Wicked Casting Couch Take 2

Taking a day off from trip recapping to flip out about some Very Exciting News.

Sources confirm that the actress-producer [Salma Hayek] is teaming with ABC to develop an eight-hour miniseries adaptation of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the Gregory Maguire bestseller that spawned the Broadway phenom. The insider stresses that it would be based on the novel and not the musical.
Via 

I've gotten excited about a Wicked moving pictures treatment before, but that was for a big screen adaptation of the musical, which is amazing in its own right, but a VAST departure from the dark, thought-provoking, more than slightly perverse story told in Gregory Maguire's novel.  The actresses playing the roles of book Elphaba and Galinda have to have very different capabilities than the actresses playing musical Elphaba and Galinda.

My choice for Galinda came instantaneously.  Dianna Agron has the innocent, beautiful look with a proven track record of playing a syrupy sweet bitch.  Exactly what the role calls for.
Elphaba was more of a challenge.  Initially I couldn't think of anyone with the right look or personality.  Of course, it's an actress's job to portray the character appropriately, but still, an undercurrent of snarkiness is necessary.  Then, while watching Pretty Little Liars a television show that is not remotely an embarrassing teen drama, it struck me.  Troian Bellisario.  She definitely has the look, as well as the necessary gravity, maturity and seriousness to play the green girl.So, anyone else out there as excited as me about eight hours of Wicked goodness?  Any other thoughts on casting?  Anybody else ready to start planning a Wicked party?

Comments

[Kendra]

This is exciting! I have really been wanting to see the musical. I just hope AFN airs the miniseries! Ha!

I love your choices too!

[Miriam]

I effing love Troian Bellisario. Man, she really would be perfect for Elphie. And she's already part of the ABC family so no cross-studio negotiations.

I'm still so in love with this news.

[Alohakitchen.blogspot.com]

But can she sing?

Oh, that might not be necessary for a book adaptation. Never mind.

And now I have to go reread the book!

[Emily Jane]

This is SO exciting!! I have seen the musical twice (once more when it comes to my city finally this summer!) and the books are definitely on my list! I think Dianna Agron would be PERFECT!!

[katelin]

i feel like diana would be great for the musical (obviously) as for this mini series i'm not quite sure. i don't even know how i feel about because i have to admit i was not a fan of the book at all. maybe it'll be more intriguing in screen form.

[Jessica]

I have to say, I've never read the book but did hear it's very different from the musical. I totally agree with Diana as Galinda. She would be perfect.

[shelley]

I think I would be more excited if it were based on the musical!

[garden state prep]

This is such exciting news - I'm interested to see how they translate the book onto the screen.

[Thoughts Appear]

I'm just as excited as you! I loved the book and the musical. Great casting choices!

[Fraulein N]

You know I damn near passed out when I read this. If they're leaning more toward the books than the musical, I think the leads should be a *bit* older. Certainly still young, but Dianna Agron for one looks young enough (obviously) to play a high schooler, and they're already at university when the story opens. In a few years, I would say she's perfect for a role in either Wicked the serious drama or Wicked the musical. She can act *and* sing. I've never seen the girl from Pretty Little Liars so I don't know how she'd do as Elphaba.