Looks like Rob Marshall's INTO THE WOODS Film Is Gonna Happen Sooner Rather

[Wynbish]

In a movie version of Into the Woods, would the narrator be seen? Standing in the forest talking to the camera? I know that they give him to the giant's mother, but they could cut that.

And if he is seen, will he double as Mysterious Man?

[FOAnatic]

As far as Jack is concerned:

If Chris Colfer comes anywhere near this, I will cry.

I wouldn't be suprised if they brought in Nick Jonas at least for a screen test. Though, all of the brothers seem to be shying away from their Disney past so they may not want any part in this. And, I don't even know if he's got the vocal range for it.

For Little Red:

Sarah Hyland? She's got the singing chops. Plus, she could nail the comedy of the role. And she's already got her Disney/ABC ties.

[nasty_khakis]

I think the film has a wide vary of casting options. The witch could be a sexy YOUNG Hathaway or Emma Stone or an older glamorous CZJ or Theron or Cotillard(and many others).

The Baker/Wife could be in their 40s and childless (Colin Firth/Tom Hanks, Winslet/Adams/Bullock. Or in their late 20s/30s and go with Gyllenhaal, Hathaway, etc.

Cinderella could be a real teen like a Lucy Hale or Sarah Hyland. She could be "I'm almost 30 and still live at home!" like again, Hathaway or Stone or Michelle.

I actually see Emma Stone as Little Red more, but he could also go with a younger or more plump or shorter or whatever.

Point is we can and have argued about this in many many threads. I myself am open to the casting options. I may not get all my dream choices and yes, Depp or someone else could end up awful and miscast, but I think there are more great options than my first pick.

[dreaming]

Sarah Hyland would be amazing! I totally love that idea!

I think Nick Jonas could be very good as Jack, actually.

[FOAnatic]

There was an article a while back that mentioned Rob Marshall took a meeting with Emma Stone.

I could definitely see her as Little Red.

That's honestly all I could see her as. She's a bit too raspy for Cindy or Rapunzel.

Don't get me wrong, I love her and I think she'd knock Little Red out of the park.

[dreaming]

I think she could be either Cindy or Rapunzel visually-don't know her singing voice well enough to know if she'd be good vocally.

[FOAnatic]

I disagree. Little Red needs to be a comedienne who can also convey the right pathos when necessary. I think that's ALL Stone.

Rapunzel? With those high notes? It's hard to judge her strictly by her speaking voice, but Stone's got a lower register. She doesn't strike me as a Soprano.

Maybe as Cinderella. But, again, they'd need to lower the keys for her.

[dreaming]

I think they will likely be lowering LOTS of these female keys. I don't know of very many Hollywood actresses who can handle those notes and are in that age bracket.

I think Hyland is a brilliant choice for Red, personally.

[LuvUrBatBoy]

Off the wall casting, and prob not a big enough role for her, but I think Melissa McCarthy would be a hilarious Jack's Mom, depending on the age of Jack.

[mikey2573]

I assume that Marshall will cut the songs NO ONE IS ALONE and CHILDREN WILL LISTEN. Makes sense.

[dreaming]

I doubt he'll cut the two best known songs from the show. (I'd bet Sondheim wouldn't let him if it's within his power to prevent it.)

[FOAnatic]

McCarthy is pretty inspired!

I don't know if she's the kind of actress who turn her back on it if it's "not big enough." She could nail the comedy of it and, in Act II, she'd have a great opportunity for a little drama.

She's a little against type as Jack's Mother is usually played by an older woman. But, Marshall doesn't always cast to type.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

We'll see.

[nasty_khakis]

We can talk about range, keys, and which role, but we can all agree to be pro-Stone in general, correct?

I believe Marshall was actually meeting with her for Nora in the Thin Man, but maybe Woods came up as well or inspired Marshall. After all, he once went to a Rent pitch meeting and ended up with Chicago. lol

[themysteriousgrowl]

I'd rather see Melissa McCarthy as The Baker's Wife.

Then maybe I could love her.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I can't imagine Catherine Z Jones isn't one of the main people being considered for the Witch, though I don't know how much she wants to work with Marshall again and if she has any desire to do a movie musical after the ROCK OF AGES fiasco.
Charlize Theron would be ideal but I highly doubt she'd go from playing the Evil Queen to playing the Witch, plus I wonder if there's any bad blood between her and Marshall. She was supposed to play Roxie when Nicholas Hytner was set to direct CHICAGO, then Hytner was out, Marshall made Theron audition for him and he went with Renee Zellweger instead.
Of the women that have worked with Marshall before, I think Penelope Cruz could turn in a really interesting, sexy performance as the Witch, while Zeta-Jones could perfectly capture the darkness and elegance of the role while pulling off the humor. Those would be my top two choices.
I vote for Hailee Steinfeld for Little Red and Anna Kendrick for Cinderella.

[TalkinLoud]

There are like a million great choices for each role. This one will be exciting to see come together.

Also: Stephen Colbert for the Baker!

[dreaming]

Please keep Penelope Cruz far away from this.

[JoeKv99]

I was just about to suggest Colbert myself. He'd be incredible.

[Wynbish]

Keep Gwyneth away too.

[IdinaBellFoster]

If she can sing it, Sandra Bullock is a perfect Baker's Wife.

I'd be all for Emma Stone as Little Red, and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the Witch as well.

Oh, and I don't think the box office/reviews of ROCK OF AGES should be considered when judging how CZJ would approach the project. In a recent interview she said that she got the call for ROCK OF AGES and filmed her stuff in a week, so while she enjoyed the production, I don't think she'll be quite jaded by it's performance. She won an Oscar with Marshall before, why not try again? The material is there.

[The Josh]

Ewan McGregor or Jason Segel as the baker
Amy Adams as the baker's wife, depending on the success of this summer's production
And Stephen Sondheim as the narrator!

[Wynbish]

Would love both of those as The Baker. Especially Jason.

[finebydesign]

Jesse Tyler Ferguson .... I'm still trying to figure out why/how this man is "famous"

[TalkinLoud]

What do you even mean by that? He stars on a smash hit TV show?

[wicked1492]

Ewan McGregor is absolutely perfect for The Baker.

Jon Hamm for one of the princes...? Pipe dream.

[dreaming]

He's expressed an interest in the role of the Baker (he said he wished the filming schedule for Modern Family would have allowed him to take it). I think he would be very good in the role. (And still want Kate Winslet as the Baker's Wife.)