We bring you the facts about Disney’s latest musical…
INTO THE WOODS is released in Irish cinemas this week, and stars Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt and Chris Pine. The film is a reimagining of popular fairytales, and Movies.ie gathered together the facts about the big screen musical for your reading pleasure…
1. From Stage to Screen
INTO THE WOODS is the big screen adaptation of the stage show with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway on November 5, 1987.
2. Get Lost!
According to Anna Kendrick, the set pieces used for the woods were so big and realistic that she and Chris Pine actually got lost while on the sound stage and were eventually rescued by a production assistant.
3. Musical Career
Daniel Huttlestone, who plays Jack in INTO THE WOODS, previously played Gavroche in Tom Hooper’s LES MISERABLES.
4. Adaptation
INTO THE WOODS is only the second theatrical film adaptation of a Broadway play or musical produced by The Walt Disney Company. The first was BABES IN TOYLAND in 1961, which was an adaption of the Victor Herbert operetta.
5. Irony
Emily Blunt plays the Baker’s Wife in INTO THE WOODS; a character who cannot have children due to magical means. Ironically, Emily Blunt was pregnant during filming.
6. Second Time Around
Johnny Depp previously had a role in a big screen musical; SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. Coincidentally, this was also an adaptation of a Stephen Sondheim stage musical.
7. Bad Witch
After turning 40, Meryl Streep says she was offered three witch roles in one day, and she implemented a ‘no witches’ rule. Streep broke her own rule for INTO THE WOODS, after meeting lyricist Stephen Sondheim and director Rob Marshall.
8. What’s in a name?
James Corden and Emily Blunt play characters simply called ‘The Baker’ and ‘The Baker’s Wife’. Since the characters lack proper names, Blunt and Corden referred to them as ‘Margery and Geoff’ while on set.
9. Darkness and Death
Due to the original musical’s adult themes and dark content, Disney had several scenes omitted or revised, which resulted in a re-written subplot involving Rapunzel as well as several deaths being implied by being moved off screen.
10. When Can I See It?
INTO THE WOODS is released in Irish cinemas on January 9th 2015
Words: Brogen Hayes