I also find a Washington/Cordon coupling a bit off. Winslet and he might be terrific together. Although I think of Corden being quite young, he's actually just a couple years younger than Kate. While Collette seems the perfect choice for the role in and of itself, my imagination - for what it's worth - says Winslet goes best with Corden, and I think she could be great in the role.
He'd also blend well with Rachel Weisz, who could also do great things with the part, but, as far as I know, doesn't really sing.
I really hope they get someone like Angela Lansbury or Carol Burnett to play Granny.
Jordan, that's actually pretty inspired.
Judging by Marshall's inclusion of Chita in "Chicago" and Sophia Loren in "Nine," it's evident that he does like to include ladies like Burnett and Lansbury wherever he can.
And we already know Lansbury has working history with Sondheim. I wouldn't be surprised if you hit the nail on the head.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
My hope is that by Depp signing on for a minor role (please god, keep it minor), other celebrities will be willing to do that as well. They could "star cast" Granny, Cinderella's Stepmother, and the two princes if they want to.
(Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as the two princes!)
From last year (yeah, okay, they're a bit old now):
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
In addition to Depp's casting, Sondheim revealed in Delaware on Wednesday night that....
*AGAIN, SPOILERS*
...he is writing one new song for the Witch in the second act, which is necessitated by some plot changes for the film. Not all of the same deaths occur, "this being a Disney film." This includes Rapunzel, so The Witch's Lament will be replaced with a new song.
Sondheim does not seem fazed by the change, and told us "don't worry--The Baker's Wife still dies."
He did, however, lament the fact that a perfect celebrity cast arranged by Penny Marshall in the 1990s did not ever make it to the screen. But he seems genuinely enthusiastic about this.
Wait. So Rapunzel doesn't die? That's going to change A LOT. Especially the reason for the Witch singing Children Will Listen. She no longer gets her comeuppance. I know it's Disney, but have they seen any of the Pirates movies? How many deaths in there?! If this is true, it's a HUGE disappointment.
Since Rapunzel is apparently going to live maybe she and Cinderella will tell their princes how they feel about how they strayed from them together. But then shortly after this Cinderella sings "No One is Alone" to Red Riding Hood after that. It would not make sense for Cinderella to sing the words, "Only me beside you" if Rapunzel is with them. The princes will most likely still end up with Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. I wonder what will happen to Rapunzel now. The four original surviving characters might also find her after the Giant's wife dies. Or maybe she will go with the Baker and Jack to stop the Giant's Wife.
"Wait. So Rapunzel doesn't die? That's going to change A LOT. I know it's Disney, but have they seen any of the Pirates movies? How many deaths in there?!"
Since Rapunzel is one of the Disney Princesses, her death probably would have received many complaints from parents whose children saw it in theaters.
"Keeping Rapunzel alive seems like a pretty major plot point to change."
Yes, but remember what Disney did in their beloved 1989 film, 'The Little Mermaid'. The princess lived and got a happy ending rather than turning into sea foam or a spirit of the air like in the Hans Christian Anderson story. Though I still think Rapunzel's Prince will end up with Snow White.
"Maybe Jack's mom doesn't die? But that would screw up the ending..."
I don't think that will happen. Remember how Bambi and Simba lost one of their parents.