12 Surprising Stars Who Auditioned for “Wicked ”(Including a Pair of Famous Brothers Who Both Read for Fiyero!)

12 Surprising Stars Who Auditioned for ‘Wicked’ (Including Two Famous Brothers!)

The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical ‘Wicked’ has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. The story follows the origin of Glinda and Elphaba and the events leading to their iconic roles as the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the first part of the film premiered in 2024, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. While the casting of Grande and Erivo was a no-brainer for Chu, many other well-known stars auditioned for the lead roles in the film adaptation.

Amanda Seyfried, known for her roles in ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Les Misérables’, revealed that she auditioned for the role of Glinda while juggling filming for ‘The Dropout’, showcasing her dedication to the audition process. Despite not landing the role, Seyfried credited the experience for preparing her for future musical opportunities.

Dove Cameron, who had dreamt of playing Glinda since childhood, expressed her desire for the role in various interviews. Renée Rapp, star of ‘Mean Girls’, auditioned for the role of Glinda and excitedly shared her support for Grande landing the role instead.

Ariana Grande, widely known for her vocal prowess, surprised many by revealing that she also auditioned for the role of Elphaba. With a strong inclination towards playing Glinda, Grande showcased her versatility and talent during the audition process, ultimately securing the role of Glinda in the film.

Cristin Milioti, acclaimed for her roles in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Black Mirror’, showcased her singing abilities by auditioning for the role of Elphaba. Despite her initial doubts about hitting the iconic high note in “Defying Gravity,” Milioti impressed the casting team with her audition performance.

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, known for her role in ‘The Color Purple’, emotionally shared her connection to the character of Elphaba and her childhood experiences with discrimination. Though Mpasi did not secure the role, she praised Cynthia Erivo’s casting as Elphaba.

The role of Fiyero, Elphaba’s love interest, saw auditions from notable names such as Nick Jonas and his brother Joe Jonas. While both Jonas brothers auditioned for the role, it ultimately went to Jonathan Bailey. Ryan McCartan, who previously played Fiyero on Broadway, and singer Spencer Sutherland also auditioned for the role, showcasing the talented pool of actors vying for the part.

The audition process for ‘Wicked’ attracted a diverse range of performers, each bringing their unique talents to the table. Despite the challenges and competition, the final casting choices for the film adaptation have thrilled fans and set the stage for an unforgettable cinematic experience.