Pass The Popcorn: Mary J. Blige & Queen Latifah Sign On For NBC's 'The Wiz' Reboot
It appears that NBC's aspiration of revamping The Wiz are finally being realized, tapping two multi-dimensional artists for key roles in the anxiously anticipated reboot. Mary J. Blige signs on as Eveline, the Wicked Witch Of The West (a role formerly held by the incomparable Mabel King) while Queen Latifah is set to take on Richard Pryor's old role in the Motown musical, grabbing the reigns of the production's namesake character, the Wiz, both joining legend of r&b and Broadway Stephanie Mills, who is currently cast as Auntie-Em (a role held by Theresa Merritt in the original production.) The live musical production is still searching for its Dorothy, but is eyeing a December 3rd broadcast date nonetheless. At this point, there's really no telling how this incarnation will stack up against its iconic original, but with such a high-powered cast already in the fold, it's shaping up to be a proper reboot treatment of a film that left its mark on the golden generation, and even more, pop culture at large. Keep your eyes and ears on us for updates on the production as we creep closer to its broadcast.
