Into The Woods is rated PG and is in theaters now!
Getting the cast right in a movie is essential and I couldn’t think of anyone better for the leading characters in Disney’s Into The Woods than the extraordinary Emily Blunt and adorable James Corden. Getting a chance to interview both of them showcased their incredible chemistry on and off screen. Emily Blunt is an extraordinary actresses and does a wonderful job as The Baker’s Wife. Apparently, this was the first time she’s sang for a movie and she could have fooled us! The movie musical centers around the Baker and his Wife who desperately want a baby. They make a deal with the witch, who happens to live next door in this fantasy kingdom. The husband and wife seem to do whatever it takes to make that wish come true.
Here are 6 fun facts that I learned from the Emily Blunt and James Corden about the film’s message and some behind-the-scenes fun!
Emily Blunt was pregnant during the filming of Into The Woods:
Blunt- “I was having a baby when I found out I had the part. I thought well, she’s the baker’s wife, so it doesn’t matter if I gain a few pounds. I forgot how much running around this woman does in the woods. I body slam into Anna Kendrick like a linebacker, and she’s a tiny person. I almost killed her. The Baker’s Wife is always running; we’re always rushing in the film. And so it was interesting. There was a chair onset that was written on it, Emily Bunt’s pregnancy. I often found Chris Pine sitting in it.”
The Baker and His Wife Ate Bread!
Corden- “We had a bread making session. We had these bakers come in- this is what they do on films. They say, well, we should teach you how to bake. And it’s, four hours of baking and none of it’s in the film! But I took my bread home and cooked it, and it was phenomenal.”
Emily and James share fun moments from the film. Photo By Louise Manning.
The Message Behind Into The Woods: Honesty
James feels that the film has made him want to be more honest with his children. “The great message in the film is to be careful what we wish for. And sometimes the very thing you wish for is not the thing that you need in a world where we seem to have told children that this ‘happily ever after’ does exist, and we all know it doesn’t.” He continue’s, ” That’s not to say you won’t be happy. But the song, ‘No One is Alone”, is saying there will be some screw-ups coming your way, and that’s true of all of us. But when they do, you might feel like you’re completely on your own in the world. You will feel like you are completely alone and you’re not. And you never will be. These things are just part of your life and what ultimately make you better and stronger. It has made me think that that’s a positive message to tell your children- that mistakes are gonna happen.”
Emily adds, “I feel that it’s important to teach your children that life is not always going to be easy, and that is what this film is about. Nobody goes through life unscathed. Obviously, children can’t understand the deep metaphorical meanings in the original fairy tales. But they understand right and wrong, and they understand the need to make decisions. They understand what happens when people behave badly, they get a comeuppance. I think these fairy tales were created to teach children about and warn them about life. We’re sort of in a society where we like to coddle our children and over-parent. There’s like ten thousand books on how to raise a kid nowadays, but it’s purely instinctual.”
Polo and Frank Sinatra brought the two together:
The two met at a polo match in England held by Prince Harry and Prince William. Emily explains, “We really got along and we had too much to drink, and we sang ‘Something Stupid’ by Frank Sinatra”. Emily thinks back to a conversation with Rob Marshall- “I remember him telling me that I had the part and I asked, ‘Who’s the baker?’ He responded, ‘James Corden’.” Emily was relieved and thrilled because, “I knew that this couple needed to have real lifelong, shorthand chemistry and ease with each other. You needed to believe that they’ve been together forever.” The two have known each other for 8 or 9 years but it definitely felt like they have been friends for life.
What would they wish for?
James jokes around about wishing for a pair of shoes but adds that he really just wants the people you love, to be healthy and happy. He explains, “It sounds so sort of trite in so many ways, but I don’t think there’s anything else that you could really wish for.”
Working with the children in the film was incredible:
Lilla Crawford plays Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone is Jack. Emily and James had wonderful things to say about the child actors. James starts off by saying, “They were both incredible, talented and gifted, composed and assured. Because it’s one thing being brilliant in the film; it’s another thing just being brilliant to be around all day, and they are.” Emily continues to talk about Little Red, “Lilla was doing eight shows a week playing Annie on Broadway. This is a girl who knows how to punch in and go to work, and show up, and be professional, and, and when she opens her mouth, she has a voice like a trumpet. It was just insane what she was able to do. And Daniel was completely unflappable, the coolest kid. He was hilarious, he kinda likes older women, he told us. [LAUGHS]” James adds, “Daniel’s got that thing which is unquantifiable that you don’t know what it is, but it’s just there. And he’s so musically gifted. He would sit down at a piano or he’ll play the ukulele. He really, really is the real deal.
Thank you to Emily and James for sitting with us!
IntoTheWoodsEvent Bloggers with James Carden and Emily Blunt. Photo by Louise Manning
* I attended an all expense paid trip in Los Angeles hosted by Disney and ABC Family!
