Lin-Manuel Miranda, a pivotal figure in contemporary musical theater, recently shared his thoughts on not being cast in the highly-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. Known for his groundbreaking work on Hamilton, as well as contributing songs to Disney’s Moana and Encanto, Miranda’s influence in the musical landscape is undeniable. Additionally, his musical In the Heights was transformed into a successful film under the direction of Jon M. Chu, who also helms the upcoming Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good. Despite this connection, Miranda was not included in the film’s cast.
During his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Miranda expressed his desire to portray the Munchkin character who poignantly asks Glinda (played by Ariana Grande-Butera), “Is it true you were her friend?”He emphasized that this line serves as a catalyst for the entire narrative and is often delivered with significant emotional weight in live performances of Wicked. Although he conveyed his enthusiasm to Jon M. Chu about taking on this role, he ultimately concluded that his casting could prove to be too distracting. Miranda praised Kirsty Anne Shaw, who ultimately took on this important role in the film.
My favorite line in the show is in the opening number when this one Munchkin runs out and goes, “Is it true you were her friend?”If you’ve seen a live production of Wicked, sometimes they really put some sauce on the ball when they deliver that line. It’s where the story starts. I really wanted to do that line. I was not cast. It would’ve been too distracting. The young woman who does it in the movie is great. She does it very earnestly.
Implications for Wicked
Miranda’s Potential Role in Wicked
If Miranda had taken on the role of the Munchkin, he would have been one of the first characters to appear in Wicked, preceding Cynthia Erivo’s introduction as Elphaba and Jonathan Bailey’s introduction as Fiyero. His early appearance would have come before the recognizable Broadway cameos from Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Stephen Schwartz, which occur later in the musical when Elphaba and Glinda reach the Emerald City in the song “One Short Day.”
Given Miranda’s fame within the musical community and beyond, a cameo could have been perceived as distracting. This distraction would be particularly notable at the outset of the film, where familiarity with the characters and the storyline is still being developed. As he acknowledged, Shaw’s performance not only fits seamlessly but also contributes to establishing the tone of this vital moment in the musical.
Perspectives on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Comments
Why a Miranda Cameo Wasn’t Necessary
Beyond the potential distraction, having Miranda appear in a cameo could have felt out of place, as he is not intricately linked to Wicked‘s origins. The original creators, including Menzel and Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, along with Schwartz’s contributions, all form a part of the musical’s enduring legacy. Their cameos are not only fitting acknowledgments of their impactful roles but also resonate deeply with audiences. Although Miranda has made substantial contributions to musical theater and film, his lack of involvement in Wicked makes a Munchkin role at the film’s outset seem jarring and incongruous.
Source: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
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