BWW EXCLUSIVE: Starry INTO THE WOODS Reading Cast Revealed; Meryl Streep Expected to Join Film!

As reported back in June, Rob Marshall has made Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS his next project at Warner Bros/Disney - and a starry reading just has kicked the project off.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the cast of the screenplay reading, which took place yesterday, included (in alphabetical order): Nina Arianda as The Baker's Wife; Christine Baranski as the Stepmother; Tammy Blanchard as Florinda; Victoria Clark as Cinderella's Mother/Giant; James Corden as the Baker; David Garrison as the Narrator; Ivan Hernandez as the Wolf; Megan Hilty as Lucinda; Cheyenne Jackson as Rapunzel's Prince; Allison Janney as Jack's Mother; Anna Kendrick as Cinderella; Michael McGrath as the Steward/Baker's Father; Donna Murphy as the Witch; Laura Osnes as Rapunzel; Taylor Trensch as Jack; Casey Whyland as Little Red Riding Hood; and Patrick Wilson as Cinderella's Prince.

The cast for the film has not yet been announced, but BroadwayWorld has learned that stage and screen legend Meryl Streep is in talks to join the film as the Witch, but was unable to make the reading. 

James Lapine, the original book writer of INTO THE WOODS, is reworking the script for the screenplay, while Sondheim is expected to contribute some new songs.

Marshall's films have been honored with a total of 23 Academy Award nominations - winning nine, including Best Picture. His most recent film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, has grossed over one billion dollars at the worldwide box office becoming the "8th Highest Grossing Picture in History." He is currently developing "The Thin Man" starring Johnny Depp.

Marshall's film "Nine" was nominated for four Academy Awards, five Golden Globes and 10 Critics Choice Awards. His previous directorial efforts include the Academy Award-winning films "Chicago" and "Memoirs of a Geisha." For his work on "Chicago," winner of six Oscars including Best Picture, Marshall received the Directors Guild Award, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe Award nomination, a BAFTA nomination, The National Board of Review Award and the New York Film Critics Online Award, both for best directorial debut, as well as the American Choreography Award. His epic film "Memoirs of a Geisha" was the winner of three Oscars, three BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe. Both "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Chicago" were nominated for CAS Awards.

Marshall executive produced, directed and choreographed the NBC television event "Tony Bennett: An American Classic." He won his second Directors Guild Award for this production as well as three Emmy Awards himself for Direction, Choreography and Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. He directed and choreographed Disney/ABC's critically acclaimed movie musical "Annie," which received 12 Emmy nominations, a CAS nomination and won the prestigious Peabody Award. Former CAS President Edward L. Moskowitz commented, "It was to great to work with Rob Marshall on "Annie". Rob's depth of experience in live entertainment enhanced his inspirational leadership on the set and I am proud that the Cinema Audio Society has decided to honor him with our Filmmaker Award."

A six-time Tony Award nominee and George Abbott Award winner, Marshall's stage work includes co-directing and choreographing the worldwide award-winning Broadway production of "Cabaret" and directing and choreographing the Broadway revival of "Little Me," starring Martin Short. He made his Broadway choreographic debut with "Kiss of the Spider Woman," directed by Harold Prince, which also played London's West End and Vienna. He followed that with productions of "She Loves Me" on Broadway and London; "Damn Yankees" on Broadway, National Tour and London; Blake Edwards' "Victor/Victoria" on Broadway; "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on Broadway; "Company" on Broadway; "The Petrified Forest" at the New York Public Theatre, and "Promises, Promises" for City Center Encores! Additional choreography credits include the Disney/ABC movie musical "Cinderella" (Emmy nomination), the CBS movie musical "Mrs. Santa Claus"(Emmy nomination), and The Kennedy Center Honors (Kander & Ebb and Chita Rivera tributes).

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