Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine are not actors who immediately spring to mind when you think “fairytale musical.” Both leading men are more likely to be found commandeering star ships or donning a badge while bustin’ down doors. That however, could all change. Gyllenhaal and Pine are now in talks to take on roles in Rob Marshall’s musical Into The Woods.
While no official deal has been signed, the two actors have already met with Marshall…and made a big song and dance of it. The meetings, during which they both serenaded the director, could lead to starring roles as two princes in the black comedy.
A mix of fairy tale lore and dark humour, Into The Woods tells the story of a childless baker and his wife. Desperate to lift the curse cast by a witch years before, they venture into the woods to have it out with her. During their journey they bump into a host of fairy tale faves including Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel.
The Disney adaptation of the Broadway musical has already bagged two of Hollywood’s biggest names. Meryl Streep has secured the role of the witch, marking her first musical outing since 2008’s Mamma Mia! On board and set to play the archetypal fairy tale wolf is Johnny Depp.
Should Gyllenhaal and Pine be offered roles, it’s rumoured that they will play the Princes of Rapunzel and Cinderella. They could both be cast as interfering trees who suddenly burst into song about photosynthesis to be honest. The chance to watch these two on the big screen singing their hearts out will no doubt make eons of girlies swoon.
Why have they gone for such roles in the first place? Perhaps Hugh Jackman’s turn in Les Miserables has opened the gateway for rugged beefcakes to launch into song. Who knows?
Into The Woods is scheduled to start production this autumn.
