Idina Menzel Gives Her 'Honest Answer' About Not Playing Elphaba in 'Wicked' Movie

“The answer is, yes, I’m very excited and I know it’s in great hands and I’ve sent so much love to Cynthia and Ariana and I’m there for them if they need me,” Idina told Broadway.com. “And yes, I’m a little sad that I’m just older and can’t play the role, you know? And that’s the honest truth.”

Idina said it’s “hard” that she’s not returning to the role.

“It’s the aging and the proprietorship of the role and what it means to me and how it changed my life. I just love it, and I miss her, I guess, is what I’m trying to say,” Idina added.

She added, “Julie Andrews didn’t get to play Eliza in [the film version of] My Fair Lady, right? But then she had Sound of Music.”

Idina saw Wicked for the first time in years recently!