Depp discusses Into the Woods, working with director Rob Marshall and composer Stephen Sondheim, why the movie is worth seeing, and his personal experiences.
Into the Woods brings a modern twist to a collection of classic fairy tales. The movie follows Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy) and Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) – yes, the one with the beanstalk.
The story weaves together classic stories, giving them a new twist. Other characters include a Witch (Meryl Streep), a Stepmother (Christine Baranski) and, of course, a Wolf (Depp).
First, what was it like to be a part of this movie?
I was very excited to do it. I was honored. To be absolutely truthful, I was honored and, you know, somewhat proud, that not only Rob and John (executive producer John DeLuca) wanted me to play the Wolf but that Sondheim, again, believed in me to play the part and to sing his notes yet again.
It’s the idea of taking all these fairy tales, all these little stories that we were read as children, that we grew up with, that we know by heart … and then bringing them all to life, you know, in one large piece, one large musical.
The characters themselves are so well-defined already, but then you get, you know, the likes of Meryl Streep … some of the best actors you could ever hope to work with.
*****
How was it working with Rob Marshall?
The choices that Rob made and the choices that he makes, the films that he does, he’s very true to his vision of the author’s work.
His approach is very pure and he’s out there to make something beautiful, affecting, artistic, emotional. He’s the real thing.
What do you think will appeal to audiences about the twist on these stories?
It’s so far beyond anything you could have expected. It is, ‘cause you know all these characters from your youth in a deep way and when they come to life in this sense … you get to know more about them and it’s even spookier, it’s even funnier, it’s even weirder. It’s a brilliant idea. It’s really beautifully put together.
Talk a bit about the music.
When you break it down to the various instruments and what they’re playing and the various notes they’re playing, and these certain notes that really shouldn’t work together, but somehow they do with Sondeheim.
What was it like to be an actor on Into the Woods?
It’s one of those moments that you realize, you will never, in your life, have an opportunity like that again. As an actor or as a musician, it’s kind of a joy to approach even though it’s incredibly daunting.
by Gordon Shelly
