Everybody loves a good old fashioned Broadway musical, but the majority of audiences are unable to travel to Manhattan and then pay full price for tickets in a Broadway house. This is part of the reason why movie adaptations of popular musicals happen every few years, usually around Oscar season. Unfortunately, the actors who originated the roles rarely get themselves on the silver screen, especially if years have gone by. With a Wicked musical currently being mulled over at Universal, fans have been wondering if the likes of Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel will be returning to reprise the roles that earned them each a Tony nomination (and a win for Menzel).
Kristin Chenoweth recently sat down to speak with PEOPLE about both the upcoming movie adaptation of Wicked, and a possible reunion of the original cast. When asked about the possibility of playing Glinda the Good Witch on the big screen, she said the following:
I know there's been news of the movie, and I would love to be in it in any capacity. Maybe I'll play a munchkin this time.
Well, she does stand at a whopping 4'11.
While Kristin Chenoweth is (most likely) kidding about being an unnamed munchkin in a Wicked film, it's safe to say that she'd like to be involved a bit more extensively in the adaptation. In the same interview, she the actress recalled her recent viral video singing with costar Idina Menzel, hinting that fans would most likely want to see the pair together again in the movie.
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth do likely have enough star power among them to draw big numbers for the Wicked movie. Menzel has appealed to absolutely massive moviegoers by voicing Elsa in Frozen, in addition to her other myriad stage, television, and film credits. Kristin Chenoweth has also done so many movie and TV appearances that it's almost impossible for someone to not recognize her at this point. But the real issue is whether or not the duo's ages would suit itself for the movie.
Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, revolves largely around the friendship between Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, whose name is Elphaba. We see their relationship over the course of many years, beginning with their antagonistic introduction in College. This might be the only flaw of casting Broadway royalty back in their roles- their age.
Of course, this isn't to say that Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth might not still have roles in Wicked. I could very easily see Chenoweth playing Madame Morrible, the Headmistress of their University who has more insidious intentions that we'd anticipate. Additionally, there is the role of Elphaba's mother, which is a cameo in the musical that could potentially be expanded in a movie adaptation. At least that would be more meaty than being simply a munchkin.
Would you like to see a Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel led Wicked movie, or should they bring another generation into the iconic roles? Sound off in the comments below.
