“Musicals are very delicate. You’re always this far away from an SNL sketch,” says director Rob Marshall. From left: The movie’s James Corden, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Marshall were photographed Nov. 23 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
"We explored things," Marshall reveals of those long days on a soundstage in London in August and September of 2013. "We were free to try something and then try something else — it makes you feel there's a kind of foundation. Maybe it's because I come from the theater. Or maybe it's because I'm afraid to step out on the first day of filming and say, 'OK, it's all happening.' But it's key to me to create an atmosphere early on that we understand we're making the same film."
Not long after filming began, Blunt discovered that she was pregnant with her and husband John Krasinski's first child. Luckily, she found that her physical transformation was the perfect natural prosthetic to play the Baker's Wife, even if it meant costume designer Colleen Atwood had to continually make alterations to keep the star squeezed into her dress. "I had bigger boobs and I was overweight," says Blunt. "But she's a baker's wife, so it worked well." (Blunt gave birth to a daughter, Hazel, in February.)
After a workshop with Disney execs, Corden was sure he wouldn't be approved of for the part. "After the workshop, Rob found me packing up my rucksack," recalls Corden, 36, who was pretty sure the Baker would go to a bigger name if Disney gave the movie a green light. "I wasn't born yesterday. I knew there were other people circling for the part. But Rob made his way through people and came over and said, 'I promise you, if we make this film, you're coming with us.' "
Into the Woods is an ensemble piece if ever there was one. But the vengeful Witch who imprisons Rapunzel in a tower looms just a little bit larger than the other characters. The part required an actress of a certain age with a big range and powerful pipes. Marshall immediately thought of Streep. If she could belt out ABBA tunes — as she had in 2008's Mamma Mia!, her biggest hit ever, grossing $600 million worldwide — she could handle Stephen Sondheim. There was just one problem. Streep had a no-witch policy.
Mauzy as Rapunzel.
Concept art of Rapunzel, whose ensembles were envisioned by Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, who took a pay cut to work on the film.
“People are like, ‘Oh, shit, they’re going to sing again’ — but Rob pulls it off,” says Tracey Ullman (with Daniel Huttlestone as Jack) of the director.
Streep (left) as the Witch and Mauzy as Rapunzel in Marshall’s adaptation.
From left: Producer John DeLuca, Marshall, Corden and Blunt behind the scenes.
From left: Lucy Punch, Baranski and Tammy Blanchard as Cinderella’s trio of tormenters.
Kendrick as an indecisive Cinderella.
A transformed Witch (Streep) is fussed over by J. Roy Helland (right), the actress’ personal hairstylist and makeup artist.