Into the Woods

[Suger Mag]

What fun... this is a great play, can't wait to see it on the big screen. I wonder if Disney got it because of copyright on characters or just good taste and deep pockets?

http://broadwayworld.com/article/INTO-THE-WOODS-Film-to-Hit-Theaters-Christmas-Day-2014-20130613

 

[Jedi]

I'm excited as long as they don't "Disneyfy" it to the point of it loosing most of its content

 

[Angel Ariel]

I am excited for this!! I have always been a Broadway nut, and I love the cast they have listed in the article. I'll definitely be in theatre for this in 2014!!

 

[Spacedog1975]

I can't fathom there being a copyright issue that lends it to Disney.
Just a good plan to adapt it.

Disney is pretty saavy. They know broadway folks don't like it when they muck with our shows.

 

[Greg K.]

Eons ago, not long after its initial Broadway run, the Jim Henson people were planning an adaptation.

With the talent they've assembled here, this will definitely not be a Muppet movie

 

[superme80]

Can some of these people even sing????? I love Christine Baranskii and I think she will be awesome. Why didn't they cast Megan Hilty as Cinderella or Rapunzel???? I think she would be much better suited for one of those roles. It looks like another musical I will watch in the privacy of my own home.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I watched this video of Emily Blunt singing and it's promising. I didn't know she could sing, but there's info in the comments that she's not exactly new to it. Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep have both had movie musical roles before (Sweeney Todd and Mamma Mia respectively). I found a few short clips on youtube of Jake Gyllenhaal singing that are promising (link 1 and 2)

Itunes has a single with Chris Pine singing. It's country and there's a bit of an accent, but I would assume he can reign in the accent since he doesn't have it in his movies. It's called Someday Came Today - there's enough to preview to get an idea of his voice, and it's pretty solid. I'm pretty sure Tracey Ullman has had singing roles before as well.

I'm still a bit skeptical of Blunt, Pine and Gyllenhaal since Sondheim is a far cry from what I found of them online, but I think it could be good!

 

[Suger Mag]

I like the casting so far, and I agree the acting is the crucial part... if it was live on stage would be a different story... but studio sound tinkering can do a lot to make singing sound better than in reality..and a lot of these folks probably have had or will have some quality voice training. It can be done and very successfully too, look at the recent movie version of Les Mis for example...

 

[superme80]

I watched this video of Emily Blunt singing and it's promising. I didn't know she could sing, but there's info in the comments that she's not exactly new to it. Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep have both had movie musical roles before (Sweeney Todd and Mamma Mia respectively).2[/URL])

See I heard both of them sing those roles and thought they were horrible. The Witch is such a difficult part vocally. I honestly do not think she is up to the task. And Tracy Ullman is a fantastic character actress/singer. She will be fine.

I like the casting so far, and I agree the acting is the crucial part... if it was live on stage would be a different story... but studio sound tinkering can do a lot to make singing sound better than in reality..and a lot of these folks probably have had or will have some quality voice training. It can be done and very successfully too, look at the recent movie version of Les Mis for example...

I dislike the "fixing" of voices. Just cast people who can sing. If your actors can't sing get someone to sing for them. It worked in the 50s and 60s.

 

[mrsR123]

Hmmm. Not sure about Emily Blunt; the video was better than I would have guessed. I'd love to see Amy Adams and Bernadette Peters, though.

 

[tiki23]

I dislike the "fixing" of voices. Just cast people who can sing. If your actors can't sing get someone to sing for them. It worked in the 50s and 60s.

Audrey Hepburn did not sing in "My Fair Lady." Natalie Wood did not sing the iconic song in "West Side Story." Deborah Kerr did not sing in "The King and I."

Those movie musicals, and many others, were dubbed.

 

[abinormal]

Deleted for duh.

 

[superme80]

Audrey Hepburn did not sing in "My Fair Lady." Natalie Wood did not sing the iconic song in "West Side Story." Deborah Kerr did not sing in "The King and I."

Those movie musicals, and many others, were dubbed.

Which is why I said get someone to sing for them. I know they did not sing those roles. But back in the 50s and 60s they had someone sing for them who could closely follow their voice. It was very difficult, but made the roles that much more rewarding. You had 2 talented people playing those roles.

 

[starrynightrose]

I love this musical! I've seen the DVD of a broadway production many times and while I loved Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia, I think if would be better to bring back Bernadette Peters for the role of the Witch. Her or Vanessa Williams (of Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives), I have a revival cast recording with her as the Witch and she was awesome as well.

 

[CitrusStorm]

Saw a version of this for one of my English literature classes. I'd love to see what Disney could do with it.

 

[Spacedog1975]

I for one do not prefer dubbing when it comes to film adaptations of musicals, nor do I prefer name actors that are "just ok" singers. I prefer proper broadway capable actors.

As much as I love "My Fair Lady" it likely would have been better if Julie Andrews were in it, and has a lot to do with why Julie Andrews won the academy award for Mary Poppins.

I'd had loved Disney to do a film adaptation of AIDA with the original cast, but they have waited long enough that they are likely aged out of that potential. Not that they weren't talking Beyonce instead of Heather Headley even while Heather was getting her Tony.

 

[darnheather]

Love this one! I watched the stage production again recently with my kids on Netflix. Fun.

 

[superme80]

I for one do not prefer dubbing when it comes to film adaptations of musicals, nor do I prefer name actors that are "just ok" singers. I prefer proper broadway capable actors.

As much as I love "My Fair Lady" it likely would have been better if Julie Andrews were in it, and has a lot to do with why Julie Andrews won the academy award for Mary Poppins.

I'd had loved Disney to do a film adaptation of AIDA with the original cast, but they have waited long enough that they are likely aged out of that potential. Not that they weren't talking Beyonce instead of Heather Headley even while Heather was getting her Tony.

Talk about ruining that one! I agree with you, but since they won't cast she movie with good singers I would rather they be dubbed.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Talk about ruining that one! I agree with you, but since they won't cast she movie with good singers I would rather they be dubbed.

I spoke to Heather on the night of the last preview and the night before it opened. I was certain she was going to win the Tony. I then saw her twice more, including her farewell performance.

I would rather they did an animated adaptation with her voice than a live adaptation with Beyonce.

 

[superme80]

I spoke to Heather on the night of the last preview and the night before it opened. I was certain she was going to win the Tony. I then saw her twice more, including her farewell performance.

I would rather they did an animated adaptation with her voice than a live adaptation with Beyonce.

So jealous you have spoken to her. She is one of my favorites! If they could do an animated that would be amazing. I love the music.