Jeff Goldblum may be on his way to the Land of Oz, with Deadline reporting that the Jurassic Park star is in talks with Universal over the role of The Wizard in the studio’s two-part adaptation of the stage musical Wicked.
According to the trade, Goldblum’s deal “is not even close to sealed”, although both parties are keen and hopeful of positive negotiations. Assuming a deal is reached, the actor would join Cynthia Erivo (Bad Times at the El Royale) as Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and pop star Ariana Grande (Don’t Look Up) as Glinda, the Good Witch.
Based on the hit stage musical that serves as a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s children’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, both instalments of Universal’s Wicked are being directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), while the stage show’s book writer Winne Holzman and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz have penned the script.
Universal’s two Wicked movies will release on Christmas Day 2024 and Christmas Day 2025 respectively.
