Ask the Dust: According to Variety, Idina Menzel, who plays the green-face Wicked Witch in hit stage tuner "Wicked," has landed a co-starring role in the Robert Towne film Ask the Dust. Adapted from John Fante's Depression-era novel, the movie stars Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell.

Menzel will play Vera, who harbors an unrequited love for the Farrell character Arturo.

The film starts production this summer in South Africa.