I actually don't like the idea of the whole cast using British accents. This isn't Harry Potter or Mary Poppins.
It's a fairy tale world, and the primary stories they are telling originated in Germany and France, not England or the U.S.
Plus I think it's isolating. There are still a lot of Americans who can't understand a thick East End accent (Daniel Huttlestone is going to have to work at toning his down).
Also, Into the Woods, was written by two American musical theatre writers, and the writing has a distinctive American flavor (and humor) to it.
My feeling is that too many Brits spoil the broth, in this case.
I think they should take their cue from the original Willy Wonka 1971 film. Charlie, his mom, his grandpa, and Willy were Americans. The rest of the Golden Ticket winners came from all over (that's part of the story, though). Most of the children in town were American. Most of the adults were European (primarily British), and the entire movie was shot in Munich, so the city looked distinctively European.
They never say where Charlie lives or where the factory is. That's on purpose. They leave it open, and this "melting pot" of a town really helps keep the story accessible to everyone. It's a good model to follow for Into the Woods.
Right now I'm glad that Cinderella, her Stepmother, the Princes, and the Witch are American. The Baker, the Baker's Wife, Jack, Jack's Mother are British. And Johnny Depp who can't leave the house without an East End accent anymore. So he's Brimarican. I just hope they keep it split.
And I really want to see an African American Red Riding Hood and Granny. I'm sold on the idea of that girl from the singing show and Whoopi Goldberg. Nothing has been mentioned about Whoopi, but this would be such a great addition to the film. The kid is British, Granny is American, and they are both black.
It would make these woods a whole lot more interesting.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
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