Hollywood’s latest casting bombshell dropped like a glitter bomb this morning — Ariana Grande is trading her “Wicked” broomstick for a journey through the technicolor wonderland of Dr. Seuss. Warner Bros. announced the pint-sized powerhouse will headline their animated adaptation of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and honestly? The casting feels almost too perfect.
Fresh off her Oscar-nominated turn as Glinda (still can’t get over that “For Good” duet that had everyone sobbing into their playbills), Grande’s bringing her four-octave range to Seuss’s beloved tale. The studio’s also tapped Josh Gad — because apparently someone remembered his scene-stealing work as Olaf wasn’t just a frozen fluke.
The announcement came with all the subtlety of a Kardashian wedding. Grande posted a decidedly cryptic Instagram story: just her perfectly manicured fingers clutching what appeared to be the script, with that signature ponytail slightly out of frame. Classic Ari move, really.
But here’s where things get properly interesting. The creative team behind this project reads like a Hollywood wish list that somehow manifested into reality. Jon M. Chu — who’s clearly developed quite the working relationship with Grande during “Wicked” — is sharing the director’s chair with Jill Culton. And because apparently the universe decided to go all in, EGOT legends Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are crafting original music for this technicolor fever dream.
The timing couldn’t be more serendipitous for Grande. Between her “Wicked” success (that Oscar nod wasn’t exactly a surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention) and her upcoming role alongside De Niro and Stiller in “Meet the Parents 4,” she’s practically collecting industry cred like Pokemon cards. Speaking of which — Stiller’s been practically gushing about her comedic chops in recent press interviews. Not too shabby for someone who started out on Nickelodeon, eh?
While the plot details are being guarded more carefully than Taylor Swift’s diary, the source material follows a young traveler through life’s wild maze of choices and possibilities. Rather fitting, considering Grande’s own path from teen TV star to pop sensation to legitimate triple threat.
The film’s slated for 2028 release, joining the impressive lineup of Seuss adaptations that includes “Horton Hears a Who!” and “The Lorax.” Though, let’s be honest — with this level of talent involved, this isn’t just another animated cash grab. Between Grande’s vocal prowess and the Pasek-Paul musical touch, we might be looking at the next animated classic in the making.
Mind you, that’s assuming the world hasn’t completely gone digital by 2028. But that’s probably a conversation for another column entirely…
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