Life has been a roller coaster ride for Cynthia Erivo ever since Wicked hit theatres. The Harriet star has seen her stocks rise after the 2024 film cruised to success. And good things are already coming her way.
While Erivo already has another successful project lined up (Wicked: For Good looks all set to have a bang this year), she has been handed another role – and fans aren’t exactly excited about that casting.
Cynthia Erivo is having the time of her life
Cynthia Erivo has become a household name with Wicked || Universal Pictures
Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to being associated with musicals. Before playing the role of Elphaba in the Ariana Grande starrer (in what we could call an ‘off-Broadway’ project), she had already donned the mantle of playing Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. She is returning to the musical, albeit essaying a different role.
The 38-year-old has been cast for bringing to life Jesus Christ in the musical – marking a significant step not just for her, but everyone who believed in her story.
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While the entire cast is yet to be unveiled, Sergio Trujillo will serve as the director and choreographer, and another Tony Award winner is all set to come to the table when it comes to music direction and conduction, with Stephen Oremus joining the fray.
Cynthia Erivo has been unveiled as Jesus in the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar || Universal Pictures
That doesn’t mean that everything is fine though. Some fans are finding it hard to come to grips with a particular fact – her casting itself.
Fans are not really excited for Cynthia Erivo’s role in Jesus Christ Superstar
Cynthia Erivo faces an uphill battle before playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar || Universal Pictures
Jesus Christ Superstar has always managed to shock fans by doing the unthinkable. Be it pulling off an all-female version, or with their surprising casting choices.
The musical, which is all set to go down from August 1 and will run through August 3 this year at the Hollywood Bowl, has attracted many eyes over the years. This year will be no different. Erivo’s casting was a step to that effect only. Sadly, it hasn’t had the effect they expected it to have.
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Many fans expressed their shock over the casting, finding it rather odd. One Instagram user responded,
We asked for Jesus, not Jada Smith.
Many other users were more blunt, terming it as outright blasphemy. Another wrote,
Wait a second… BLASPHEMOUS?
There was a section that looked like it had had enough of the choice. An Instagram user responded,
That’s just weird bro.
Another commented,
Petition to cancel her out of it.
Fans weren’t ready to accept her it seems. Many Instagram users have derided everyone involved with the musical, and some users have even sent them to hell.
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For Erivo, what ought to be a surreal moment, has been transformed into something bitter sweet. Sweet because no matter what, she’ll have Wicked: For Good, and bitter for, well, the obvious reasons. Guess things can take a different course with time.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
