The upcoming two-part film adaptation of Broadway's Wicked has found its Fiyero: stage and screen star Jonathan Bailey. He joins the previously announced Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, set to star as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.
Following news that Bailey was in talks to star in the film reported by Variety, director Jon M. Chu confirmed the casting with a tweet September 21.
He’s perfect, they’re perfect. They’d be perfect together. Born to be forever….. I am too excited to pretend this hasn’t been happening. We have a Fiyero!!!! #JonathanBailey #Wicked https://t.co/meT51cGqDe
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) September 21, 2022
Perhaps best known for his performance as Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton in Netflix's Bridgerton, Bailey is a star of stage and screen. As a child actor, he appeared in London's West End as Gavroche in Les Misérables, later winning an Olivier for his performance as Jamie in Marianne Elliott's gender-swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company. Most recently, he starred in a revival of Mike Bartlett's Cockm, also in the West End.
The two-part Wicked film adaptation, which will include new songs by Stephen Schwartz, is scheduled for release December 25 of 2024 and 2025, with In the Heights screen director Chu at the helm. Wicked book writer Winnie Holzman is penning the screenplay, and Tony winner Paul Tazewell will design the costumes.
