Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (2025)

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Ariana Grande had a massive 2024, and it looks like 2025 will be just as exciting. Her two biggest projects from last year — Eternal Sunshine and Wicked — garnered a lot of critical acclaim, and with awards season kicking off, there’s major buzz around the star. And with Oscar nominations set to drop Jan. 23, Ariana’s acting career is a hot topic. In a recent conversation with Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast, Ariana spoke about her acting career, as well as a yet unreleased deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine. And after being questioned about some potential future roles, she revealed her own top pick for a casting in an upcoming Disney live-action remake. Hercules is yet another Disney animated classic to be joining the influx of upcoming live-action remakes, with Marvel masterminds the Russo brothers reportedly set to produce. And fans are already speculating about casting choices. While there are currently no confirmed stars attached to the upcoming movie, fans have been conversing and speculating since the film was announced. Last summer, rumors were circulating that Disney was eyeing pop star Dua Lipa to play Megara — Hercules’s sultry-voiced love interest. As well as Dua Lipa, there were also many rumors that Ariana — a longtime fan cast — was being considered by the studio for Meg. And especially after Ari’s Actors on Actors conversation with Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal in December, some fans have pointed out that Ariana and Paul would be a perfect double choice for Meg and Hercules. When asked about the Hercules remake in her latest conversation with Variety, Ari cleared up the rumors, saying, “I have seen some of that,” referring to the fan casting online. “But it’s never been an actual discussion,” she confirmed. "I do think that I would be remiss if I didn’t say this…” she continued. “I think [Elizabeth] Gillies should be Megara.” “She’s brilliant. Ugh, god. That would be a fantastic role for her,” Ariana concluded. “As much as I really love transforming for a role, and I do love the idea of, you know, a darker sort of — ‘c’ asterisk ‘unty’ role like Megara […] I think Liz Gillies should be Megara,” Ari explained. Ariana then started riffing that instead, she should play Danny DeVito’s character in the remake. Yeah, you heard right — the satyr. I don’t know about you, but I’d pay good movie theater money to see Glinda as Philoctetes. Honestly, if Disney bosses are having to choose between these absolute powerhouses, I’m glad I’m not in their shoes. I’d love to hear your top pick, though. LMK down below. References


    While Ariana has been a popular fan cast for Megara since the Hercules live-action was announced, it seems she has her own take on who the role should go to.

    by Ziya JaffreyBuzzFeed Staff

    Ariana Grande had a massive 2024, and it looks like 2025 will be just as exciting.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (2)

    Mike Coppola / Getty Images

    Her two biggest projects from last year — Eternal Sunshine and Wicked — garnered a lot of critical acclaim, and with awards season kicking off, there’s major buzz around the star.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (3)

    Ian West - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images

    So far, Ariana has received Golden Globe and SAG award nominations for her performance as Glinda, and three Grammy nominations for her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine.

    And with Oscar nominations set to drop Jan. 23, Ariana’s acting career is a hot topic.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (4)

    Axelle / FilmMagic

    In a recent conversation with Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast, Ariana spoke about her acting career, as well as a yet unreleased deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine. And after being questioned about some potential future roles, she revealed her own top pick for a casting in an upcoming Disney live-action remake.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (5)

    Axelle / FilmMagic

    Hercules is yet another Disney animated classic to be joining the influx of upcoming live-action remakes, with Marvel masterminds the Russo brothers reportedly set to produce. And fans are already speculating about casting choices.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (6)

    Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images for National Board of Review

    While there are currently no confirmed stars attached to the upcoming movie, fans have been conversing and speculating since the film was announced. Last summer, rumors were circulating that Disney was eyeing pop star Dua Lipa to play Megara — Hercules’s sultry-voiced love interest.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (7)

    Kevin Mazur / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    As well as Dua Lipa, there were also many rumors that Ariana — a longtime fan cast — was being considered by the studio for Meg.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (8)

    Taylor Hill / Getty Images

    And especially after Ari’s Actors on Actors conversation with Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal in December, some fans have pointed out that Ariana and Paul would be a perfect double choice for Meg and Hercules.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (9)

    John Nacion / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

    When asked about the Hercules remake in her latest conversation with Variety, Ari cleared up the rumors, saying, “I have seen some of that,” referring to the fan casting online. “But it’s never been an actual discussion,” she confirmed.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (10)

    Jc Olivera / Penske Media via Getty Images

    "I do think that I would be remiss if I didn’t say this…” she continued. “I think [Elizabeth] Gillies should be Megara.”

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (11)

    Gabriel Olsen / Getty Images

    “She’s brilliant. Ugh, god. That would be a fantastic role for her,” Ariana concluded.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (12)

    Angela Weiss / Getty Images

    "Do you know my friend Liz Gillies?” Ari asked, referring to her costar on the hit showVictorious,which aired on Nickelodeon from 2010 to 2013. The two have maintained their friendship years after the show reached its conclusion — and knowing this makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

    “As much as I really love transforming for a role, and I do love the idea of, you know, a darker sort of — ‘c’ asterisk ‘unty’ role like Megara […] I think Liz Gillies should be Megara,” Ari explained.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (13)

    John Lamparski / Getty Images

    If you’re like me and you grew up watchingVictorious, you’ll remember Elizabeth Gillies’s incredible performance as the beautiful and terrifying Jade West: the show’s resident edgy queen. And while Ari definitely has the acting chops to switch it up for a character like Meg, it’s not hard to picture Elizabeth Gillies absolutelydevouringthe role.

    Ariana then started riffing that instead, she should play Danny DeVito’s character in the remake. Yeah, you heard right — the satyr. I don’t know about you, but I’d pay good movie theater money to see Glinda as Philoctetes.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (14)

    Emma Mcintyre / Variety via Getty Images

    She then started singing Phil’s character song, which was super impressive because I don’t know anyone who actually remembers that song. No shade to my glorious king Danny DeVito, of course.

    Honestly, if Disney bosses are having to choose between these absolute powerhouses, I’m glad I’m not in their shoes. I’d love to hear your top pick, though. LMK down below.

    Ariana Grande Nominated “Victorious” Costar Elizabeth Gillies For The Live-Action “Hercules” (2025)

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