We don’t talk enough about Jeff Goldblum as the wizard in ‘Wicked’ – Deseret News

Jeff Goldblum, who is known for his roles in “Jurassic Park”, “The Fly” and “Independence Day”, is now taking on a different kind of role: the Wizard in the movie musical “Wicked”.

Based on the Tony Award-winning musical of the same name, “Wicked” tells the backstories of – and unlikely friendship between – Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the South.

The Wizard, portrayed as somewhat duplicitous in “The Wizard of Oz,” is directly antagonistic in “Wicked” — and has a few musical numbers in the show, most notably the number “A Sentimental Man.”

Understandably, most of the buzz surrounding “Wicked” has been around the leads, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, as well as British actor Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. Bailey is best known for his role in “Bridgerton.”

There has been some talk of Goldblum as the Wizard, which is a little odd considering Goldblum isn’t known for his musical talent.

Fans may be surprised to learn that Goldblum is musically gifted — but not in the way they might expect.

What has Jeff Goldblum said about playing the Wizard in ‘Wicked’?

When discussing acceptance of the guide’s role on “The Tonight Show”, Goldblum said it was a “slam dunk”.

He also praised director Jon M. Chu as well as the performances of his co-stars Grande and Erivo. “When (Grande and Erivo) sing … they rock the house. They are deeply gifted,” Goldblum said.

In addition, in an interview with ColliderGoldblum said that being in “Wicked” was “a dream come true.”

He said: “All these cast members, and (Jonathan Bailey), to be with them and try to do something that we were all passionate about, you can’t get better than that. It’s just a dream come true .”

On the red carpet of the LA premiere of “Wicked,” Goldblum revealed why the film resonated deeply with him.

“I love what this movie is about. The world has to work for everyone, including every creature,” Goldblum shared Extra TV.

“And so when a few people … possessed … with the power of love unite, they can move the entire ship of state in a new direction,” he continued. “It’s a story for our time, I think.”

Can Jeff Goldblum even sing?

Although Goldblum doesn’t often take roles that require him to sing, he is can sing – and quite walkable.

Goldblum was required to sing something during his stint on “Glee,” the musical comedy-drama about a high school glee club. Along with Broadway singer Brian Stokes Mitchell, Goldblum guest-starred as one of Rachel Berry’s (Lea Michelle) fathers on the show, according to Playbill.

Goldblum did some singing on “Glee,” but not much.

But that’s not to say that Goldblum isn’t musically talented – in fact, he has his own jazz ensemble.

The ensemble, called The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, was formed when Goldblum “took a weekly stint playing jazz piano at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Angeles at the suggestion of fellow actor Peter Wells,” according to the radio station WRTI.

During his stay, Goldblum assembled the jazz band and called it The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. According to WRTI, Mildred Snitzer is a real person, but she’s not involved in the bad — “she’s a friend of Jeff’s parents, and he liked the sound of her name.”

Since Goldblum created The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago, “he and his band have performed to rapt audiences across the United States and around the world, playing contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American songbook standards,” according to Pittsburgh CLO.

The band has released three albums and several singles and currently has around 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.