll be on Broadway in The Music Man.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 9:18am

Bettyboy72 said: "If Morrible goes to Streep I’ll be so irritated. Give someone else a shot. Audra would be great, Allison Janney, Bette Midler, Tracey Ullman, Jennifer Saunders, or Imelda Staunton would all be wonderful options too. Watch them give it to Kidman."

I did a blog post a few months ago where I suggested Glenn Close, Angela Lansbury, Shirley MacLaine, and Emma Thompson for the role.

Who Should Play Madame Morrible in the WICKED Film?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 9:35am

The Wizard in WICKED isn’t a heavy role so Jackman can easily rehearse the role and his material in NYC then fly to London to film his sections in a few days. He does not need to be involved with the full shooting schedule. Zendaya appears in the new film adaptation of DUNE and she only worked on the film for 5 days. He can even film all his scenes in 1 shooting day if everything is organized properly. As someone who works in film production, I’ve seen this done often due to an actor’s schedule. It can be an 18 hour working day, but all their scenes were shot in one day.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 9:45am

I think Emma Thompson would be a brilliant Morrible.

[Seb28]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:03am

Valentina3 said: " Love the Patinkin Dillamond idea. "

I don't think that would enhance the atmosphere on set, considering what happened at The Great Comet of 1812 and Erivo's campaign that brought the whole show down.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:03am

Jordan Catalano said: "I think Emma Thompson would be a brilliant Morrible. "
 

No question. I’d really like to see someone with less recent traction get the role though. It would be nice to see Bette back in the big screen or even someone less well known get a chance (Saunders). 

 

[Defying_Reality]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:18am

Seb28 said: "Very disappointing. Glinda is supposed to be a completely different type and requires an excellent actress. And a singer whose strong point is articulation. For Elphaba I would have loved to see someone humble and grounded. I am surprised that someone with such attitude problems is able to get a role like this. I haven't forgotten about the misplaced tantrums to fans, the Comet of 1812 debacle and her very out of line twitter posts. Elphaba should have more layers and also requires a stronger actress, not just someone who revels in the victim role. I have never seen her play other characteristics in a strong or believable way, and the essence of the role of Elphaba is the opposite of that. Also, I think she has a beautiful voice in softer, lighter parts, but her voice-type is wrong for the score of Elphaba. Elphaba requires all the long, loud, straight notes (Wizard and I, No good deed, Defying Gravity), and Erivo always goes to her head voice, cuts notes short or riffs them down or breaks them off. In a way they are both too poppy/soul for this material. Not expecting much of the singing and acting here. Don't have much sympathy for these personalities in these characters either. Not a good start."

Nailed it.

[Javert_Lovert]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:21am

Yes to Allison Janney!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:53am

I'm also still salty with Cynthia Erivo over The Great Comet, plus I think that she doesn't read as the same age as Ariana Grande (which for this particular show is very important). 

With Ariana Grande, I don't think that she is capable of singing musical theatre style anymore. If you listen to her "Still Hurting," where I presume she tried to sound like a musical theatre singer, she still sounds breathy and poppish, and the diction is still very poor.  I also worry that she isn't trained as a legit soprano and that she will approach the high notes more poppishly--meaning, that she will slide and the notes will be thinner. 

[Quinn Wilson]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:13am

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. 

[Tag]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:14am

Grande can easily pull off Act 1 Galinda, no problem.  But she can not become the Act 2 refined and mature Glinda.  Let her Razzie await!

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:20am

Ari’s audition video

 

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:25am

FosseTharp said: "Ari’s audition video”

That’s not the Ariana that auditioned.  She was put thru a workshop to see if she can fit the score and the material.  Her pop music work wasn’t in the criteria.  Both Erivo and Ariana were submitted to workshops as were the other actresses being considered.  

Updated On: 11/5/21 at 11:25 AM

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 11:28am

Quinn Wilson said: "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."

Alexia Khadime