Hmm, Lea Michele will be the age Idina was when she started the role. But theatre acting is more forgiving for 30somethings playing teens than movie acting...
T3 Cast Soundtracks in years past:
2015 Hamilton
Wicked
Mormon
it will be very hard to find someone young (20-25) for the roles so I think they will go for more experience singers.
I could see Gaga doing Elphaba although she might be too old at that point too.
Lea would obviously be a good choise too.
lol stop. There's PLENTY of Wicked plays around the country to find the perfect person. This is a movie where no matter who plays it, it's going to be a big pull in.
Beyond excited, but a lot can happen in 3.5 years so I wouldn't be surprised if the date gets pushed around a bit. A little surprised though that they'd put it right next to the release date for the final installment of the new Star Wars trilogy. Oh, well.
As for casting, most likely they'll cast someone younger for Elphie/Glinda, and most eligible stars nowadays would be too old by the time it starts filming in 2018, so I'm curious to see who will star. I'm still hoping for Maggie Smith or Imelda Staunton as Madame Morrible and Hugh Jackman as The Wizard or Doctor Dillamond.
Whatever they do, I hope the cast is diverse! It's Oz. No reason for it not to be diverse.