Movies

Universal’s ‘Wicked’ Adaptation Adds Marissa Bode and Bowen Yang – Deadline

December 9, 2022

EXCLUSIVE: Universal and director Jon Chu have finalized their set for their adaptation of the worldwide hit Nasty with Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James joining the film. Keala Settle, Aaron Teoh and Colin Michael Carmichael also join the cast. They join previously announced cast members Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater.

Bode will play Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister. The character is in a wheelchair, just like Bode, based in Los Angeles, who has acted since the age of eight in several plays and musicals. Yang and James will respectively play Pfannee and ShenShen, classmates of Elphaba and Glinda in Shiz. As for Settle, she will play Miss Coddle, Teoh will play Avaric and Carmichael will play Nikidik. The film will be released in two parts during the Christmas Day events in 2024 and 2025.

Chu is directing the film based on the three-time Tony Award-winning musical that was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel by writer Winnie Holzman and three-time Oscar winner^®-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who is also collaborating on the screenplay adaptation.

Nasty is produced on Broadway by Universal Stage Productions, Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and Stone. With a national tour and multiple international productions, the musical has been seen by over 60 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful theatrical ventures of all time.

The original Broadway hit has won more than 100 international awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Nasty has been played in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has so far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese.

Marc Platt will produce for his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions. David Stone will also produce. Senior Executive Vice President of Production Erik Baiers and Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.

Bode’s credits include Little Shop of Horrors, The soothsayers, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins and in addition, she self-wrote, self-directed, self-produced the short film You are adorablewhich had already been accepted into the 2021 Wisconsin Film Festival.

A favorite of audiences and critics across TV, film and streaming, Yang has solidified himself as one of comedy’s most innovative and unique voices. Emmy nominated for her performance on Saturday Night Livehe was seen in Hulu’s fire islandas well as Universal Brothers. He also recently wrapped production on Universal’s untitled project Please Don’t Destroy. James has numerous stage and screen credits, most recently on television on The Ballad of the Renegade Nell on Disney+ and Netflix Lockwood & Co..

Settle received Tony nominations for performances on Broadway in Hands on a Hardbody and the movie side was also seen in The greatest showman. Teoh is best known for his musical theater credits in the UK as We ride happily, The king and mefilm: me you we them and Carmichael can be seen in the upcoming live-action White as snow picture for Disney.

Bode is represented by DDO Artists Agency; Yang is represented by UTA, 3 Arts and attorney Isaac Dunham; James is represented by Piers Nimmo Management and Authentic Management; Settle by Creative Artists Management and Pakula King & Associates; Teoh by the direction of Byron; Carmichael by Piers Nimmo Management and Authentic Management.