Amanda Seyfried Was Up Against Ariana Grande For "Wicked" Role: "I Literally Bent Over Backwards"

Before Ariana Grande secured the role of Glinda in the upcoming "Wicked" movie, Amanda Seyfried was a contender. In a Q&A interview with Backstage published on July 19, the "Mamma Mia" actor revealed she auditioned for the film adaptation while shooting "The Dropout" last summer. Asked about the wildest thing she'd ever done to get a role, Seyfried explained she was auditioning for the Good Witch in person on the weekends while playing Elizabeth Holmes during the week. "I wanted it that much that I was like, 'You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene of 'The Dropout' on Tuesday. I'll give my Sunday to you.'"

The actor added, "I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life." While the part ultimately went to Grande, who had been dreaming of the role for years, Seyfried saw the audition as a learning experience. "I think it also taught me how far I've come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove," she said.

Seyfried wanted to demonstrate her growth since her 2012 performance in "Les Misérables," a role she's previously said she still has nightmares about and would like to redo today. "Ever since 'Les Mis,' I was like, I need to be better. I need to do better. So whatever comes next in terms of musicals, I'm finally prepared."

In November 2021, director Jon M. Chu announced the "Wicked" movie would star Grande as Glinda, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Though further cast members have not been revealed yet, Chu has since shared the movie will be released in two films: the first in December 2024 and the second in December 2025. After originally planning to start filming in March, the cast will now begin rehearsals in August in England.