Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming adaptation of the fairy tale musical Into the Woods is expected to get major plot changes in order to make it more family-friendly.
The movie musical follows the story of a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) trying to have a child. It gathers characters from a variety of other fairy tales, including Cinderella (Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine) Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford and Johnny Depp) Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone and Tracey Ullman) and Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy). Meryl Streep will portray The Witch.
Playbill reports that Stephen Sondheim’s 1987 stage musical has received modifications to make it more appropriate for younger viewers and to broaden its appeal. The composer revealed to a group of NYC high school drama teachers that the adult themes have been removed for the upcoming film, such as the sexualized relationship between the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as other mature moments.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know that Disney had the same objections,” said Sondheim when one of the teachers raised concerns about the sexual relationship between the lascivious Wolf and Red Riding Hood. You will find in the movie that Rapunzel does not get killed, and the prince does not sleep with the [Baker’s Wife]… You know, if I were a Disney executive I probably would say the same thing.”
Another teacher asked if the song “Any Moment” performed during Prince Charming and the Baker’s Wife’s rendezvous would remain in the remake. “The song is cut,” stated Sondheim. “Disney said, we don’t want Rapunzel to die, so we re-plotted it,” the composer explained. “I won’t tell you what happens, but we wrote a new song to cover it.”
The film’s synopsis, according to press notes:
Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.
“Censorship is part of our puritanical ethics, and it’s something that they’re going to have to deal with,” said Sondheim. “There has to be a point at which you don’t compromise anymore, but that may mean that you won’t get anyone to sell your painting or perform your musical. You have to deal with reality.”
Into the Woods will feature two new songs, one called “Rainbows,” and another for the Witch. The film, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), will hit theaters December 25th.
