Wicked film finds its Elphaba and Galinda

Universal Pictures has finally cast the two lead witches in its film adaptation of Wicked.

Director John M. Chu (In The Heights) has announced that he has chosen his actors to play Elphaba and Galinda. He announced that Cynthia Erivo will be playing the green-skinned Elphaba, and Ariana Grande will be taking the perpetually perky Galinda (or Glinda… the “Ga” is silent).

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!!! pic.twitter.com/t1eH82mCe7

— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) November 5, 2021

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, an outcast due to her skin color, becoming roommates with Galinda at Shiz University in Oz. The musical then follows the story of how these two young witches became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North.

The musical opened in 2003 and the movie rights were purchased in 2004. It looked like the film was finally coming together just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. The film is now back on track and is set to film in the U.K. in the summer of 2022.

Erivo has performed in the West End of London and Broadway in various musicals and plays, and has acted in films and television. She has won multiple awards including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award, and been nominated for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Grande is an actor and singer who has won two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and nine MTV Video Music Awards.

The roles were originated on Broadway with Idina Menzel playing Elphaba, and Kristen Chenoweth playing Galinda. The musical has grossed over $1 billion dollars since its debut.

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