Wicked is here and let me tell you, it’s already a total hit! The highly-anticipated movie that’s based on one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals, is set to crush it at the box office (fingers crossed, because the marketing budget alone could fund a small country).
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are straight-up enchanting (like, literally) as Glinda and Elphaba. But we all knew that, right? What we’re just finding out is that basically all of Hollywood wanted a piece of Wicked (and honestly, same).
That includes *drumroll* Lady Gaga and Shawn Mendes, according to Page Six. Yep, you read that right! And they’re not the only stars who are probably green with envy right now over Ariana and Cynthia’s casting.
From Amanda Seyfried to Lea Michele, the list of popular celebrities who tried to join the cast is actually wild. Take a look below at the many stars who nearly had a role in Wicked:
The Celebrities That Were Almost Cast in ‘Wicked’
Lady Gaga Lost Her Role as Elphaba to Cynthia Erivo
Looks like the only quirky transformation missing from the talented Mother Monster’s résumé is going full-on green — but not this time. Gaga didn’t land the role of Elphaba, even though Stephen Daldry (originally set to direct Wicked) almost cast her.
“They had meetings, the two of them, about the character and who she would be. [Gaga] was essentially cast in his version, and then it fell through,” Page Six reports.
As a consolation prize, Gaga snagged Harley Quinn in Joker 2 (by how much of a trainwreck that movie was, she’s probably gonna have nightmares about it forever).
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Shawn Mendes Was in the Running to Play Fiyero
Let’s be real — Shawn Mendes is already a real-life prince charming. But he almost literally became one. According to Page Six, the Canadian heartthrob was so close to playing Fiyero, a role that ultimately went to Jonathan Bailey after director Stephen Daldry dropped out and Jon M. Chu stepped in.
TBF I wouldn’t have complained at all seeing Shawn on a massive screen… (sighs dreamily).
Amanda Seyfried Auditioned for the Role of Glinda
Mamma Mia is the GOAT of all musicals, and you know what, it’d be unfair to us mere mortals if Amanda Seyfried starred in another one just as iconic. But that didn’t stop her from trying! She told Backstage in 2022 that she auditioned for the role of Glinda.
“While I was playing Elizabeth [Holmes on The Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version of Wicked — because I wanted it that much. I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life. But I think it also taught me how far I’ve come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove.”
Recently, a clip of the actress singing Popular went viral, leaving us all wondering what Seyfried’s Glinda would’ve been like. Awesome. It would’ve been awesome.
Reneé Rapp Wanted to Play Glinda, But is Happy for Ariana
The Mean Girls queen herself also auditioned for Glinda (another popular blonde, Reneé?). On Watch What Happens Live, Rapp revealed she wanted to play the witch and even hyped Ariana Grande for snagging the role: “She’s going to be f**king amazing,” she said. “I’m so excited.”
Dove Cameron Confirmed she Auditioned for Glinda
Dove would’ve slayed (or should I say bewitched?) as Glinda. Not only does she have musical creds, but she also played Kristin Chenoweth’s (the OG Glinda) daughter in Descendants and Hairspray Live. Kristin herself even admitted that Dove would have made a “great” Glinda.
The actress confirmed to The Wrap in 2023 that she auditioned for the part — “I definitely went out for it. I know that for everybody who did go out for it, it was a very long process. It was one of the longer processes I’ve been a part of” — but hey, not all coincidences are meant to be.
Lea Michele Would Have Loved to Play Elphaba
Lea seemed super into the idea of playing Elphaba. While it’s unclear if the Glee actress auditioned, she did tell Watch What Happens Live in 2019 that she’d totally go green for the role. When asked if she’d been approached to play Elphaba in the movie, Lea said,
“That would be incredible. I don’t think that they’ve gotten to the point of talking to people about it yet, if they have they haven’t called me. But, yes I’m, like, backstage painting myself green just waiting.”
(But like, would this illiterate queen even read the lines?)
Jennifer Lopez Could Have Starred as Madame Morrible
Word on the street is that J.Lo was eyeing her shot in Wicked. An insider claims she auditioned for the quirky villain Madame Morrible. And honestly? It kinda makes sense.
Nick and Joe Jonas Both Auditioned for Fiyero
Nick Jonas told Variety that he and his brother auditioned for Fiyero, because they’re both huge Wicked fans.
“Joe and I both went out, and we didn’t get it. I’m a huge fan of the show, and that’s a role I always thought it would be fun to play.”
While some siblings fight over the remote, these two are out here fighting for roles in Hollywood. Cool. We love to see it.
In the end, I guess all the final choices for Wicked were perfect — except for, you know, everyone who didn’t get the part. But hey, maybe our rejects will land a spot in Wicked 2.
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