On November 22, one of the most anticipated films of 2024 premiered: Wicked. A movie based on the book "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire which, in 2003, was adapted into a Broadway play that made this story a pillar of pop and musical culture.

When the possibility of bringing this beloved musical to the big screen arose, a crucial question emerged: <<Who would play Glinda and Elphaba?>> the two witches who star in the plot.

To the surprise of the industry, the production company behind Wicked (Marc Platt Productions) decided to take an unexpected turn: to hold auditions for these roles.

Why is this unusual? Today we will analyze how the game works in Hollywood.

Wicked: Why is it so relevant?

When in 1939 the adaptation of the literary work "The Wizard of Oz" (L. Frank Baum) premiered with Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", the story of the girl with the red slippers became a favorite among musical lovers. In 2003, Broadway saw the debut of "Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz", an adaptation of a book that explored the story of the two main witches from The Wizard of Oz.

Wicked tells us the story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West); however, what makes this work famous is the narrative and storytelling within it. Gregory Maguire's story humanizes the character in a way that, at the time, was not done. Appealing to the sentimental and seeking the origin of "Evil" within the character; Maguire makes Elphaba and Glinda (the Good Witch) friends, presenting them as two girls rather than mere characters who exist only to move a story forward.

Since its debut, both characters have become the "dream role" for many artists.

Ariana Grande fulfills her big dream.

"If this is happening, I'm going home to train my voice" (Ariana Grande on canceling the Sweetener World Tour in 2019 due to audition rumors for Wicked).

When it was announced that the one to bring the witch Glinda to life would be Ariana Grande, a wave of comments arose around that decision. Although the singer has extensive experience in the musical field, many argued that the role should have gone to an actress with experience in the film industry.

However, the artist has always been very transparent about her relationship with Wicked, showing herself as an admirer and being able to cancel her own tour for the opportunity to audition.

Auditions in Hollywood... do they exist?

Getting a role in a Hollywood movie has never been characterized as easy. Various actors have stated that the most common experience when trying to "enter" the industry is to be told "No." Building a career in this area in a traditional manner, through auditions, is a job that requires sacrifice and does not guarantee success. Moreover, usually, the most "weighty" roles in "big" movies are reserved for "A" list actors, whose fame and recognition allow them to skip the audition process. They are characterized by years of experience and/or having strong connections.

"Since The Parent Trap [1998], I haven't auditioned for a role" - Lindsay Lohan (Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, 2024)

WICKED BRINGS AUDITIONS BACK.

When a few years ago the director of Wicked, Jon M Chu, called for a casting for the film, it caused a great impact.

Hollywood actors like Amanda Seyfried, who acted in Mamma Mia (2008) and Les Misérables (2012), Dove Cameron, known for her role in Descendants (2015), Renée Rapp, who played Regina George both in the Broadway musical and in the Mean Girls (2023) movie, Ryan McCartan (Fiyero in the Broadway musical), and even Joe and Nick Jonas, auditioned for this film.

It is unusual for this to happen in the film industry. Wicked is predicted to be one of the major contenders in the awards season, including the Oscars.

Will we see Ariana Grande take home a statue for her dream role?