Sure, Idina Menzel has found crazy success as Elsa in the Frozen movies over the past few years, but she wouldn’t be singing “Let It Go” or the sequel’s new big number “Into the Unknown” if it wasn’t for her earlier work in Broadway smash successes such as Rent and Wicked. And turns out, the theater talent is particularly protective over her famous role as Elphaba in the Wizard of Oz prequel musical.
A movie adaptation of Wicked is currently in development at Universal and one would expect a young new musical talent such as Ariana Grande taking over the role. But when Idina Menzel was asked about passing the torch, check out what she had to say:
I still think that I should be Elphaba and I should just throw, slap that green makeup on me and get some CGI and Benjamin Button the shit out of that. I mean I love you, Ariana, but I still am relevant here.
Yes! It’s about time for the original Wicked Witch of the West to go off! Idina Menzel and no one else is the one to first sing “Defying Gravity” and help make it the incredible Broadway track it is. It’s tough to imagine anyone else stepping into the role on the big screen – yet, there is the issue of Menzel being 15 years older than she was when she first donned the green makeup and brim hat.
Idina Menzel makes a good case to Variety for returning to the role thanks to CGI technology that has been a part of movies such as The Irishman and Captain Marvel. If Robert De Niro is good for it, why not allow Idina to immoralize her character on the big screen? She’s well prepared for the role… to say the least.
The Frozen II actress offered herself up, joking there’s just a few smile lines to remove in post-production. She even mentioned her desire to bring back longtime co-star Kristen Chenoweth in the role of Glinda too! Chenoweth previously showed interest in taking on the supporting role of Madame Morrible for the movie adaptation of the Wicked movie. Who knows, though? She may just be as on board as Idina Menzel!
The Wicked movie has a set release date for December 22, 2021 but casting has not yet been announced for the project. The movie was originally supposed to come to theaters this year, but it was delayed and Cats nabbed the 2019 holiday release date instead.
A recent report had the musical’s composer Stephen Schwartz saying the production would be “fools” not to “seriously consider” pop star Ariana Grande for the movie adaptation. He also said the film’s not far enough along yet for casting to be decided upon.
Put Idina in! Either way, you can hear Idina Menzel show off her incredible vocals in Frozen II, now in theaters.
