Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep To Venture INTO THE WOODS

Back in October, we reported that Meryl Streep was circling the role of the evil witch in Rob Marshall‘s upcoming adaptation of Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s 1986 musical that borrows characters from classic Grimm fairy tales.

Now comes word that Johnny Depp is in negotiation to star in the Walt Disney Pictures’ film, which is still trying to figure out its production start date.

Depp would be cast as a childless baker who ventures into the woods to confront the witch (Streep) who put a curse on him and his wife, leaving them unable to bear children. Along the way they’ll run into a number of familiar characters, from Rapunzel to Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

Frequent Marshall collaborator David Krane (Chicago, Nine) is working on the score for the film, while James Lapine has adapted his book for the musical.

Anna Kendrick read the role of Cinderella, Patrick Wilson as her Prince, and Megan Hilty as Lucinda, among others, but neither is involved at this stage.

Depp previously played the title role of Sweeney Todd in Tim Burton’s film adaptation of another Sondheim’s musical, while Meryl Streep scored big with musical Mamma Mia!.

Depp is currently shooting Transcendence, followed by Black Mass in the fall, so if things work out, the actor could reteam with Marshall by early 2014.