The film adaptation of Tony award-winning musical, Wicked, will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba.
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
In the Heights director, John Chu announced via Twitter the casting of pop star Ariana Grande and actress Cynthia Erivo for his latest project.
The Wicked adaptation has been in the works for over 10 years and is currently in development. Stephen Schwartz, the original composer, and Winnie Holzmann, the writer of the book, are collaborating on the screenplay.
Erivo is the recipient of several accolades including, a Tony, Grammy and daytime Emmy for her performance in the broadway revival of Alice Walker’s “The Colour Purple”. Her performance is sure to be nothing short of excellent.
It has been a while since we’ve seen Ariana Grande in an acting role but, the Grammy award-winning singer is no stranger to the screen. Grande’s break-out role was on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and she later stared in the spin-off series Sam & Cat.
Wicked is sure to solidify the star’s triple-threat status. Grande is also set to appear alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Jennifer Lawerence in the upcoming Netflix film Don’t Look Up.
The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulatory messages for Grande and Erivo via social media.
Photo Credit: Midland Report-Telegram
“From the very first day I met you (swipe to see!!), you were destined for this role,” wrote Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda on broadway. “Congratulations @arianagrande! The best Glinda you will be with @cynthiaerivo by your side ?? I love you!!”
Photo Credit: Playbill
Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba on broadway, wrote, “Congrats to two amazing women. May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us”.