POLL: Who should star in the movie version of Broadway's 'Wicked'?
It was really only a matter of time. "Wicked," the Tony-winning Broadway blockbuster, is being adapted into a major feature film, according to Deadline Hollywood.
To a certain extent, it was a no-brainer. An audience favorite since it opened in 2003, "Wicked" has toured the country and has become a familiar brand name even to people who don't usually go to the theater.
There's a lot of talk about who will direct the movie -- will it be Ryan Murphy or J.J. Abrams? Will James Mangold take the helm or will Rob Marshall inflict another turkey on us?
Perhaps the bigger question is which lucky pair of actresses will snag the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, the musical's sisterly protagonists? On Broadway, the roles were originated by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. (The latter won a Tony Award for her performance as the green-skinned Elphaba.)
Producers, including "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz, are making the talent agency rounds as "the move ramps up production. But why wait for Hollywood to make a casting decision? Let us know whom you want to see in the lead roles by taking our poll.
-- David Ng
Photo: a scene from the Broadway production of "Wicked." Credit: Joan Marcus / Associated Press.
What kind of question is this?? The most talented, gifted, entertainer this world has ever seen:: ADAM LAMBERT!
Posted by: earlzagurl4u | July 12, 2010 at 05:08 PM
Lea Michele and Ana Gasteyer? I assume that's intending Michele for the Glinda role, but even so... the two of them are too far in age to play side by side. Weird pairing, dude. I'm saying Lea Michele as Elphaba (love Idina and Kristin, but they're too old to play the roles now, especially on film), and an unknown as Glinda. Then you get the star draw + new blood.
Posted by: Dana | July 12, 2010 at 05:15 PM
If you consider Megan Hilty, who nailed the Glinda part in the Los Angeles production, an "unknown musical-theatre actress" then that gets my vote!
Posted by: Phil Hopkins | July 12, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Katharine McPhee & Adam Lambert
Posted by: gd | July 12, 2010 at 05:56 PM
Lambert?
Please.
Adam Lambert will be lucky to be performing in state fairs in 2 years.
Posted by: Honestrob | July 12, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Heaven forbid... the High School Musical cast...
Posted by: Jenna | July 12, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Sean Hayes and Neil Patrick Harris. Which one to play Glinda? Dunno.
Posted by: savvydude | July 12, 2010 at 07:00 PM
lady gaga and katy perry
Posted by: coblstone | July 12, 2010 at 07:03 PM
"or will Rob Marshall inflict another turkey on us?"...EXCUSE ME...ROB MARSHALL also gave us CHICAGO...BEST PICTURE WINNER...HE IS NO SLOUCH!...now say you didn't mean it...:)
Posted by: bruincheerleader | July 12, 2010 at 07:57 PM
These are the only choices you give for a poll?
There are a hundred other actresses you don't mention who could do the parts better. I vote for them.
Posted by: bettie | July 12, 2010 at 08:39 PM
What about Adam Shankman to direct? He's got the touch for film musicals, and a sense of humor, too.
And to the reader's comment about casting Adam Lambert, I know there's a part for a witch, but a queen?
Posted by: KJ | July 12, 2010 at 09:10 PM
Amanda Seyfried and Stefani Germanotta.
Posted by: GeneralChiang | July 12, 2010 at 09:24 PM
In my humble opinion, Menzel and Chenoweth are extremely talented but too old to be playing high school aged people. Same goes for Ana Gasteyer. American Idols? Taylor or Miley? Really? No. Let's find some new, young talent.
Posted by: broadwaylover | July 13, 2010 at 12:25 AM
Lea Michelle and Amanda Seyfried
Posted by: lucy | July 13, 2010 at 07:22 AM
Lea Michele and Laura Bell Bundy, perhaps?!
Posted by: Taryn | July 13, 2010 at 08:40 AM
Amanda Seyfried as Glinda and Teal Wicks as Elphaba.
Posted by: Dodger | July 13, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Vicki Noon and Natalie Daradich are currently touring as the witches and both remind me of Idina and Kristin. If we can't have the original witches, these two would be perfect.
Posted by: Kelly | July 13, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Idina Menzel ruining the film role just like she did the stage role? I don't think so. Did you even watch BOTH the Tony Award and Royal Variety (London) performances where her voice cracked all over the place? And what's with that heavy breathing in between each lyric. That's not singing. Please.... get someone who's going to do it justice and quit thinking that "original broadway cast" = perfect for the film version. More often, it's not the case! i.e. RENT and it's 45 y.o.'s attempting to be in their early 20's -- yuck.
I say: EDEN ESPINOSA for Elpheba!
Posted by: J.R. | July 13, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Although Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty would do the roles proud, I think Lea Michele and Amanda Seyfried would do Elphaba and Glinda proud! And can't you just see Justin Timberlake as Fiyero?
Posted by: jtbwriter | July 13, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Miley Cyrus has stated before that she hates musicals so she shouldn't be apart of the poll. I am fan of Taylor Swift but I don't think she has the ability to take on a musical movie. I think the best possible choices for Elphaba are either Anna Kendrick or Lea Michele. Anna said in an interview that she would love to be in a musical movie. For Glinda I think Amanda Seyfried is a good choice.
Posted by: LJ | July 13, 2010 at 02:47 PM