Hunky gay actor voices Wicked: For Good’s Cowardly Lion in Sweden
The Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good will be played by…. (Universal Pictures)
The Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good will be played by.... (Universal Pictures)
It might be time to learn a new language because the dubbed Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good in Sweden is voiced by an actor who happens to be gay and rather attractive.
Cue the “Oh no, he’s hot” memes, or should that be “Åh nej, han är het”?
Wicked: For Good, the second part of Jon M Chu’s adaption of Broadway and West End hit musical Wicked, itself adapted from Gregory Maguire’s dark fantasy version of the original Wizard of Oz story by Frank L Baum, opened in cinemas last week.
The second part concludes the story and has already set a new record for a film adaptation of a Broadway musical at the box office, leaving even the first instalment in its wake after grossing $226 million (£173 million) worldwide on its opening weekend.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good, with People’s sexiest man alive Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
Ahead of the film’s release, it was revealed that the cast had become even more queer when it was announced that gay actor Colman Domingo would be voicing the Cowardly Lion. However, if you speak Swedish – or are willing to learn – you are in for another treat because the actor who voices the character on screens in Sweden is also gay.
Andreas Wijk, a model, actor and singer who gained attention when he released the song “If Was Gay” in 2022, shared the news on his Instagram, writing: “I still can’t believe I get to say this. I’m officially part of Wicked: For Good, a musical that has meant so much to so many people for so many years and now I get to step into that world too.
“When I saw my first Broadway musical in 2022, I had no idea it would set off this entire chain of events. I was dreaming about being on a stage like that but had no clue it would ever become reality. A month later, I was auditioning for Moulin Rouge, then suddenly playing the leading role for years.
“Then, out of nowhere, came this mysterious request about a ‘highly anticipated’ movie musical. I signed the contract before being told what the project was. Is that how this world works?
“Standing in the studio with the script in my hand, I finally got it confirmed: it was Wicked, one of the most iconic stories and soundtracks ever created.
“See you in the cinema. If you’re in Sweden… you’ll hear me as The Cowardly Lion.”
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