Ariana Grande, right, and Cynthia Erivo (not pictured) will star in a movie adaptation of “Wicked,” the musical inspired by Chittenango native L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” that originally starred Idina Menzel, left, and Kristin Chenoweth. (Getty Images file photo)

Ariana Grande to star in ‘Wicked’ movie

E! News reports Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are set to star in the “Wicked” movie, based on the hit musical inspired by Chittenango native L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The “Thank U Next” singer will play the good witch Glinda and the “Harriet” actress will play the wicked witch Elphaba for director Jon M. Chu. “Congrats to two amazing women,” said Idina Menzel, who won a Tony Award for her original performance as Elphaba. “May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us. So much love. @cynthiaerivo @arianagrande.” Filming is scheduled to begin next year.

‘Sons of Anarchy’ star dies

“Sons of Anarchy” star William Lucking is dead at 80, his wife announced Thursday. The actor, best known for playing biker Piney Winston on the FX series, died Oct. 18 at his home in Las Vegas, according to his obituary. “Although William often played toughs and strongmen, in his actual life he was an elegant man with a brilliant intellect who loved to argue about politics and current affairs, discuss philosophy and physics, and assert fine-pointed opinions about art and poetry. He was a giant of a man with the soul of a poet,” his wife wrote. Lucking’s credits over a five decades long career include “Star Trek Deep 9,” “The A-Team,” “The River Wild,” “Erin Brockovich,” “The West Wing,” “The X-Files,” “Columbo,” “Mission: Impossible,” “The Partridge Family,” “NYPD Blue,” “Lou Grant” and “Murder, She Wrote.”

Source: Syracuse.com