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Into The Woods Getting New Treatment from Composer and Writer

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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:

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Review: Disney’s Maleficent – Angelina Jolie Stars as Betrayed Fairy

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In the original Walt Disney Animated Classic “Sleeping Beauty” you get the feeling that the evil fairy Maleficent was more than just slighted at not getting an invite to Aurora’s christening. Instead, Maleficent was driven to the evil she became by some prior act. The new live-action version of that story, “Maleficent,” takes that idea and runs with it.

In the new film, movie-goers are entreated to learn another version of that story. One that flips the version you know and love on its head. A story of love, power, and misplaced trust that leads to betrayal of the deepest sort. The kind of betrayal that will cause one to do unspeakable things. Finally there is vengeance and the madness that comes from knowing you are the cause of your own sadness and loss.

As you can tell, these are some adult themes for a PG movie. The film never quite strikes the balance between telling a complicated story and presenting a movie the whole family can love. As such, it can seem a bit muddled at times. But it is a story that begs to be told and it features wonderful characters that we already know and are getting to learn more about. Aside from a few intense battle scenes, there is nothing in this film a family with mature 6 or 7 year olds, cannot enjoy together. Read More »Review: Disney’s Maleficent – Angelina Jolie Stars as Betrayed Fairy

Disney Teases Live Action Cinderella Movie for 2015

Disney released a teaser poster and the first trailer for “Cinderella” a live action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale. “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually dazzling spectacle for a whole new… Read More »Disney Teases Live Action Cinderella Movie for 2015

Marvel News Roundup – Life After The Winter Soldier

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There’s a lot of fun things going on in the world of Marvel, so let’s get to it.

Captain America opened up last week as number one in the box office (no surprise there). Opening with $92.6 million, the Winter Soldier now holds the record for the largest movie opening in April ever.

I don’t normally talk about rumors but this one is fun. At the St. Louis Comic-con, Nathan Fillion was asked if he would accept a role in Guardians of the Galaxy if he was asked. Besides being the epitome of a Joss Whedon alum, Fillion has also worked with Guardians’ director James Gunn on Castle. Here’s his response.

There was also a new clip from Guardians of the Galaxy on MTV.

The weekend of May 6, 2016 will be an interesting weekend at the box office. Marvel announced that Captain America 3 will open that weekend which is the same weekend as their Distinguished Competition’s Superman/Batman movie.Read More »Marvel News Roundup – Life After The Winter Soldier

How The Lightsaber Came to Star Wars

Who hasn’t dreamed of being a Jedi Knight with their own special powers and laser sword? There’s a new mini-documentary from Star Wars on the birth of the lightsaber, one of the coolest weapons ever conceived in film. Star Wars creator George Lucas, actor Mark… Read More »How The Lightsaber Came to Star Wars

Disney’s Frozen Now Number One Animated Film of All Time For Worldwide Box Office

If you hear loud crowing from Burbank this weekend, that’s Walt Disney Animation Studios justifiably cheering for the success of their 2014 hit animated feature “Frozen.” This weekend, Disney’s “Frozen” officially became the highest grossing animated film of all time blowing out all other animated… Read More »Disney’s Frozen Now Number One Animated Film of All Time For Worldwide Box Office