After the success of Hamilton, it seemed only a matter of time before Disney+ decided to bring more live shows to the masses. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long.
On July 30, Disney announced that it would be bringing the short-lived-but-beloved Broadway hit Once On This Island to people’s homes. Unlike Hamilton, though, it won’t be a filmed version of a stage production but rather a more traditional stage-to-screen adaptation, as In The Heights will be. Once On This Island follows the journey of Ti Moune, a feisty young peasant who falls in love with an aristocrat. With the help of the island gods, she sets out to find him and figure out if and how their love can work.
Naturally, the Internet is already casting this version, and fans have high hopes, many clamoring for a few veterans to return.
I would really like to have a word with any casting director that might have the gall to not cast Hailey Kilgore and Alex Newell in this Once on This Island movie. This revival didn’t win the Tony just to be DISRESPECTED like that https://t.co/Yryu86CA4v
— Cameron Downing (@calmdowning) July 30, 2020
No one seems to have higher hopes than Jordan Fisher, who REALLY wants to play Erzulie.
MANIFESTATION I WANNA PLAY ERZULIE IN THE DISNEY+ ADAPTATION OF MY FAVORITE MUSICAL ONCE ON THIS ISLAND PLEASE AND THANK YOU MANIFESTATION MANIFESTATION MANIFESTATION
— Jordan Fisher (@jordanfisher) July 30, 2020
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the show, Erzulie is a key player – indeed, the Goddess of Love. Lea Salonga, the woman who served as the singing voice for both Princess Jasmine and Mulan, brought the character to life in the 2017 revival of the show. Considering she’s Disney royalty, no one would be mad if she returned to the role for this adaptation. But if she doesn’t, and Jordan Fisher wants to jump in, we have just two words: LET. HIM.
After all, he clearly has the passion for the character and the show.
stg...I will purchase a beautiful pen, learn how to create my own ink from scratch and WALK to whatever offices I need to sign that contract, hennnyyyy
— Jordan Fisher (@jordanfisher) July 30, 2020
And we KNOW he has the skills for it. Let’s not forget, Fisher is no stranger to Broadway. The 26-year-old was in Hamilton himself, doing a short run as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. Before the global pandemic shut Broadway down for its 2020 season, Fisher was just starting a run as the eponymous role in Dear Evan Hansen, prior to that starring as Mark in FOX’s production of "Rent Live". And obviously, we can’t forget about this swoon-worthy moment that started it all for some fans:
In short: Jordan Fisher can make us swoon and break our hearts in the span of roughly five notes. His voice on “The Human Heart” would undoubtedly heal more than a few hearts.
Worth noting: the man’s getting married this year – something that would naturally play well into the whole “God of love” situation. Fisher has the voice, has the acting skills, has the soul – let him be Erzulie. Call it a belated wedding gift and bless us all, Disney+.