{TB EXCLUSIVE} Meryl Streep Goes “Into the Woods”

By: Tesla Nikator

Meryl Streep is now attached to helmer Rob Marshall’s big-screen adaptation of the popular Broadway musical INTO THE WOODS. Streep, who previously starred and sang in the Phyllida Lloyd-helmed “Mamma Mia!”, is set to play The Witch – a role previously filled on Broadway by the likes of Bernadette Peters and Vanessa Williams.

This news comes on the heels of rumors that Streep would be taking on the role in this summer’s Central Park revival of the musical. Stephen Sondheim, the musical’s original composer and playwrite, responded to the rumors by stating that she’d be great in the role – and lo and behold, it looks like director Marshall agrees.

Sondheim’s script is being adapted by James Lapine, whom is primarily a stage director but has also dabbled in features – such as the upcoming “The Moment When” and, previously, Disney’s “Life With Mikey”.

Marshall, a former choreographer, has prior experience with bringing stage musicals to the big screen – he directed 2002’s “Chicago”. Aside from musically-oriented work, Marshall also helmed “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and is set to take on “Pirates of the Caribbean 5”.

Streep is also attached to the film adaptation of the stageplay “August: Osage County”. She and Lapine are both repped by CAA.

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