Entertainment Movies 'Wicked' Petition Asking Universal to Not Cast James Corden in Movie Garners Over 35,000 Signatures "James Corden in no way shape or form should be in or near the production of Wicked the movie," a statement on the petition reads. "That's pretty much it" By Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice Instagram Twitter Nicholas Rice is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers. Nicholas has previous work experience with Billboard, POPSUGAR, Bustle and Elite Daily. When not working, Nicholas can be found playing with his 5 dogs, listening to pop music or eating mozzarella sticks. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 8, 2021 12:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email James Corden. Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Many anticipating the upcoming film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked have one request for the casting team behind the project — don't hire James Corden. Last week, a Change.org petition was created by user Mikel Miller that calls on Universal — the studio producing the forthcoming movie — to not cast the 43-year-old actor for any of the film's roles. "James Corden in no way shape or form should be in or near the production of Wicked the movie," a statement on the petition reads. "That's pretty much it." As of Monday morning, the petition had over 33,000 signatures from like-minded individuals calling for the actor and late-night host to be barred from the film. Corden has previously starred in an array of musical movie adaptations in recent years, including Rob Marshall's Into the Woods, Tom Hooper's Cats, Ryan Murphy's The Prom and Kay Cannon's Cinderella, which was released on Amazon Prime earlier this year. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to Star in Wicked Film Adaptation George Rose/Getty Wicked debuted on Broadway in October 2003 with Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth and Joel Grey as the original cast members playing Elphaba, Glinda and the Wizard, respectively. The musical is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, and tells the story of Elphaba's life prior to becoming known as the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz — which was later adapted into the classic 1939 film starring Judy Garland. The original Broadway production won three Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards, as well as a Grammy Award. The film version of the musical was initially set for release on Dec. 22, 2021, but it was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. In February, director Jon M. Chu confirmed he was set to helm the picture. RELATED VIDEO: Idina Menzel Congratulates Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo on Wicked Casting News: 'So Much Love' Last week, Chu, 42, announced the news on Instagram that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are set to star in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. "These two witches!!" Chu wrote alongside photos of Grande, 28, and Erivo, 34, finding out they'd been cast. "The emotional moment I got to tell @cynthiaerivo and @arianagrande that they were our Elphaba and Galinda in the @WickedMovie for @unistudios 😭😭😭wait until you see what they bring!! It is other worldly. Ahhhhh!!!" In a post of her own, Erivo shared a photo of a pink and green floral arrangement that Grande had sent her with a note that read: "Dear Cynthia, honored doesn't even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz." Grande also received flowers from her costar in Glinda and Elphaba's signature colors and a note that began with "pink goes good with green." "Congratulations Miss A, the part was made for you," Erivo then wrote. "I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you."