Into the Woods Official Movie Thread — Page 19

Into The Woods is not exactly a fodder for an ensemble that would allow that, unlike Chicago and Les Mis, but they could pop up in the Prince's Ball as Cinderella is running out.

This may have been mentioned but I haven't read all 400+ replies but I wouldn't be surprised if original cast members made their way into minor roles as a wink and a nod to us (ala Chita in Chicago).

It's been mentioned. I'm hoping for a Bernadette cameo as either Red Riding Hood's granny or Cinderella's mother/ghost (the lady in the tree).

Not sure how I feel about the new song and Rapunzel not dying. It depends on how it fits within the story. I tend to think it will lessen the impact of the Witch and what she risked. She traded everything for her beauty, and seemingly some of that motivation was to win Rapunzel's favor again ... and then Rapunzel dies. Take away that death, and it will soften their story, no question.

It does remind me of the changes made to The Little Mermaid and LIttle Shop of Horrors. Obviously, it worked with audiences in those cases.

Lapine and Sondheim are very open to trying new things out. Unfortunately, there is a big difference with trying a new song or scene out of town or in previews. You still have a chance to fix it, rewrite it, and try something else out the next night, if it doesn't work.

On film, they rarely go back and shoot new scenes nowadays. They might cut something out, but adding or rewriting new material after the fact is so expensive, especially if they were to add a musical number back in? Forget it. Maybe they'll cover their butts and film a couple of options in case it doesn't work with (test) audiences. That would be Rob Marshall's call ...

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Updated On: 5/10/13 at 02:28 PM

Remember that this isn't going to be a Disney children's animated film like The Little Mermaid. The total plot change in that was completely understandable. I imagine that this film will be done in the same vein as their Pirates franchise which is why I made the comparison. That is a very successful Disney franchise with death scenes galore.

Cutting Rapunzel's death completely changes the Witch's character arc. It's the major catalyst for her breakdown (Last Midnight). And what reason does she now have for singing Children Will Listen? Or maybe they've cut that as well? We all know how much Rob Marshal just loooves cutting scores to an inch of their lives. Also, with no Rapunzel dying, there's no Lament. So what will she get to sing now? Just this new song, by the looks of things.

Oof! I really did have high hopes for this film. I loved Chicago and (though highly flawed) Nine does hold a warm little place in my heart. I still won't judge the finished product until I see it, but I am losing hope...

"And what reason does she now have for singing Children Will Listen? Or maybe they've cut that as well?"

I'm pretty sure if will still be sung in the film. The Witch was singing it as a moral for the Baker when he was telling his baby the story of everything that has happened.

"I'm pretty sure if will still be sung in the film. The Witch was singing it as a moral for the Baker when he was telling his baby the story of everything that has happened."

But what reason does the character of The Witch have to sing this now? Remember, she has to learn her own lesson. And that is why she sings it. With this change it would make more sense for the ghost of the Baker's Wife to go into this song seeing as it's her child.

Edit: I understand that Children Will Listen is a huge moment in the story and that it will, most likely, not get cut. I was just being snarky when I mentioned that. However, it will definitely alter it's full meaning and intention.

Updated On: 5/10/13 at 02:55 PM

I would imagine some of the characters will be diluted for the film, e.g. Jack's mother - I would say they will lessen this role and place more of an emphasis on Jack himself... They will cut a lot of material there. And Red and Jack in general I'd say will be much smaller parts in the movie, with more of an emphasis on the Baker and his Wife and of course the Witch who will probably play even more of a central role thanks to Streep's casting.

Just a quick word on the "Disney's not killing Rapunzel" thing:

I'm racking my brain, but I can't think of any occurrence when Disney killed off a character with a love interest. Sure, they kill off Parents and authority figures left and right, but you rarely see a character who is primarily identified as as a lover, rather than a parent, bite it. The only example I can think of is Ellie in UP, and that doesn't count, that's Pixar. Disney's big thing is Love conquers all...and love can't conquer if love is squished by a Giant, can they?

"If this version had actually happened it probably would have been an accurate adaptation of the stage musical."


Oh, no no no no no no no. That version diverted DRAMATICALLY from the original. Much more, I hope, than this film will. In that script the Baker's Wife not only lives, but crawls out of the giant's nose at the end. The giant was also the male and was played by Danny DeVito in the read through.

Updated On: 5/10/13 at 03:30 PM

Yes. Let's be very thankful that that film never happened.

Oh, and I don't remember who said that actI runs for two hours nor where you experienced this, but it should run just about an hour and a half.

Not so sure how I feel about Rapunzel surviving. I mean, what can they really do with her for the finale? It's just gonna make the whole thing feel bloated.

In Disney's Hercules, Meg died, then was brought back to life.

There are a lot of changes in the film from what I heard, but the last information I had was based on the draft from a few months ago. On the Steps of the Palace was placed in present tense and there were some significant lyric changes, if I remember correctly, and No More is also cut.

I wish I'd thought to ask for more details at the time, I believe Giants in the Sky has also been tinkered with.

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