Bowen Yang’s entertaining performance inWicked, makes up for not appearing in another blockbuster that was released last year. The much-anticipated adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical,Wickedexplores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda the Good Witch, during their time at Shiz University. Bowen Yang appears aspart of the cast ofWicked,as Pfannee, one of Glinda’s friends at the university, who greatly admires her beauty and popularity.
Since 2018,Bowen Yang has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a comedian and actor, earning recognition as a prominent cast member ofSaturday Night Live. In 2021, he made history by becoming the firstSNLactor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award (viaNBC News). Yang’s comedic skills helped him to stand out inWicked -and his performance more than makes up for a missed opportunity from the previous year.
Bowen Yang Was Forced To Turn Down An Appearance In Barbie
Bowen Yang Was Approached To Appear As Part Of The Kensemble
Since its release in November 2024,Wickedhas been compared to the success ofBarbie,which was released to both critical and commercial acclaim in 2023.Wicked’sbox office has been compared toBarbie’s$1.4 billion draw, and is set to become as successful as the 2023 drama. Similar toWicked,Barbiealso includes an ensemble cast, including Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir and John Cena, who all appeared as part of the “Kensemble,” the name given to the movie’s gathering of Ken’s. During production, Bowen Yang was one of several actors approached by filmmakers to make a cameo appearance inBarbie.
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Barbiecasting directors, Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan, approached Yang about a potential appearance as part of the Kensemble, but he turned down the opportunity (viaVanity Fair). The movie was filmed in 2022, during COVID-19 restraints which required actors to stay in London for three months. Due to his ongoing commitment to the 47th season ofSaturday Night Live, Yang was forced to turn down the cameo, which forced him to miss out on the opportunity to join the Kensemble inBarbie.
Ariana Grande Helped Yang Gain His Role In Wicked
Grande Helped Yang Compromise A Schedule For Both SNL & Wicked
Yang has credited Ariana Grande for helping him gain the role of Pfannee inWicked. In the run-up to the movie’s release,Grande appeared onThe Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,where she talked about her experience on the set of the movie and her stint as a guest host onSaturday Night Live.During her stint onSNL,Grande appeared alongside Bowen Yang in the segment “Charades With Mom"as a competitive mother meeting her son’s boyfriend for the first time (viaNBC). Grande described Yang as “phenomenal” as Pfannee and discussed with Fallon how she managed to secure the part for Yang.
Grande contacted Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer ofSaturday Night Live,and requested that Yang be allowed to take part in the filming ofWicked.In an interview withTODAY,Yang revealed there were strict rules that noSNLcast member is allowed to make movies during seasons, but Grande managed to persuade Michaels to allow Yang to filmWicked(viaYahoo News).Yang and Michaels were able to compromise a schedule, so Yang could fly between New York and London to film bothSNLandWicked(viaPajiba).
Yang’s Performance In Wicked Offers An Idea Of What Ken He Could Have Been
His Skills In Comedy Would Have Been Perfect For Barbie
ThroughoutWicked,Yang’s character, Pfannee, appears alongside Shenshen (Bronwyn James), and the two spend their time complimenting Glinda and insulting Elphaba.One notable scene sees Pfannee and Shenshen persuade Glinda to give Elphaba a black hatto wear at the Ozfest Ball, which leads toGlinda and Elphaba’s dance together. Later, Pfannee expresses his admiration and delightwhen Glinda announces her name change, stating “she’s so brave” about her decision. Yang portrays Pfannee as comedic, flamboyant and flirtatious, in a gender-swapped role from the original musical, where Pfannee was portrayed as female.
Bowen Yang’s performance as Pfannee offers an idea of what form of Ken he could have played, had he been available to appear asone of the Kens inBarbie.The Kensemble was considered one of the best aspects of theBarbiemovie, thanks to the large variety of different Kens portrayed on screen. Had Yang been available to appear inBarbie,his comedic skills would have been perfectly utilized as part of the rivalry between Stereotypical Ken and Ken #2 andthe viral performance of"I’m Just Ken.“However, his exceptional performance inWickedmore than makes up for him missing out on 2023’sBarbieblockbuster.
Sources:NBC,Yahoo News,Pajiba
Wicked
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.
