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

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???!!

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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