When Rob Marshall started developing a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s fairytale-tweaking musical Into The Woods with Disney, mention was made of him considering the idea as he made Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It would seem someone else from the high seas mega-franchise was interested, since Johnny Depp is in talks to sign on as the lead.
If he does lock in a deal, Depp (who sang Sondheim for Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd) would play a childless baker, who attempts to lift a family curse by journeying into the woods with his wife to confront the witch that put the spell on them. Along the way, they encounter Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jack And The Beanstalk’s Jack, Little Red Riding Hood and other classic characters.
Speaking of the witch, Marshall is looking to keep the star power steady, with Meryl Streep considering the role. The real question on our minds is who they'll cast as the two Princes, who get the showstopping Agony to sing (and its reprise{
Lapine, who wrote the book for the musical, is on board to craft the script, while Marshall has been gathering some regular collaborators for behind the scenes work. Chicago/Nine’s David Krane will arrange the music, and producer John DeLuca will help shepherd the film to the screen.
There’s no set date for shooting yet as everything is still up in the air. Plus, Marshall – who has also been developing a Thin Man remake with Depp – will have to wait for the actor to complete work on Wally Pfister’s Transcendence and Barry Levinson’s Boston crime tale Black Mass.