Actress Keala Settle is about to grace the big screen once again inWicked,seven years after her breakthrough role as Lettie Lutz, a bearded lady inThe Greatest Showman. Her role in the latter garnered much critical acclaim, and continues to spark social media trends. In 2018, Settle had a mini-stroke, causing her to pause musical theater performing.
Now, alongsidea star-studdedWickedcastthat includes Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and more, Settle will soon return to the screen. The actress will take on the role of the newMiss Coddle, a new character in theWickedworld. SinceThe Greatest Showman, Settle has earned Tony and Drama Desk award nominations for her powerhouse vocals. Settle’s return to the big screen is a much anticipated one, especially withWickedpicking up so much traction as an adaptation of a popular play, not to mention its Wizard of Oz connections.
Wicked Will Be Keala Settle’s First Major Movie Appearance Since The Greatest Showman
Settle’s Role As Lettie Lutz Continues To Resonate
Keala Settle made her Broadway debut in 2011’s revival ofPriscilla: Queen of the Desert(viaBroadway Buzz). Settle went on to originate the role of Becky in Broadway’sWaitress, and play the role of Madame Thenardier inLes Misérablesfrom 2014-2015. That same year, Settle starred inRicki and the Flashopposite Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. Though the film boasts major star power, it was met with mixed reviews, per its60% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Settle’s powerhouse vocals combined with the emotionally moving message of hersong “This Is Me” from 2017’s musical filmThe Greatest Showmancatapulted Settle’s success to new heights, introducing her talents to a mainstream audience. The song continues to soundtrack countless social media trends and has become a musical theater staple.
Wicked’s Two-Part Release Plan Avoids A Problem With The Musical We Don’t Like To Admit
The two-part release of Universal Pictures' Wicked movie makes space for a segment of the story that the musical does not fully develop.
In 2018, following her demanding role inThe Greatest Showman,Settle suffered a mini-stroke, in part due to physical trauma (viaThe Guardian). As a result, Settle stepped away from acting for film for several years, before returning to the screen in 2020 withAll My Life.Following the COVID-19 pandemic,Wickedis set to be Settle’s first return to a major blockbuster since 2017.How it pans out could naturally lead to more frequent and more prominent roles afterWicked.
What Else Keala Settle Has Done Since The Greatest Showman
Settle Has Appeared In Several Stage Productions Since The Smash Hit Film
Settle has appeared in several streaming films and stage productions since herinspiring breakout role inThe Greatest Showman. In 2022, she was featured inAmerican Reject.That same year, she starred as Sister Mary Patrick inThe Sister Act, which marked her West End debut in London.
Settle more recently ventured to Australia to star in the jukebox musical& Julietas Nurse/Angelique, reprising her run as the same role from the 2022 West End run of the show. The actress also appeared onThe Masked Singerin 2024 under the guise of an air fryer. Settle’s impressive vocal prowess, coupled with her pride for her mixed Māori heritage,makes her a truly dynamic performer who continues to break barriers in the theater world.With this mind, it’s perhaps no surprise thatWickedturned to Keale Settle for a part in the upcoming play adaptation.
Keala Settle’s Character Shows How Wicked Is Expanding The Original Story
Settle’s Character Is New To The Wicked World
Settle is set to appear as Miss Coddle inWicked. Miss Coddle is a new character added to theWickedworld for the film, and does not appear in the original hit Broadway musical. This aspect of her role makes it hard to identify exactly how she’ll fit into the equation, but the story provides some hints.Wickedpicks up when Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) are roommates at the fictional Shiz University, learning more from one another than from many of their professors.
From the looks of things, Settle’s Miss Coddle will be among the characters used to bring the setting of Shiz University to life on the big screen. Given the film’s lengthy runtime, it appears thatMiss Coddle was created to dial up the importance of the witches' university experience. Other than her name and placement at Shiz University, details of Settle’s role inWickedremain under wraps until the film’s November 22 release.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
