Musical theatre Gods, hear our prayers!
The internet is in a panic as a film adaptation of the hit stage musical Wicked has been announced and its die-hard fans rush to sign a petition stopping James Corden from appearing in it.
At the time of writing, said petition has already hit its original target of 25,000 signatures.
Though Cordon had a stellar start to his career as Smithy in classic Welsh sitcom Gavin & Stacey, his presence around anything involving a musical number has soured audience opinion.
Perhaps because of this, a man named Mikel Miller has started an online petition called: ‘Keep James Corden out of Wicked the movie’.
Though many petitions rattle on about their motivations, Miller posted a simple statement that seems to sum up everyone’s feelings.
He wrote: “James Corden in no way shape or form should be in or near the production of Wicked the movie.
“That’s pretty much it.”
Opening on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has grown into one of the biggest musicals in the world. As a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, the production flips the narrative and shows us that the Wicked Witch of the West was not so wicked after all.
Though the full cast list has not been revealed, it has been announced that the two central characters Glinda and Elphaba will be played by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
However the internet is praying that Cordon’s name does not appear on the cast list.
Only the true OGs will get the reference:
James Corden and Lea Michele after not being cast in Wicked. pic.twitter.com/4UulHGYLWK
— 🕊️💞Dannie D💞🕊️ (@DannieD01) November 5, 2021
Would that make Corden the Darth Vader of musical theatre?
the resistance grows https://t.co/8OrWUqBx53
— paul (@paulswhtn) November 7, 2021
This about sums it up:
They better not cast James Corden in this WICKED musical. pic.twitter.com/RyCT7N52rd
— Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) November 5, 2021
This seems like a good rule; who do we speak to?
Just keep James Corden out of any film/ tv program https://t.co/xXUIbUdycT
— Charlotte (シャーロット 🌸) Rise of the Ronin✨ (@CharGaming_) November 7, 2021
He woke up and chose violence:
Me to the casting director if James Corden gets cast in the Wicked movie #wicked pic.twitter.com/IMx0ixmleu
— Reece Thompson (@Reece_T92) November 5, 2021
For anyone wishing to sign the petition to save one of the greatest modern musicals from butchering, click here.
