Disney’s ‘Into the Woods’ begins production and adds big names to cast

Capitalising on the recent Brothers Grimm revival, Disney have released production and cast details for Into the Woods – their new musical live-action feature, based on the Tony-winning original musical of the same name.

Into the Woods brings us “a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel — all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family, and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.“.

Production began in the UK last week and there are some pretty big names involved, including Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp. Rob Marshall, of Chicago and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides fame, directs.

No release date yet, but we’ll bring it to you as soon as it’s announced.

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Here’s the breakdown of the main cast and their characters:

Meryl Streep (Mama Mia) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.

Emily Blunt (Looper) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.

James Corden (The Three Musketeers) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.

Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.

Chris Pine (Star Trek Into Darkness) 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) 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 (The Tracey Ullman Show) joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mum who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.

Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!) 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) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.

Billy Magnussen (Boardwalk Empire) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.

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Does this sound like something you’d like to see? Anyone seen the musical?

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