Jeff Goldblum In Talks To Portray The Wizard In Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked’ Adaptation
Christian Hubbard
Posted On October 28, 2022
With films like Dear Evan Hansen and In The Heights coming out in 2021, it appears Hollywood is well into the business of adapting major Broadway musicals for the big screen. Up next, Universal Pictures will adapt Wicked and, as first reported by Variety, cinematic icon Jeff Goldblum is in final talks to portray the equally iconic Wizard in the film.
If the dotted line is signed, Goldblum will join Grammy winner Ariana Grande, who will portray Glinda, and Tony Winner Cynthia Erivo, who tackles the role of Elphaba. Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey will also portray Fiyero in the film. Moreover, In The Heights director, Jon M. Chu will direct the feature. Stephen Schwartz, who wrote both the music and lyrics to the Broadway show, is adapting the script alongside Winnie Holzman (Once and Again). The two-part feature adaptation will release during the Christmas seasons of 2024 and 2025, respectively.
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Wicked is a Broadway musical based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, itself a retelling of the classic 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The production tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch as they struggle through opposing personalities. Its original stars included Frozen star Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda.
Jeff Goldblum is a legend who has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of his era, such as Jurassic Park and Independence Day, as well as their sequels. The actor also touts recent memorable roles in films like Thor: Ragnarok and Hotel Artemis. All the while, Goldblum hosts his own Disney+ series The World According to Jeff Goldblum. Up next, he joins the star-studded cast of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City.
What do you think? Are these the best choices for the cast of Wicked? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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