Streep 'confirmed' as The Witch in WOODS film

[fingerlakessinger]

This is gonna be fantastic!
And I'm sorry...Streep is "not" beautiful?
LOL. That's funny.

[silent]

I hope this isn't true. Good grief, can someone else in Hollywood get a role besides Streep? She and Anne Hathaway need to stay away from musicals! Or any other "major" star who can barely sing.

[Jungle Red]

Did anyone read my post about her work history? Sheesh!

[Jungle Red]

"Gummer girl"

You mean Meryl's daughter?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I sincerely hope Alison Janney's part in the film is soley a speaking part. I'm still in therapy to recover from the shock of hearing A.J. in the 9 To 5 Broadway recording. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Was it 100% confirmed that Sarah Hyland will play Little Red? I heard her sing "Say The Word" at the Kerrigan-Lowwdermilk concert in L.A. and I thought she sounded great!

[larrystyles]

yawn..... more white people

[ThatBitc]

Oh how i cannot wait to read this thread come the films debut!
Other then that. This is a great score and the naysayers are thinking about the feeling that you get from a trained or great singer. Not just throw *BIG NAME AS WITCH* in the role.

I don't care how many times Streep has sung. She doesnt make albums.

The film is already sold!

[ComingUpRoses2]

I have no doubt that Streep will be able to sing the score. If not in the original keys, then in the Vanessa Williams keys (which, sometimes, I like even better. Gives it a darker feel.)

She's not the most ideal choice in the world, but it really is about how they style her. I can see her pulling off the glam as she did in Devil Wears Prada, She-Devil, and Death Becomes Her.

Truly, I'm more concerned with the casting of the Baker and his wife. Those two are the heart of the show and a bad choice can throw the whole show out of whack.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

"Truly, I'm more concerned with the casting of the Baker and his wife. Those two are the heart of the show and a bad choice can throw the whole show out of whack."

I'm with you, ComingUpRoses. Keep Dennis O'Hare far away from this project. And Hugh Jackman for that matter.

[Jordan Catalano]

"yawn..... more white people"

You do know that's actually a blatantly racist statement, right?

[devonian.t]

my avatar- London witch

[Jungle Red]

The Baker needs to be someone not so attractive. He needs to be adorable and cute but not hot. Hugh Jackman is sexy. It ain't a workin'!

"white people"

Because Black people don't act?

[best12bars]

I'll bet Rob Marshall wasn't exactly excited at the prospect of Catherine Zeta Jones as the Witch. She wanted the part of Claudia expanded in "Nine" and ultimately quit the project because he wouldn't agree to it.

I'll bet he pictured a similar scenario with Into the Woods, and didn't even want to go there. That "loyalty card" got used up during preproduction of his last film musical.

As far as "black people," I think it would be interesting (and I see no reason why not) to cast Jack and his mother as African Americans. I could see Octavia Spencer as Jack's Mother, definitely.

[SueleenGay]

"If she could handle ABBA music in 'Mamma Mia' and she took opera lessons when she was younger, then I am sure that she be great. "

But she COULDN'T handle the ABBA music...even with auto tune. Many people take opera lessons when they are young, doesn't mean they were any good, just that they had an interest and the money.

[best12bars]

Meryl can sing Stay With Me and Last Midnight and Children Will Listen.

Operatic training? This isn't the Ring Cycle or the Queen of the Night's aria.

She'll be fine. And she'll not only bring movie audiences in to see her play the Witch, she'll attract other acting talent who "just have to be in a Meryl Streep movie before they die."

I would look for other A-list actors clamoring to be in this movie now.

[themysteriousgrowl]

This is pretty thrilling news. I hope it's true.

[best12bars]

I'm more interested in seeing her "hag up" and do the Witch's Rap at the beginning. I'll bet she bites into it like nobody has before.

[HoldThatThought]

I think Streep will be fine - you know she'll work it. If you didn't mind her in Mama Mia or Alice at the Palace, then you can't be disappointed. Right?

Meryl Streep's Alice

[doodlenyc]

I think this is great news!! I think she'll be terrific, as usual. I have no problem with Streep getting any job that she does, because she's always great. I wasnt thrilled with Mamma Mia, but it wasnt her fault as much as the direction, which was terrible. I'm still sad she didnt get to play Mrs. Lovett.

She can definitely sing this role. I have no idea why anyone would prefer CZJ.

I do agree that the casting of the baker and his wife are critical. I'd love to see Ewan McGregor and Toni Colette.

[Jordan Catalano]

I still say it should have been Michelle Pfeiffer.

[Michael Bennett]

I would love to have seen Michelle Pfeiffer as the Witch; I so wish she would get a really prime role at this point in her career - why don't we see more of her?

But as for the semantics of the casting for the film, I know Streep was the first choice and no one else was seriously considered. That is no slam to Zeta and some of the other actors mentioned in this thread (I don't believe there is any bad blood between she and Rob Marshall over her withdrawal from NINE) but Streep is simply the "Hugh Jackman" this project needed to be greenlit. There isn't any other female movie star with the prestige and box office power to compare (Zeta's recent box office has been especially lack luster) and to produce a 100 million dollar musical in this day and age, that is simply what's required to get the financing.

I have heard some rumblings about the other casting and its interesting and makes sense. There have been several very "A" list actors who have been offered roles (or have pursued them) and I think it could end up being rather exciting.

I think Streep by the way, will be wonderful.

[Jordan Catalano]

"I would love to have seen Michelle Pfeiffer as the Witch; I so wish she would get a really prime role at this point in her career - why don't we see more of her?"

Pfeiffer is on record saying how hard it is for her to get work. It's really sad since I think she's one of the most underappreciated actresses we have.

[Wynbish]

And she played a great witch in Stardust

[PurpleFanta]

I suffered through Hope Springs for Meryl Streep, so I'll happily see her in one of my favorite musicals.

I would be very onboard with Kendrick as Cinderella. I remember when Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery had an audition tape that was leaked awhile back, and I was really surprised with how strong of a singer she was. I would definitely be happy to see her in a big movie musical.

[Jungle Red]

I love Michelle too but she's already played a terrific witch. I don't know if shed want to play another one. Same with Susan Sarandon.