Former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger set to land high-profile role of Elphaba in film adaptation of Wicked
NICOLE SCHERZINGER is on the verge of landing a schermazing new Hollywood role.
I can reveal the X Factor judge in talks to play the lead role of Elphaba in the Hollywood adaptation of hit musical Wicked.
The movie, which is being made by Universal, is due for release in December 2019 and bagging the much sought-after part would help Nicole establish herself as one of Tinsel Town’s biggest performers.
A source said: “Nicole has held early discussions with film bosses who think she’s perfect for the role of Elphaba.
“She’s been eyeing a career in acting for some time now, so playing the lead role in a such a popular musical would be a major coup.
“There’s still some way to go before a final decision but she’s very much in the frame for the job.”
Currently, no other cast-members have been announced for the production, although original Broadway star IDINA MENZEL has ruled herself out of reprising the role she originated in 2003.
The Frozen star believes she’s too old at the age of 45 - which is seven years older than Nicole.
The former PUSSYCAT DOLL was linked with a role in the film version of Cats, having earned an Olivier nomination for best supporting actress in the stage musical - written by LORD ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER - after landing the part of Grizabella on the West End.
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Over the past year, she’s upped her acting CV by starring as Penny in the TV movie of Dirty Dancing, while also voicing Sina in the Disney film Moana.
But Wicked would be her biggest movie by far and surely one that would do some damage in the box office.
The story, based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, is the prequel to the Wizard of Oz and shows Glinda and green-skinned Elphaba go to university together, where the latter transforms into the Wicked Witch of the West.
Nicole’s character sings the famous Defying Gravity song, one of theatreland’s most famous numbers.
She’s certainly got the pipes to pull it off on the big screen.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Rita's a China doll
RITA ORA’s tunes clearly don’t have a sell-by date in China.
The singer was honoured with a gong for Most Popular And Influential International Artist by the country on Thursday – despite not having released a new album in five years.
Rita picked up her award in a blue feather dress after changing out of this gold gown at the China Music Awards bash in Macau.
Her follow-up to 2012 debut album Ora is in the making and will be released in the next few months via her new Atlantic and Warner labels.
She won’t be complaining about having China’s backing when that hits streaming platforms.
Towie's Arg bar
HE’S just back from rehab in Thailand and more than a stone lighter but Towie’s JAMES ARGENT is a job lighter too, as he is barred from rejoining the show.
He met ITVBe bosses on Thursday and was told a swift return was not on.
A source said: “Arg was hoping to make a cameo in the final few episodes.
“But bosses believe after lengthy rehab, being rushed back into the fold wouldn’t be in his or other cast members’ interests.
“He was also told a full-time return is unlikely until there’s a big improvement in his lifestyle.”
James, who calls himself “The Ian Beale of Towie” due to being its only remaining original, last appeared in late 2016.
Maybe he should aim to get his own reality show.
Benjy's sessions back with a bang
BEA MUNRO made sure club night Benjy’s Sessions was back with a bang.
The rocker belted out rock ballads at the Alleycat Bar in London’s Soho on Thursday.
Londoner LOUIS DUNFORD opened the show, the first in six months, and included a tribute to best pal and knife crime victim BEN KINSELLA with The Ballad of Benjamin.
PLASTIC PEOPLE and disco funk singer ROSIE PENNIE also got the packed crowd grooving.
Cheeky cig, Zayn
ZAYN MALIK has dropped the video for Still Got Time and it’s exactly the crazy party I said it’d be.
I told last week how he threw open the doors of his £4million North London mansion to host strippers and strangers in a two-day party for the video shoot.
At the end of the video, which is full of drinking, kissing and groping, Zayn goes outside for a smoke, only to hallucinate a small monkey on his shoulder and an alligator by his inflatable pool.
In a statement, director Calmatic said the video didn’t deviate much from the reality of a Zayn house party. Bet his neighbours are delighted.
Bizbit
CLINT EASTWOOD is to direct a thriller about a foiled Paris terror attack.
The 15:17 To Paris is about three US heroes who took down an Islamic extremist assaulting French train passengers in 2015.
Biz meter charts
AFTER a week off, ED SHEERAN’s Shape Of You climbs back to No1. HARRY STYLES’ Sign Of The Times falls to fourth behind CLEAN BANDIT ft ZARA LARSSON and Ed’s Galway Girl.
KENDRICK LAMAR scores this week’s highest new album entry with his most successful release yet. Damn just misses out on the top spot to Ed Sheeran’s all- conquering Divide.
ELSEWHERE, JOHN MAYER scores his fourth Top 40 record as brilliant new album The Search For Everything enters at No16, while LADY GAGA’s surprise single The Cure enters at No23.
Bizbit
ANNIE LENNOX and TEXAS will play for BARACK OBAMA when he visits Edinburgh next month. The singer and the Scottish band will perform at a queston-and-answer do with the ex-Prez.