Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Set to Star in 'Wicked' Movie

by Kilian Melloy

EDGE Staff Reporter

Friday November 5, 2021
Originally published on November 5, 2021

Multi-platinum singer and Broadway veteran Ariana Grande and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo have signed on to star in the film version of "Wicked," with "In the Heights" movie director Jon M. Chu helming the adaptation, Variety reported.

Erivo, who was nominated in two Oscar categories for her work on Harrient Tubman biopic "Harriet," will play Elphaba, and Grande will play Glinda.

"The stars announced their castings in respective Instagram posts on Thursday evening," Variety noted.

"'Dear Cynthia, honored doesn't even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz,' Grande wrote in a message to Erivo, sent with a pink and green floral arrangement (the signature colors of Glinda and Elphaba)." Grande also included several screenshots of a conversion with Erivo and Chu.

Erivo posted: "Pink goes good with Green," adding a row of green heart emojis for emphasis and including a photo of herself responding with emotion. Erico also addressed Grande, writing, "Congratulations Miss A, the part was made for you, I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you. Love, Cynthia."

The images in both stars' posts captured the moment they learned they had been cast in the film, Sky News detailed.

Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.