Beyonce to star in The Wiz? Orange Is The New Black actress Uzo Aduba could take her place

She is unmatched when it comes to performing live concerts so it is no surprise that superstar Beyonce is rumoured to be starring in NBC's live production of The Wiz. However, the Flawless singer may have some stern competition from a certain Orange Is The New Black actress.

According to Us Weekly, Beyonce, 33, has been in talks with producers to play Glinda the good witch in the forthcoming live musical while other reports suggest she has already been offered the role. It is thought that the 7/11 songstress is yet to accept the role but E! News claims the network is also considering another actress.

Uzo Aduba, who plays Crazy Eyes in the Netflix series, is reportedly in talks to play the same character with showrunners impressed by her previous Broadway credits, which includes starring in the reboot of Godspell from 2011 to 2012. Fans may not realise but Aduba, 34, is said to be a talented singer explaining her position in the running.

If Beyonce does sign up to play Glinda, she would be carrying on the tradition of the actresses who have taken on the role before her. Grammy-winning jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater was the first to play the character on Broadway in 1975, while fellow Grammy awards alum Lena Horne took over in the 1978 movie. Beyonce has plenty in common with her predecessors with 20 Grammys under her belt and recognition as the most nominated female singer in history.

The chart-topper would be in good company in Wiz as r'n'b singer Mary J Blige and rapper-turned-actress Queen Latifah have already been confirmed to play the wizard and Evelline, the wicked witch of the west, respectively.

The reports coincide with claims that the former Destiny's Child star is planning on relaunching her acting career with hopes to land an Oscar-worthy role. It is believed the singer relocated from New York to Los Angeles with her husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy earlier in 2015 to improve her chances of securing work. Speculation has also mounted that Queen Bey is in talks to star in an upcoming Marvel movie although it is not known which superheroine she would play.