Universal Pictures finally revealed who will play Elphaba's dearest teacher in the movie musical adaptation of "Wicked."
Emmy-winning actor Peter Dinklage has been cast as Dr. Dillamond, the goat professor at Shiz University, who took a fond liking to Elphaba.
Peter Dinklage Cast as Dr. Dillamond in 'Wicked: Part 1'
According to Entertainment Weekly, it has been announced in CinemaCon that Dinklage will voice Dr. Dillamond in the movie-musical adaptation of "Wicked."
As of this writing, it is not known whether Dinklage will also appear in "Wicked: Part 2," as his role has a prominent arc in Broadway's first act.
For those who do not know, Dr. Dillamond was an animal professor at Shiz University in the "Wicked" universe. Although the role is small, Dillamond's plight is crucial to Elphaba's discovery of the Wizard of Oz.
Dillamond, whose voice has been slowly taken away by the Wizard, warned Elphaba in the musical performance "Something Bad" about the rising dark forces threatening the speaking animals of Oz. In the performance, he struggles to control his speech, which turns his "bads" into bleats.
With Dr. Dillamond taking a fond liking to Elphaba as a prized student, Elphaba commits that she will talk to the Wizard to help him.
Dinklage's casting in the mega-musical film adds more star power to the already stacked cast. Dinklage's theatre credits will surely come in handy because he will be singing "Something Bad" with Tony-winning singer Cynthia Erivo, who will be playing Elphaba.
Academy Award-winning Michelle Yeoh is cast as Madame Morrible, along with the Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum. Grammy-winning singer Ariana Grande will be playing Glinda opposite Erivo.
READ MORE: Cynthia Erivo Hypes up Ariana Grande Vocals, Acting in Upcoming 'Wicked' Movie
Dr. Dillamond Casting Rumors
Fans have long speculated whose actor will play Dr. Dillamond. The likes of Keala Seattle, set to play a different role in the film, have been thrown into the mix. Some speculated that Seattle might play a gender-bent role character adjacent to Dillamond.
Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway, was the long-standing speculation for the gender-bent role.
It is important to note, though, that Entertainment Weekly reported that Dinklage's role in the film was only limited to a voice-acting role, so audiences might only see a CGI-generated character with Dinklage's iconic deep, raspy voice breathing life into Dr. Dillamond.
"Wicked: Part 1" will be released on Nov. 27, 2024.
READ ALSO: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Stun in Powerhouse 'Wicked' Cast Photos
