Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” movies starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were just 10 days away from completing principal photography when most of the production was shut down due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, was able to continue some shooting because he is on an Equity contract.
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Still, being informed that filming would be delayed was devastating, Bailey says.
“It was barbaric,” the British actor said. Diversity At the GQ Men of the Year party in Los Angeles. “This is the way that Cynthia and Ari and Jon Chu are bringing that story to life. It’s so psychologically rich that I think Cynthia has to hold on to the ice before she can complete that huge one (“Defying Gravity”). This is not just an emotional story, but real technology. So I think it’s obviously been disappointing for him.”
But then again, Bailey said, smiling. “We are all very happy that the experience can be extended for as long as possible.”
He did not have an exact date, but Bailey said shooting should be wrapped up “really soon”.
shortly after Diversity Breaking the news that Bailey had been cast in two “Wicked” movies, Chu tweeted, “She’s perfect. They’re perfect. They’ll be perfect together. Born to last forever… “I’m so excited to pretend it’s not happening.”
Bailey also revealed her dream musical project after ‘Wicked’.
“I’ve always wanted to make an adult Zack Snyder version of ‘Bugsy Malone,'” he said. “Thinking about that. I think it would work. It’s just like Underworld and really adult and really dark and a corrupt version of ‘Bugsy Malone.'”
“Bugsy Malone” originated in 1976 as a gangster musical comedy film about the titular mobster. Directed by Alan Parker, the film stars child actors playing adult roles and stars Jodie Foster and Scott Baio.
Bailey is currently starring in “Fellow Travelers”, a Showtime limited series about a decades-long romance between two men (Bailey and Matt Bomer) during the AIDS epidemic of the 1950s.
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