First Pictures Of Disney’s ‘Into The Woods’ Starring Anna Kendrick And Johnny Depp

Have you ever wondered what happened to Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood after they got their ‘happy ending’? Well Disney’s latest musical, Into the Woods might make you wish you’d never asked. In the movie, starring Anna Kendrick and Johnny Deep we sadly learn that some of our favourite fairytale characters actually didn't end up living so ‘happily ever after’ once their stories ended.

Fairytales have certainly been enjoying a bit of a renaissance as of late with movies such as Snow White and the Huntsman and Maleficent presenting the alternative side to some classic stories. But Disney’s Into the Woods it’s not just another fairytale retelling, instead it explores what happens after the fairytale ended, calling into question everything we ever believed about ‘happily ever after.’

James Corden and Emily Blunt star as the Baker and his wife, who are desperate for a child but have been cursed by an evil witch. In order to have any chance of a family, the couple must venture ‘into the woods’, collecting objects to help break the curse. Their adventure will lead them to encounters with some of the fairytale world’s most famous faces as each of the character’s stories are woven together through this musical journey.

They’ll encounter Cinderella, played by Anna Kendrick, who we last saw marrying her Prince Charming (now played by Chris Pine.) But things haven’t been going so well for the couple as of late, as after their relationship turns stale the Prince develops a bit of a wandering eye.

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We'll also get to catch up with Little Red Riding Hood who will be played by newcomer Lilla Crawford, while Johnny Depp appears as her big bad wolf. As for the evil witch, Meryl Streep will surely be giving another award worthy performance as the villain who imprisons Rapunzel, played by MacKenzie Mauzy.

The film is adapted from Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical of the same name which was in turn based on the Grimm Brothers' famous tales. Since making its Broadway debut in 1987, the musical has won numerous Tony Awards as well as being toured internationally.

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While fans of the Broadway show have waited a long time for a big screen adaptation (it was originally meant to be a film in the early 1990s), there has been some worry that Disney will sweeten the tale too much to appeal to younger viewers.

Original writer Stephen Sondheim didn’t help matters last month when he was quoted as saying “You will find Rapunzel does not get killed, and the prince does not sleep with the baker’s wife,” he said. Adding that, “If I were a Disney executive, I would probably say the same thing.”

However Sondheim later released a statement saying his comments had been misreported and were made before he had seen the film. “Having now seen it a couple of times, I can happily report that it is not only a faithful adaptation of the show, it is a first-rate movie,” he said. “And for those who care, the Prince’s dalliance is still in the movie.”

Judging by the pictures, Into the Woods looks every bit as exciting as we'd hoped it would be. An all-star cast mixed with Sondheim's story means we're in for some serious screen magic, especially as Chicago's Rob Marshall is directing. The only downside is we'll have to wait until January to see the finished product when Into the Woods hits cinemas.