Ariana Grande, who received rave reviews for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked, recently responded to ongoing speculation about her involvement in Disney’s live-action Hercules. Fans had long been casting her as Megara, a role that has sparked excitement following her viral performance of “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” during a Disney Family Singalong in 2020.
In a recent interview on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, the pop superstar explained the rumors with humor. “It’s funny because I grew up singing the Muses’ parts. I’ve seen some of the speculation, but it’s never been an actual conversation,” Ariana said. “I was always the little girl singing the background,” she added, reflecting on her childhood connection to the music of Hercules.
While she didn’t dismiss the idea of playing Megara, Ariana suggested that someone else might be a better fit for the role. “As much as I love transforming for a role – and I do enjoy the idea of a darker, more complex role like Megara – I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I believe [Elizabeth] Gillies should be Megara,” she said, praising her Victorious co-star for her suitability for the iconic character.
Grande also shared her thoughts on who could be a perfect fit for the role of Hercules. After fans suggested actor Paul Mescal for the part, Ariana responded with enthusiasm: “He’d be a great Hercules too.”
The buzz around Ariana playing Megara began after her 2020 performance of “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” during the Disney Family Singalong. The cover was met with widespread praise, and fans quickly began to fan-cast her as the fiery heroine from Hercules.
Disney has confirmed the development of the live-action Hercules, which will be directed by Guy Ritchie. However, the release date for the highly anticipated film remains unannounced.
Although Ariana Grande hasn’t confirmed her involvement in the project, her candid discussion about the rumors shows her genuine excitement for the idea of the role—just not for her. Fans will have to wait and see whether their dream casting comes true.
