According to Variety, NBC has found an appropriately big enough star to be the lead in its live presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar, with John Legend signing on to play iconic messiah figure Jesus Christ. In a statement, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said that he’s “overjoyed” to have a “world-class musical artist” like Legend on board, adding that the musical’s score “demands a singer with an amazing range and an actor with great depth,” so there “isn’t anyone” better suited to this production than Legend. Greenblatt also noted that this casting is “groundbreaking” in the way it differs from “the traditional image of Christ,” which is probably a reference to the fact that Jesus is typically depicted with long hair, while Legend usually has short hair. Given how undeniably talented and successful Legend is, though, we can’t imagine anyone having a real issue with this.
Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert will premiere on NBC on April 1, and though most of the cast still hasn’t been announced, we do know that Alice Cooper will be playing King Herrod.