Emily Blunt in talks for big-screen 'Into the Woods'
Credit: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Emily Blunt is reportedly close to signing on to the long-awaited adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's legendary Broadway musical, Into the Woods.
If final negotiations don't fall through, Blunt would play the pivotal role of The Baker's Wife, a woman placed under a spell by a terrible witch. The role is one of the more singing-intensive roles in the show, and though Blunt isn't known for her singing, the actress has proven herself a solid vocalist, as evidenced by her performance in the UK TV drama Gideon's Daughter (sure, it was only one song, but people have been cast on less evidence).
Blunt joins a production that already includes Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep, confirmed for the roles of the Wolf and the Witch, respectively, in the big-screen musical, to be directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago).
In addition to Blunt, Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine are in talks to play Cinderella's Prince and Rapunzel's Prince, respectively, while James Marsden is rumored to be the frontrunner for the crucial role of The Baker.
Hollywood has been trying to get a film version of Stephen Sondheim's classic fairytale musical on the big screen since 1994, when director Penny Marshall was attached, with Robin Williams, Cher, Roseanne Barr, Steve Martin, Danny DeVito and Goldie Hawn set to star. But the project fell through, and the film version remained dormant until January 2012 when Rob Marshall signed on to direct the revived project, with a script by James Lapine and featuring new songs from Stephen Sondheim.
The film has no release date, but I'm not even going to attempt to contain my bias. Into the Woods is my favorite Broadway musical, and even though I'm hesitant to proclaim this adaptation a surefire winner (since Rob Marshall has the frustrating tendency of having the actual musical numbers take place in a "dream theater"), I pretty much need this movie right now.
