‘Wicked’ almost starred Lady Gaga and Shawn Mendes instead of Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey, and I don’t know what to think

Wicked, the highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, is shaping up to be a critical and commercial success, thanks to its stellar cast and the buzz surrounding the film. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton playing Fiyero, the movie has already garnered massive excitement, even making history with a near-perfect 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Certified Fresh 91% from critics.

However, this Wicked adaptation could have looked very different. Lady Gaga, who is known for her powerhouse performances and versatility, was originally in talks to star in the film. She was reportedly set to play Elphaba, with Canadian singer Shawn Mendes considered for the role of Fiyero. Stephen Daldry, the executive producer of The Crown, was initially slated to direct the film before he departed the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.

While Daldry is a highly respected director with several Tony Awards under his belt, the project eventually took a different turn with Jon M. Chu coming on board as director. The cast also changed, with Erivo and Grande taking on the leading roles, and Jonathan Bailey being cast as Fiyero instead of Mendes.

Despite the initial casting shifts, it seems the final outcome was a perfect fit. Early reviews have praised the chemistry between Erivo and Grande, as well as the overall magic of the film, with many fans and critics agreeing that Erivo and Bailey were born to bring these iconic characters to life. While Lady Gaga’s potential Elphaba and Shawn Mendes’ Fiyero would have certainly been interesting, the current cast is proving to be an ideal choice for this highly anticipated adaptation.