DISNEY TO RELEASE A FILM OF THE TONY AWARD- AND PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING MUSICAL HAMILTON THE FILM OF THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION

BURBANK, Calif. – Feb. 3, 2020 – The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller, and Thomas Kail are pleased to announce an agreement for the worldwide distribution rights that will bring the 11-time-Tony Award®-, Grammy Award®-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical to cinema screens. The film will be released by The Walt Disney Studios in the United States and Canada on Oct. 15, 2021.

Producers for Hamilton, the film of the original Broadway production, include Miranda, Seller, and Kail, who also directs.

The film of the original Broadway cast performing Hamilton is a leap forward in the art of “live capture.” This movie transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater and film, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton. 

The original Broadway cast appearing in the film include Tony Award® winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart, and Ephraim Sykes.

“Lin-Manuel Miranda created an unforgettable theater experience and a true cultural phenomenon, and it was for good reason that Hamilton was hailed as an astonishing work of art. All who saw it with the original cast will never forget that singular experience,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share this same Broadway experience with millions of people around the world.”

“I fell in love with musical storytelling growing up with the legendary Howard Ashman-Alan Menken Disney collaborations – The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton – a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We’re excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”

“We are thrilled for fans of the show, and new audiences across the world, to experience what it was like on stage – and in the audience – when we shot this at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016. We wanted to give everyone the same seat, which is what this film can provide,” said Thomas Kail.

Disney's Into The Woods - Magic of The Woods

“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.

Disney's Into The Woods - "Stage To Screen"

“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.

Disney's Into The Woods Music Featurette

“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.

Movie Review: Into The Woods

One of my favorite musicals is coming to the big screen in a major way. The musical adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

There have been several false starts by other directors, but this time, Director Rob Marshall is the right person to bring this musical to life on film. After all, Marshall was the director of the Best Picture Oscar winner Chicago, the last musical to bring home the Academy's top prize.

Right from the opening number, which sets up the tale of why all of our characters are venturing forth Into The Woods, we are off on an epic journey.

The musical follows the classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and The Beanstalk and Rapunzel all weaved together with an original tale of a baker and his wife who are trying to have a child and a witch who has placed a curse on them.

Many times when a musical comes to the screen, the director chooses to space the songs and scenes differently than the stage blocking and that takes away from the story's stage roots. For instance, instead of allowing a character to sing their solo, the director has that character move around in the world around them, Or instead of having what amounts to a wide shot like on the stage, the director uses the close-up for the film. But Marshall knows when to let the big songs just break free and when to focus on the drama. This allows for a great transition between the darkness of the story as well as the magic.

The movie is superbly acted and moves along swiftly. If a film deserves a win for best ensemble it is this film. This cast supports one another. If there is a lead, then it is James Corden, who plays the Baker, along with his wife, who is played to perfection by Emily Blunt. Meryl Streep is a shoe-in for her 19th Oscar nomination, but this time for a supporting role as the witch. Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick are solid here as well. I had no idea that Chris Pine can sing! Plus, you will fall in love with Lillia Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone who plays Jack. Johnny Depp is the wolf, but is only in the movie for a few minutes, but he does sing one of the darkest songs in the entire musical.

I was worried that this movie would not remain as dark as the stage show but Disney allowed this film to retain much of its darker tones. There are some creative changes but I think fans of the stage show will agree that this film plays out to the audience.

I expect Into The Woods to rack up the nominations come award season. Spectacular performances combined with stunning sets and costumes make this the musical, no, the film of the holiday season!

How does this all end? Will there be a happy ending for everyone involved? Well, in order to find out, you must venture Into The Woods!

DISNEY'S "INTO THE WOODS" VENTURES INTO PRODUCTION FEATURING AWARD-WINNING CAST & PRODUCTION TEAM

DISNEY’S “INTO THE WOODS” VENTURES INTO PRODUCTION

FEATURING AWARD-WINNING CAST & PRODUCTION TEAM

Film to Feature Songs from the Award-Winning Stage Show,

Plus Brand-New Song by Stephen Sondheim

                                                                                       

BURBANK, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2013) – Disney’s “Into the Woods” kicked off production last week, featuring an award-winning production team and all-star ensemble cast. Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics—including an all-new song for the big-screen adaptation. “Into the Woods” is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall. Shooting in studio and on location throughout England, the film is slated for a December 25, 2014, holiday release. 

“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.

The all-star ensemble cast includes:

·         Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “August: Osage County”) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.

·         Emily Blunt (“Looper,” “The Young Victoria,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.

·         James Corden (Broadway’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Gavin & Stacey”) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.

·         Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Up in the Air”) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.

·         Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Jack Ryan”) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.

·         Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “The Lone Ranger,” “Sweeney Todd”) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.

·         Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way.

·         Daniel Huttlestone (“Les Misérables”) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans. 

·         Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.

·         Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago” “The Good Wife”) takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she'll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince. 

·         MacKenzie Mauzy (“Brother’s Keeper,” Broadway’s “Next to Normal”) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.

·         Billy Magnussen (Broadway’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The East”) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.

Celebrated actors from the stage and screen fill the supporting roles, including Tammy Blanchard (“Blue Jasmine,” “The Good Shepherd”) and Lucy Punch (“Bad Teacher,” “Dinner for Schmucks”) as Cinderella’s spoiled stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda. Richard Glover (“Sightseers,” “St. Trinian’s”) is the Princes’ royal steward, Frances de la Tour (“Hugo,” “Alice In Wonderland”) portrays the giant, and Simon Russell Beale (“The Deep Blue Sea”) is the Baker’s father. Actress Joanna Riding (“My Fair Lady,” “Carousel”) portrays Cinderella’s late mother, and Little Red Riding Hood’s beloved granny is played by Annette Crosbie (“Calendar Girls,” “The Slipper and the Rose”).

The big-screen adaptation welcomes songs from the stage musical, including “Children Will Listen,” “Giants in the Sky,” “On the Steps of the Palace,” “No One Is Alone” and “Agony,” among others. Additionally, Sondheim has penned an all-new song for the story’s theatrical debut.

The award-winning production team includes Dion Beebe (“Collateral,” “Chicago,” “Nine”), Oscar® winner for the Marshall-helmed “Memoirs of a Geisha,” as director of photography. Dennis Gassner (“Skyfall,” “Quantum of Solace”), who won his own Oscar for “Bugsy,” serves as production designer, and three-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Chicago,” “Alice In Wonderland”) is costume designer.

“Into the Woods” premiered on Broadway on Nov. 5, 1987, at the Martin Beck Theatre. The production, which ran for 764 performances, won Tony® Awards for best score, best book and best actress in a musical. Among other awards, the musical received five Drama Desk awards, including best musical. “Into the Woods” has been produced around the world, including a 1988 U.S. tour, a 1990 West End production, Broadway and London revivals, in addition to a television production, DVD recording and a 10-year-anniversary concert.