Long beforeWickedcame to life on the big screen, director Jon M. Chu had an idea for casting the movie, which was well-intended, but also would have caused issues for the hit movie musical. Released at the end of 2024,Wickedis the first of two movie adaptationsof the famous Broadway musical of the same name, and novel by Gregory Maguire. ConsideringWicked’sreputation prior to the movie,it is no surprise that 2024’sWickedbecame an immediate hit.However, a few elements of the film definitely pushed it from general fame to super stardom.
One aspect ofWickedthat was vital to its success was its cast.Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande killed their roles as Elphaba and Glinda, and were aided by amazing supporting cast members such as Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. The importance of Elphaba and Glinda’s casting was likely obvious long beforeWicked’sdevelopment. The women are not only the movie’s protagonists, but also have expectations to meet due to previous on-stage portrayals and their appearances inThe Wizard of Oz.Overall,Elphaba and Glinda are the heart ofWicked,which makes this Chu decision even more surprising.
Wicked’s Director Jon M. Chu Originally Wanted To Cast Unknowns For Elphaba & Glinda
The Benefits Of Casting Unknowns In Wicked
According to the Making Wicked featurette, which appears on the home video version ofWicked,Chu had the idea early on that he would cast unknowns in the roles of Elphaba and Glinda. Chu said, “If you had asked me early, I said we want to find unknowns.” What he means by this is that he hoped to cast actors who were not yet famous in the biggest roles. Though somewhat unconventional, this concept isn’t completely out of pocket. Casting unknown actors in major projects is a trend that can be useful in making a movie even more successful.
15 Best Movies Like Wicked On Streaming
There are several excellent movies that share similarities with Wicked, and they are available to watch on various streaming platforms.
AlthoughChu clearly did not follow through with this idea, it definitely would have been an interesting move. In general, the benefit of casting unknowns in blockbuster franchises is that it allows the project to stand on its own. Audiences have no preconceived notions of who the actors are, and instead, are able to fully believe that the actor is the character they’re playing. One popular example is theHarry Pottermovies, which cast regular British kids to play the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Unfortunately, this choice wouldn’t have been as useful forWickedfor one specific reason.
Wicked Quickly Learned The Problem With Casting Unknowns
How Broadway Stars Entered Wicked’s Cast
The reason why Chu did not end up casting unknowns inWickedis also summarized in the Making Wicked featurette. Chu said, “And when you realize how hard these songs are to sing… well, there’s a reason why known people are known because these songs are freaking hard. You need a professional.” Ultimately,Chu’s hopes of casting unknowns were dashed by the fact thatWickedis not easy.The music is not made for those who can hold a tune, but for trained singers who understand how to use their voices in the best way possible.
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It seems that this fact opened the door to a newWickedcasting trend: bringing in Broadway actors.Erivo and Grande both started their careers on Broadwaybefore transitioning to movies and TV. This made them perfect for the roles of Elphaba and Glinda because they could not only ace the music, but also had experience with being on a movie set. On top of that, casting Broadway actors allowedWickedto cater to musical theater fansfar more than past movie musicals had done. Ultimately, casting Broadway stars madeWickedso much better.
Wicked Was Better Off Not Casting Unknowns For Elphaba & Glinda
How Future Musicals Should Replicate Wicked’s Casting
In the end, it is a relief that Chu decided tocast Erivo and Granderather than unknown actors. Both actresses completely embodied their roles to the point where it was easy to forget their past roles and reputations.Grande, in particular, never felt like a pop singer inWicked,but fully transformed into Glinda the Good. Though it is impossible to know now, it seems likely that unknown actors could not have brought such star power and talent to these roles. The movie would have been completely different.
Arguably,Wicked’scastshould be seen as a healthy step forward for Hollywood, especially in regard to movie musicals. Oftentimes, movie musicals cast A-list celebrities, whether they have the ability to sing or not. Sometimes, this is successful, as inMamma Mia,but other movies likeLes Miserablessuffer for it. Thus,Wicked’ssuccessful casting of Broadway stars should be a lesson for all future movie musicalsto lean on professionals rather than celebrities.Wickedmay have changed the casting game for good.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
