Depraved: For Good will lastly be right here subsequent month, however there are nonetheless loads of surprises in retailer with this musical sequel. Director Jon M. Chu just lately teased {that a} well-known actor has recorded strains for the Cowardly Lion, however gave no indication of who this secret cameo will probably be.
Although the Lion’s position will reportedly be very temporary in Depraved: For Good, it is very thrilling to listen to that Chu is not going to neglect the character simply due to his restricted runtime. The primary Depraved film had cameos from Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, so it is truthful to imagine the Lion’s voice actor could have some hyperlink to musical theater.
Talking with Deadline, the filmmaker gave audiences their first trace about this cameo: “Man, wait till the pink carpet when the actor who gave us the Cowardly Lion’s voice steps foot on it. It will be wild.” He additionally confirmed that he reached out to the actor by social media, they usually had been instantly wanting to become involved.
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Hugh Jackman
Though it was teased in Depraved, the sequel will give a extra in-depth rationalization of the Cowardly Lion’s origin story – most notably, his connection to Elphaba earlier than the occasions of The Wizard of Oz. The character is revealed to be an older model of the lion whom Elphaba and Fiyero helped escape from Shiz College within the first film.
The model of the Lion in Depraved is far youthful than the one audiences will know from The Wizard of Oz, so it is smart that any individual older would tackle the position on this sequel. Hugh Jackman is an ideal candidate, as he is received hundreds of expertise in musical theater, and he is additionally a well-renowned film star in his personal proper.
Jackman definitely lives as much as the excessive profile that Chu was teasing, and it could make full sense for the actor to be keen to affix Depraved‘s beloved solid. He is appeared in among the most prolific film musicals of all time, from Les Misérables to The Biggest Showman, so this is able to be a wonderful notch for his belt.
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Nathan Lane
The Cowardly Lion has fairly a tragic backstory in Depraved, however most audiences will know the character for his comedic position within the unique Wizard of Oz. If the upcoming sequel needs to lean extra closely into that acquainted humorousness, any individual like Nathan Line could be an undeniably nice match for the position.
Lane has executed loads of voice work prior to now; he is greatest identified for enjoying characters similar to Timon in The Lion King, Snowbell in Stuart Little, and Luno in Spellbound. He is additionally executed loads of theater work, together with musicals similar to Guys & Dolls and The Producers. He is received all the mandatory credentials to suit into Depraved: For Good.
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Anthony Ramos
Picture by way of Disney+
There are only a few actors who’ve made a extra profitable transition from stage to display (whereas nonetheless holding onto their theater roots) than Anthony Ramos. His breakout position was John Laurens in Hamilton‘s unique Broadway run, and he is since acquired credit in Twisters, Ironheart, and A Star Is Born.
Ramos additionally led the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Within the Heights, which proved that he is able to bringing his musical skills to the massive display. If Depraved: For Good opts for a barely youthful interpretation of the Cowardly Lion (which is extra consistent with the remainder of the solid), he could possibly be a really thrilling selection.
The primary Depraved film felt like a grand celebration of musical theater as an entire, and Ramos has been a vocal champion of the artwork kind for a few years now. His involvement in Depraved: For Good would carry loads of eyes to the sequel, and there is not any doubt that he’d do an excellent job because the Cowardly Lion.
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Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper might not be the primary identify that involves thoughts when contemplating Depraved, however the actor has a really robust monitor report for turning up in tasks the place he is least anticipated. From his shock look in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves to his latest flip as Jor-El in James Gunn’s Superman, Cooper may be very conversant in cameos.
The Cowardly Lion appears like a really becoming character so as to add to this checklist. It isn’t the type of position that audiences usually affiliate Bradley Cooper with, but it surely offers him the proper alternative to precise his extra theatrical – even musical – facet. Cooper’s A-list Hollywood fame makes it straightforward to overlook that he is really a Tony-nominated stage actor, too.
When talking with Deadline, director Jon M. Chu additionally confessed that he was uncertain whether or not his desired actor would have time to play the Cowardly Lion due to how busy they’re. This undoubtedly appears like Bradley Cooper, whose schedule should have been very full final 12 months with directing duties for his newest undertaking, Is This Factor On?
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Ben Platt
Ben Platt is one other actor who’s made a seamless transition from stage to display in recent times, starting his profession in musical theater and subsequently transferring these abilities to Hollywood. He is greatest identified for his starring position in Pricey Evan Hansen, which he additionally performed within the 2021 film adaptation of the identical identify.
Since successful a Tony Award for enjoying Evan Hansen on stage, Platt has turn into a large identify within the musical theater group. He looks like precisely the type of particular person whose involvement in Depraved: For Good would make headlines and excite musical followers, which is clearly what Jon M. Chu intends to do with this cameo.
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Norbert Leo Butz
After seeing Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth’s cameos in Depraved, it solely appears truthful that Norbert Leo Butz would get his personal look within the film adaptation in some unspecified time in the future. He originated the position of Fiyero on Broadway, and went on to turn into a two-time Tony winner for his roles in Soiled Rotten Scoundrels and Catch Me If You Can.
Including Butz to Depraved‘s solid appears like a really becoming option to honor his contribution to musical theater and uphold his legacy as one in every of Depraved‘s foundational solid members. He clearly cannot play Fiyero anymore, since Jonathan Bailey is doing wonderful work in that position, however the Cowardly Lion is a really becoming side-step.
The one motive Butz is not the main contender for this cameo is that he isn’t that well-known amongst audiences, and most viewers would not acknowledge his voice because the Lion. This appears to go towards what Chu has beforehand mentioned about audiences going “loopy” on the pink carpet. Solely any individual with a better profile amongst film followers may illicit that response.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda has shortly turn into probably the most talked-about particular person in the complete musical theater business – and for good motive. His work on Within the Heights and Hamilton resulted in among the catchiest, most groundbreaking Broadway music in recent times, and he is continued to use his songwriting expertise to a number of different tasks.
Whether or not it is writing the songs for Disney’s Moana or directing Andrew Garfield to an Oscar nomination with Tick…Tick…Increase!, Miranda has persistently confirmed that musicals aren’t simply for musical theater followers. He is additionally received a really recognizable voice, which makes him the proper candidate for a vocal cameo because the Cowardly Lion.
Miranda was famously thought of for a cameo in Depraved however was finally turned down as a result of Jon M. Chu thought it could be too distracting. He was going to play one of many Munchkins within the movie’s prologue. Letting him play the Cowardly Lion might have been their compromise: he will get to be within the movie, however he will not bodily seem.
- Launch Date
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November 21, 2025
- Director
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Jon M. Chu
- Writers
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Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire