(L-R) Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
(Picture: Getty Images)Universal Pictures’ adaptation of the Tony-winning musical Wicked will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba - and fans are excited.
Casting rumours for the two lead parts in the film have been circulating for months since Jon M. Chu of In the Heights was named as director.
“Goooood Newwwws!!! The incredible #CynthiaErivo and @ArianaGrande will be our Elphaba and Galinda in @WickedMovie @UniversalPics Get ready for a match-up like you’ve never seen!!! In pink and green!!!” Chu captioned a tweet.
The stars announced their castings in respective Instagram posts on Thursday evening.
“Dear Cynthia, honoured doesn’t even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you,” Grande wrote in a message to Erivo, sent with a pink and green floral arrangement (which happens to be the trademark colors of Glinda and Elphaba).
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Erivo, in part, wrote a message to Grande that said, “Pink goes good with green.”
Once people on Twitter saw the announcement, they were excited for the singers.
My friend @jonmchu is NOT playing. Wicked The Movie will be nothing but fire with Cynthia Erivo and @ArianaGrande!! https://t.co/pQBhZnhNjf
— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) November 5, 2021
The unadulterated joy this gives me. https://t.co/QE0Er5MzxT
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 5, 2021
This is just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cannot wait. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 https://t.co/pOakwr2b5G
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) November 5, 2021
✨Good News✨
— The Theatre Cafe (@thetheatrecafe) November 5, 2021
Wicked has found its leads. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will star in Universal’s adaptation of the hit musical ‘Wicked’ 💚 pic.twitter.com/VEr1Tta1C1
Erivo is a phenomenal choice for this role. Her Tony performance for the Color Purple makes me cry every time, she’s gonna slay Defying Gravity and No Good Deed we aren’t ready.
— Amelia 💖💜💙 (@millie_hillie) November 5, 2021
NOT ME MANIFESTING I@ SCREAMING pic.twitter.com/46fClxhQJo
— steph (@strangers2night) November 5, 2021
The glo up :,) pic.twitter.com/mfHfM519XN
— kyia loves ariana 🪐 (@ARlANAnasty) November 5, 2021
Ariana Grande is perfect for Glinda & Cynthia Erivo is perfect for Elphaba & both of them are coming for their Oscars with Wicked! pic.twitter.com/deg9jSmPO3
— Josh ❤️ Eternals #BlackLivesMatter (@supermangeek101) November 5, 2021
can’t believe we’ve got two women of colour leading the biggest movie musical ever. https://t.co/TfkNB58OV8
— Trannie Warbucks (@TheTabbyLamb) November 5, 2021
Even Idina Menzel, who won a Tony in 2004 for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production, tweeted out praise for the “amazing women.”
Congrats to two amazing women. May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us. So much love. https://t.co/2avPFA9OBk
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) November 5, 2021
The dueling witches in the film adaptation of Broadway’s Wicked have finally been identified.
Both artists are truly multifaceted, with Grande making her Broadway debut in the musical 13 and appearing in productions like Victorious and Adam McKay’s upcoming feature Don’t Look Up.
Erivo is on her way to earning an EGOT for her part as Celie in the 2015-2017 revival of The Color Purple, for which she won a Tony, a Grammy, and a daytime Emmy.
The production of Wicked is anticipated to start in summer 2022 in the UK.
