Update: Sondheim walked back some of the rumored changes in a clarification. We’ll see what the final version looks like this Xmas.
Disney has a movie version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods” musical currently in production. It has a great list of names starring and on the crew. Included in the production are original composer Stephen Sondheim and the original writer James Lapine. So, when Sondheim mentions at a recent master class that the movie will be changing around some significant portions of the stage version for the movie musical, you have to believe that the film is in good hands.
According to a story in Broadway.com,
“‘You will find in the movie that Rapunzel does not get killed’ Sondheim revealed to the attendees, ‘and the Prince does not sleep with the Baker’s Wife.’ Additionally, the composer revealed that the number “Any Moment” has been ‘probably cut.’ He went on to say, ‘I won’t tell you what happens, but we wrote a new song to cover it.’ Sondheim also discussed Disney’s objections to the sexual nature of the Wolfe and Little Red Riding Hood’s story, suggesting that those scenes may be a bit more tame than on stage”
I don’t think anyone is surprised that Disney would request some of the less child friendly elements of the play be removed. If Sondheim and Lapine agreed to do the project, they must have known that too and are confident the movie will still retain the spirit of the original.
Disney’s Into the Woods is scheduled to hit theaters this Christmas.
Below the cut is a list of many of the big named actors from the stage and screen who will be in the film:
The all-star ensemble cast includes:
· Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “August: Osage County”) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.
· Emily Blunt (“Looper,” “The Young Victoria,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.
· James Corden (Broadway’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Gavin & Stacey”) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.
· Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Up in the Air”) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.
· Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Jack Ryan”) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.
· Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “The Lone Ranger,” “Sweeney Todd”) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.
· Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way.
· Daniel Huttlestone (“Les Misérables”) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans.
· Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.
· Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago” “The Good Wife”) takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she’ll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince.
· MacKenzie Mauzy (“Brother’s Keeper,” Broadway’s “Next to Normal”) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.
· Billy Magnussen (Broadway’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The East”) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.
Celebrated actors from the stage and screen fill the supporting roles, including Tammy Blanchard (“Blue Jasmine,” “The Good Shepherd”) and Lucy Punch (“Bad Teacher,” “Dinner for Schmucks”) as Cinderella’s spoiled stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda. Richard Glover (“Sightseers,” “St. Trinian’s”) is the Princes’ royal steward, Frances de la Tour (“Hugo,” “Alice In Wonderland”) portrays the giant, and Simon Russell Beale (“The Deep Blue Sea”) is the Baker’s father. Actress Joanna Riding (“My Fair Lady,” “Carousel”) portrays Cinderella’s late mother, and Little Red Riding Hood’s beloved granny is played by Annette Crosbie (“Calendar Girls,” “The Slipper and the Rose”).