Lin-Manuel Miranda 'Really Wanted' a Cameo inWicked,but Admits 'It Would've Been Distracting'

Mar. 15, 2025

Lin-Manuel Miranda in New York City on Oct. 3, 2023; Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande inWicked(2024).Photo:Cindy Ord/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Cindy Ord/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Lin-Manuel Mirandais revealing more details about missing out on a role inWicked.

After quipping that the story has “gotten blown away out of proportion,” Miranda, 45, admitted to hostStephen Colbertthat he requested the role “as soon as” his formerIn the Heightscollaborator Chu, 45, “got the gig” ofWickeddirector.

“My favorite line in the [stage] show is in the opening number, [when] this one Munchkin runs out and [asks Glinda], ‘Is it true you were her friend?!’ " said Miranda. " ‘Cause, man, I don’t know if you’ve seen alive production ofWicked, but sometimes they really put some sauce on the ball when they deliver that line. It’s where the story starts.”

“So I was like, ‘I really wanna do that line, Jon.’ And I was not cast,” he added, laughing. “It would’ve been distracting.”

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As Chu first revealed in the commentary forWicked’s digital edition, perVariety, Miranda wanted to play the Munchkinland citizen who, at the beginning of the movie, asks Glinda (Ariana Grande) of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), “Is it true you were her friend?”

“I got many calls from Lin. He might have even tweeted about it," recalled Chu, explaining that he said no as he thoughta cameo from Miranda would be “too distracting.”

“Sorry, Lin!" the filmmaker added, perVariety.

Mirandadid indeed tweetabout wanting the role, which eventually went to actressKirsty Anne Shaw, as seen in the final cut of the movie.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon M. Chu in New York City on Jan. 7, 2025.Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Sharing aNew York Timesarticle about the film treatment’s early stages, whenStephen Daldrywas attached as director, Miranda wrote all the way back in June 2016, “WICKED MOVIE! FINALLY.”

He added in his post on X (formerly Twitter), “Dear Stephen Daldry: Can I play the guy who goes, ‘Is it true you were her FRIEND?!’ "

In his Monday interview with Colbert, 60, Miranda said “the young woman who does it in the movie,” Shaw, “is great” and delivers the line “very earnestly.”

“I would’ve done very Regina GeorgeMean Girlslike, ‘Is it true you were her friend?’ Didn’t make the cut,” he joked.

Wickedis now available to buy or rent on demand.

source: people.com