Lin-Manuel Miranda 'Really Wanted' a Cameo in “Wicked, ”but Admits 'It Would've Been Distracting'

Lin-Manuel Miranda is revealing more details about missing out on a role in Wicked.

The three-time Tony winner stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday, Feb. 3, where he dished about trying to land a cameo as the role of "Skeptical Munchkin" in Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of the Broadway musical.

After quipping that the story has "gotten blown away out of proportion," Miranda, 45, admitted to host Stephen Colbert that he requested the role "as soon as" his former In the Heights collaborator Chu, 45, "got the gig" of Wicked director.

"My favorite line in the [stage] show is in the opening number, [when] this one Munchkin runs out and [asks Glinda], 'Is it true you were her friend?!' " said Miranda. " 'Cause, man, I don't know if you've seen a live production of Wicked, but sometimes they really put some sauce on the ball when they deliver that line. It's where the story starts."

"So I was like, 'I really wanna do that line, Jon.' And I was not cast," he added, laughing. "It would've been distracting."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Related: Amanda Seyfried 'Bent Over Backwards' to Audition for 'Wicked' Movie Role That Went to Ariana Grande

As Chu first revealed in the commentary for Wicked's digital edition, per Variety, Miranda wanted to play the Munchkinland citizen who, at the beginning of the movie, asks Glinda (Ariana Grande) of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), "Is it true you were her friend?"

“I got many calls from Lin. He might have even tweeted about it," recalled Chu, explaining that he said no as he thought a cameo from Miranda would be “too distracting.”

“Sorry, Lin!" the filmmaker added, per Variety.

Miranda did indeed tweet about wanting the role, which eventually went to actress Kirsty Anne Shaw, as seen in the final cut of the movie.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Related: 21 Celebrities You Might Not Know Starred in Wicked, from Sheryl Lee Ralph to Rue McClanahan

Sharing a New York Times article about the film treatment's early stages, when Stephen Daldry was attached as director, Miranda wrote all the way back in June 2016, "WICKED MOVIE! FINALLY."

He added in his post on X (formerly Twitter), "Dear Stephen Daldry: Can I play the guy who goes, 'Is it true you were her FRIEND?!' "

In his Monday interview with Colbert, 60, Miranda said "the young woman who does it in the movie," Shaw, "is great" and delivers the line "very earnestly."

"I would've done very Regina George Mean Girls like, 'Is it true you were her friend?' Didn't make the cut," he joked.

Wicked is now available to buy or rent on demand.

Read the original article on People