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Ncuti Gatwa and Cynthia Erivo Unite for Animated Musical 'Bad Fairies'
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
In a major development for animated musicals, Ncuti Gatwa and Cynthia Erivo are joining forces for Bad Fairies, a highly anticipated film that promises to shake up the traditional fairy tale genre. The project, a collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation, is currently in production and is set to hit theaters on May 21, 2027 .
Bad Fairies is described as an original musical comedy that follows a “delightfully subversive gang of fairies as they shake up their magical world” . Cynthia Erivo will voice Jayne Staplegun, a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion within the magical realm. Details about Gatwa’s character have not yet been revealed, but his involvement marks a significant step in his career following his acclaimed tenure as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who .
The film is directed by Megan Nicole Dong and Olivier Staphylas, with a screenplay by Deborah Frances-White. The musical score is being composed by Isabella Summers, known for her work with Florence + The Machine, and the soundtrack will feature songs by the Tony Award-winning duo Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, creators of the hit musical Six. Ian Eisendrath, who worked on the first Wicked film, is serving as executive music producer .
Bad Fairies is notable not only for its creative team but also for its commitment to LGBTQ+ representation. Both Gatwa and Erivo are prominent LGBTQ+ figures in the entertainment industry. Gatwa, who is openly gay, has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, while Erivo, a Black queer woman, has used her platform to champion diversity and inclusion in film and theater .
The film’s cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Colman Domingo, who will voice the Cowardly Lion. This ensemble brings together a diverse range of voices and experiences, further enriching the film’s potential impact on audiences .
Gatwa and Erivo recently shared a moment of camaraderie during a press tour for Erivo’s upcoming book, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much. Erivo posted an image on Instagram, captioning it, “A quick press tour intermission with 650 beautiful souls. Thank you for celebrating #SimplyMore with me and thank you @ncutigatwa for being the warmest host. It’s good to be back.” Gatwa shared the post, calling the night “pretty magical” and praising Erivo’s “artistry and talents” .
Bad Fairies is the first theatrical release born out of the new partnership between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation, signaling a promising future for innovative and inclusive storytelling in animation .
