Billy Magnussen In Talks to Play Rapunzel's Prince in INTO THE WOODS Film

According to Deadline, 2013 Tony nominee Billy Magnussen is in talks to play Rapunzel's Prince in Rob Marshall's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical INTO THE WOODS. Magnussen would replace Jake Gyllenhaal, who recently dropped out to focus on his upcoming indie flick NIGHTCRAWLER.

Read the original report here.

The INTO THE WOODS cast features Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, and Chris Pine, with Anna Kendrick, Daniel Huttlestone, Tracey Ullman, James Corden, Megan Hilty and Christine Baranski in talks to join.

Rob Marshall's film, based upon Stephen Sondheim's classic musical, will hit theaters nationwide on December 25, 2014. Director of photography is Dion Beebe, who has previously worked with Marshall on the Oscar-winning Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago and Nine.

INTO THE WOODS is heading to London to begin shooting this September. James Lapine, the original book writer of INTO THE WOODS, is reworking the script for the screenplay, while Sondheim has also written new material for the film, including "Rainbows", a duet between the Baker and his Wife, as well as a new song for Streep as the Witch.

Into the Woods is a musical 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 in 1987. Into the Woods won several Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason), in a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera.

Magnussen's theatre credits include: Broadway: The Ritz, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike(LTC), Paper Dolls. Film: Twelve, Happy Tears, Damsels in Distress, 2nd Serve, Surviving Family, The Brass Teapot, The East, The Lost Valentine. Television: "Boardwalk Empire," "Blue Bloods," "Your Pretty Little Face is going to Hell," "In Plain Sight," "Law & Order," "Poopstains," "Law & Order: CI," "The Unusuals," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "CSI," "As the World Turns." Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is also a member of the rock band "Reserved for Rondee."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos