Cynthia Erivo, fresh off her gravity-defying performance as Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, has her sights set on another iconic role: Storm, the powerful weather-manipulating mutant from the X-Men comics.
At the National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York City, Erivo revealed her interest in portraying Storm. "I really want to play Storm," she said when asked about her next role. "I think we haven't fully explored the depth of her character, the grandness of her powers, and the inner turmoil she faces. I believe there's a great opportunity to do something special with that."
Storm, also known as Ororo Munroe, has had a rich and complex life in the X-Men comics, from a street thief in Cairo to a revered goddess in Africa and even the Queen of Wakanda as Black Panther's wife. Despite being one of the most powerful mutants, Storm struggles with debilitating claustrophobia, stemming from a childhood trauma when she was trapped under rubble with her parents' bodies.
The character has previously been portrayed by Halle Berry in the X-Men films (2000-2014) and by Alexandra Shipp in the prequel films (X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix). However, with Disney's acquisition of the X-Men franchise, Storm is poised to enter a new era within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Marvel Studios has hinted at an upcoming "new age of mutants," with Secret Wars expected to usher in a fresh chapter for the X-Men in live-action films. Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, teased that fans will soon see familiar X-Men characters make their return in the MCU, including possibly Storm.
Erivo is not the only celebrity to express interest in playing Storm. Singer and actress Janelle Monáe also revealed her desire to take on the role, stating it has always been one of her dreams. Monáe, like Erivo, admires the previous portrayals of Storm but is eager to make her own mark on the iconic character.
For Erivo, the success of Wicked, which continues to perform well at the box office, puts her in a prime position for the role. With Wicked: For Good coming in 2025, Erivo and her co-star Ariana Grande are among the most sought-after talents in Hollywood, leaving their future roles, like that of Storm, wide open for possibility.
The sky truly is the limit for Erivo—whether or not she lands the role of Storm.
Source: Entertainment Weekly