Rumors surrounding the casting of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked reveal a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how various stars vied for the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda over the years. The movie, based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel and the subsequent Broadway musical, has gone through numerous iterations before arriving at its current form.
Producer Marc Platt has shed light on this lengthy development process, recounting how actresses such as Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg were initially considered for the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The transformation of this project—from its inception as perhaps more of a straightforward drama to the vibrant musical stage show known today—was marked by significant changes and casting decisions.
According to Platt, Moore’s company had aggressively pursued the rights to adapt the book, with the actress expressing her desire to portray Elphaba. “I think on different days she could do either, but in the moment it was definitely for Elphaba,” said her producing partner, Suzanne Todd, adding insight to Moore's passion for the role.
Interestingly, the film was initially envisioned as being without music for several years until composer Stephen Schwartz came on board. It wasn't until then the project pivoted to let audiences hear the feelings of the characters through song. Platt remarked, “That opened up a door of storytelling,” indicating how the use of music can transform narrative depth.
But if Moore hadn't landed the role, who would have reportedly shared the screen? Todd hinted at potential glindas like Michelle Pfeiffer, Emma Thompson, and Nicole Kidman—each bringing their own unique strengths to the enchanted world of Oz.
The adaptation became more cohesive thanks to Schwartz's vision, allowing the complex narratives of the characters to be communicated effectively through song, rather than solely through dialogue. For years, it was unclear how the book’s dense chapters would translate to screen; Schwartz's contributions were pivotal to this transformation.
Many names floated during the film's protracted development, with actress Whoopi Goldberg among the contenders who showed interest. Maguire has reported, “People who had expressed interest in the first six months included Whoopi Goldberg and Claire Danes. Salma Hayek had had some interest, and Laurie Metcalf.” This would have changed the dynamic of the film drastically had any of these actresses taken part.
Reflecting on how unique those interpretations of the characters could have been is intriguing. Had Demi Moore donned the green face paint for the role, it would have created waves, as Maguire humorously noted, “I used to say, I can imagined Demi Moore naked and green on the cover of Vanity Fair.” Such imagery surely would have sparked conversations around the film’s artistic choices.
Yet the version audiences see today is far removed from its origins. After the stage musical premiered successfully, introducing Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, the direction for the movie shifted to align more closely with this beloved version. The musical's success paved the way for the film to be developed more confidently.
Wicked has become not only a Broadway staple but also is set to take its place as one of the next major cinematic musicals. The casting news serves as a reminder of the multiple roads this project could have taken. It whets the appetite for the eventual release, reminding fans of all the possibilities and what-could-have-beens surrounding the much-loved adaptation.
While Demi Moore or Whoopi Goldberg taking on the roles may have been captivating, the anticipation for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who have now taken on the iconic roles, frames the movie's rollout with excitement—a blend of nostalgia for those early casting decisions mixed with enthusiasm for the fresh performances to come.
