'Into the Woods' trailer shows the bittersweet nature of fairy tales (and yes, there's singing)

The film version of the musical stars Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, and Anna Kendrick.

A new trailer has arrived for the upcoming film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods.” 

“Woods” centers on a baker (new “Late Late Show” host James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt of “Edge of Tomorrow”) who set off on a quest to break the curse that leaves them childless, which was put on them by a witch (Meryl Streep). Along the way, they meet such fairy tale characters as Jack of the tale with the beanstalk (“Les Miserables” actor Daniel Huttlestone), Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Cinderella (“Pitch Perfect” actress Anna Kendrick), and Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy of “Forever”). While many characters get what they wished for, they soon find their actions have unexpected and tragic consequences. 

“Star Trek” actor Chris Pine plays the prince that encounters Cinderella, while Johnny Depp portrays the wolf that meets Red Riding Hood, Tracey Ullman of “State of the Union” plays Jack’s mother and “The Good Wife” actress Christine Baranski plays Cinderella’s stepmother.

The film is directed by Rob Marshall, who is behind such previous movie musicals as “Chicago” and “Nine.”

Unlike the first trailer released, this clip includes the cast performing some of the score – the ensemble sings some of the title track and Streep sings a section of her song “Stay With Me.” 

In the trailer, the witch tells the baker and his wife that they must find “the cow as white as a milk, the cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, the slipper as pure as gold.” 

After their quests are concluded, the Baker’s Wife says, “All will come to a happy end.”

The Witch isn’t so sure. 

“Not always,” she says. 

Marshall spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the story’s light beginnings and darker second act.

“There’s a lot of entertainment and a lot of fun to it, but it doesn’t shy away from any of those adult themes at all,” he said.

“Woods” hits theaters on Dec. 25.