Disney’s highly-anticipated theatrical version of Into the Woods started production last week, with Rob Marshall directing the film based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical.
Into the Woods is a twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales that intertwines plots of a few stories and explores the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. The story follows the tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel and all are tied together by an original story that involves a baker and his wife and their wish to start a family, and their interaction with a witch and her curse.
The all-star cast includes Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) as the Witch, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean films) as the wolf who sets his sights on Red Riding Hood, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) as the Baker’s Wife, and James Corden (Broadway’s One Man, Two Guvnors) as the Baker. Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) plays Cinderella, Chris Pine (Star Trek: Into Darkness) is Cinderella’s Prince Charming, and Daniel Huttlestone (Les Miserables) is Jack.
Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s Annie), Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), MacKenzie Mauzy (Brother’s Keeper), and Billy Magnussen (Boardwalk Empire) also star in the film.
The Broadway musical featured music by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay for the film, and composer Stephen Sondheim who provides the music and lyrics, including an all new song for the film.
The film version will include songs from the stage including “Children Will Listen,” “Giants in the Sky,” “On the Steps of the Palace,” “No One is Alone,” and “Agony.”
Into the Woods debuted on Broadway on November 5, 1987, and ran for 764 performances. It won Tony Awards for best score, best book, and best actress in a musical.
The film version of Into the Woods is slated for a December 25, 2014 release.
