It's no secret that Evil has an incredible cast of stars, but there's an element to these actors that makes them (and the film) even better. After debuting in late November 2024, Evil it quickly became one of the most popular and highest-grossing films of the year. Based on a novel by Gregory Maguire and a Broadway musical, Evil is half prequel, half spinoff of the classic story of The Wizard of Oz. In Maguire's version, the Wicked Witch of the West is a young girl named Elphaba who quickly goes from outcast to villain.
With such a large and complex IP, Evil had to make sure it had plenty of beloved and talented celebrities to take on its important roles, from Elphaba to Glinda. Furthermore, these great actors inevitably helped Evil to gain more popularity, as those who didn't know the story were still intrigued by Evil cast members like Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey. Then, why Evil is a musical, it was essential that the cast could sing and dance proficiently. All these objectives were definitely achieved by Evil, but one element took the film even further.
Wicked chose mostly Broadway actors for the film
Which Shows the Wicked Cast Has Been Before
There is no doubt that Evil has an incredible cast of actors, and what sets them apart is the fact that most of them are Broadway actors before they were Hollywood actors. Evil is a full-fledged musical and has deep roots on Broadway. Therefore, it was not only important that the actors on screen were singers and dancers, but also that they understood the importance of Evil history and impact. With stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ethan Slater in the cast, the Evil the film had many Broadway stars bringing the stage to the big screen.
A series of Evil casting began on Broadway. Cynthia Erivo rose to stardom in 2015 when she played the lead role of Celie in the Broadway revival of The color purple. Before Ariana Grande launched her music career, or even her career as a Nickelodeon star, she appeared in the 2008 Broadway musical, 13. Ethan Slater, who plays Boq, originated the role of SpongeBob SquarePants in the 2016 Broadway musical. Even Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton Fame began in the West End in programs like Les Misérables and The last five years.
Wicked's Broadway actors helped the musical performances really shine
The cast of Wicked left their careers at the door
The fact that Evil the mostly Broadway-sourced cast made the film that much better. Evil depends on a number of elements, from acting to SFX, but music may be one of the most significant elements of all. Evil is known for his music and many audiences had high expectations for the film. Fortunately, 2024 Evil was able to deliver outstanding musical performances because real singers and artists were hired to do the work, which isn't always the case when it comes to movie musicals. The Broadway sensation of Evil was translated to the big screen.
Sometimes having a star-studded cast can be a downfall for a film, especially when it's as well-known as Evil. In some cases, A-list celebrities may have difficulty putting their careers and reputations aside in order to truly become the character they play. To Evil, this was not a problem. Grande has a massive music career, still in Evil, she never felt like a pop star. Instead of, Grande completely embodied Glinda. This type of commitment is absolutely imperative and, fortunately, Evil cast brought everything to their roles.
Wicked is a great example of why musicals should cast Broadway veterans
Broadway and Hollywood could work better together
Ultimately, Evil proves that Hollywood should prioritize casting real Broadway actors in musical film adaptations. While it is possible for non-Broadway actors to take on musical roles, as evidenced by films such as Mom Mia, can make it harder for the film to do musical justice. Singing is as important as acting. Furthermore, Broadway actors are well equipped to act on the big screen. On the other hand, regular movie actors may not have the skills necessary to make a musical as enjoyable as possible.
Broadway actors do an incredible amount of work that often goes unnoticed.
Hopefully, Evil is a step in the right direction for future Hollywood musicals. Broadway may not be as well-known as Hollywood, but it has many stars that deserve to be highlighted. Broadway actors do an incredible amount of work that often goes unnoticed. Thus, films like Evil Get the chance to show appreciation for Broadway actors while creating musicals that are not only star-studded but also have a better connection to the original musical.