Double post, sorry!
I'm now obsessed with the idea of Melissa McCarthy as the Baker's Wife. How about her Gilmore Girls co-star Lauren Graham? She was in Guys and Dolls a few years ago and, while the production itself sucked, it turned out that she has a very nice voice. They'd both have the fun, quirkiness, and humor down pat.
Someone suggested Stephen Colbert and Kristen Wiig as the Baker and Wife in an old thread. That should happen.
Couldn't Bernadette play jack's mom? It would be nice to see her involved in this like Colm was involved in Les Mis. I second Suton as the baker's wife. I'm still obssesed with Gaga as the witch and Lea as Cinderella.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
Since Brian d'Arcy James has had experience in film and television I think he would be excellent as the Baker. If they want someone young for Little Red Riding Hood I think Carly Rose Sonenclar would be a very good choice. However, if Disney really is going to distribute this, then maybe they will want someone older. On ABC's 'Once Upon a Time' the character is played by Meghan Ory who is an adult. I also think it would be interesting to see Sara Ramirez as the Witch.
Updated On: 1/23/13 at 02:07 PM
I don't think Little Red in ITW and Little Red in OUAT are Comparable characters. In ITW, Red is on the cusp of a sexual awakening. No indication of anything like that for UUAT, where Red is actually a wolf, not the prey of one.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/12
"Kristen Wiig as the Baker[s] Wife"
Yes, I need that to happen. I could even see Maya Rudolph as The Baker's Wife.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
"It wouldn't be much fun watching him repeat his role from Enchanted."
I actually think it would be fun to see Zachary Levi repeat his role from 'Tangled'. It would be better because he would playing it in live-action since his character was entirely animated.
Shoot me but I would love to see Nicki Minaj as The Witch in Into the Woods.
The more I think about Nicki Minaj in the role, the more I really like the idea.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/12
I want Jenifer Lewis in the role one day very badly. I know that she probably doesn't have a shot at the movie, but her humor in that part would give me everything I've ever wanted.
Patina Miller will be a great witch in 10 years or so. I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened one day in her career.
Updated On: 1/17/13 at 10:10 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
I keep hearing that James Marsden as one of the princes would just be repeating his role from Enchanted. I've only seen that movie once, but I don't remember his character being anything remotely like either of the princes in Into the Woods. His character in Enchanted did not, from what I recall, have nearly the attitude or self-awareness that Cinderella's Prince exhibits. Lines such as "I was raised to be charming, not sincere" seem like the exact opposite of what his character in Enchanted would have said.
Nicki, while I adore her, can't sing it. I saw her live, as Britney's opening act, and when the sung parts of her songs came on, they just played the vocals and she strutted around. I'm still a fan of Lady Gaga - I have chills thinking of her "Last Midnight."
Here is my ideal cast:
Witch - Lady Gaga
Baker's Wife - Kristen Wiig
Baker - Jason Segel
Jack - Logan Lerman
Cinderella - Anna Kendrick
Little Red- Sarah Hyland
Princes - Neil Patrick Harris and James Marsden
Giant's Voice - Helen Mirren
Preferably someone with talent should play the witch. Not an oompa-loompa who fell asleep in a tanning bed i.e. Miss Minaj. Sara Ramirez would be an interesting choice. Even if she doesn't play the witch in the movie, I'd love to see a stage production with her.
Please no Kristen Wiig. She makes my teeth itch.
For yor consideration, Chris Hemsworth as one of the princes:
Thor singing
Would be fun if they got both Liam and Chris Hemsworth as the princes. I think they're both incredibly handsome.
I find both Hemsworths to be incredibly wooden on screen, which would work for the parts. I doubt Chris Hemsworth wants to do both this and the SNOW WHITE film though.
Kristen Wiig would be sublime as the Baker's Wife and she has been suggested by many from the time the movie was announced. She was supposedly one of five or six actresses being considered for Marshall's remake of THE THIN MAN, which apparently was shelved in favor of INTO THE WOODS, so I'm sure she is definitely a name that is actually in their sight. I'd much rather see her over more typical choices like Amy Adams or Sandra Bullock.
Jessica Chastain has gone on the record last year and this year (while promoting her different Oscar nods) that she'd love to do a movie musical. I wonder to what extent Marshall et al are considering her for the Baker's Wife.
And though many hated her singing in NINE (and I wonder if she liked the experience of working on it at all), I think Nicole Kidman could surprise everyone and turn out to be an incredible Witch. She lacks some of the earthiness that someone like Bernadette Peters brought to the role, but she'd find humor in all the unexpected parts. Her friend Naomi Watts would also be an interesting choice, if less likely as I doubt she sings.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
I would enjoy Chris Hemsworth as Cinderella's Prince.
I didn't hate Kidman in Nine, but her character really served no point. She had 5 minutes of screen time tops including her big song.
I just didn't understand the key of "Unusual Way" they gave her. It was so low. From her singing in Moulin Rouge, it seemed she was more comfortable in a higher range.
I've really never found her terribly funny in anything other than To Die For, where she was hysterical. Maybe she could work, though. She has the beauty for the role, but I don't know if she has the pipes. Maybe with some coaching?
The Hemsworth brothers as the princes would be an inspired choice. They really are as dull as dishwater, but for the first time, it could work in their advantage.
I think the Baker's Wife needs a Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, or Lauren Graham type. I could see them all being truly hysterical and earthy.
I'm having difficulty imagining a lot of these suggestions in a Rob Marshall-type film, therefore, I hope he changes his style a bit for this one.
I could see Jessica Chastain more as Cinderella if she has the vocal chops than as the Baker's Wife. She'd be a great Cinderella.
Chastain would be great in any of the roles. I would love to see her in this movie, not sure is she sings though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"Not to mention Criss is all surface, no subtlety, at least in GLEE"
Not to mention that he has a freaky face in close-ups. If you notice, Glee rarely has the camera stay on him in close-up for more than a few seconds.
WAIT! do the Hemsworths sing?? If not then I'd rather see John Barrowman and Eddie Redmayne, although the latter is unlikely since it might be too soon for him to embark on another musical film. I agree that James Marsden would make a spectacular prince, but I'd rather see him as the baker. I think he could do a really amazing job plus it would be a nice departure for him.
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