http://moviemusicals.net/news.html#010706
January 7, 2006
Exclusive: Tim Burton & Johnny Depp Team For 'Sweeney Todd'
By Andrew Hartman, MovieMusicals.net
Status: Rumor From Valid Sources According to anonymous sources, director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp, who together have worked on five major motion pictures including 'Edward Scissorhands' and more recently 'Charlie & the Chocolate Factory,' will team once more for the upcoming movie musical adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd.'
Depp will portray title character Sweeney Todd - the demon barber or Fleet Street - who slits the throats of his innocent (and not-so-innocent) customers.
As of last year, Sam Mendes ('Road to Perdition,' 'Jarhead') was rumored to be the frontrunner to direct, however he left the project shortly after 'Jarhead' opened in theatres.
It is unknown if Burton will opt to use the existing John Logan screenplay adaptation, or start from scratch. Therefore, a release date cannot be predicted at this time.
'Sweeney Todd' first opened on Broadway in 1979 which starred Len Cariou, Angela Lansbury, Victor Garber, and Ken Jennings. The show is currently on Broadway in its second revival, starring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris. The show features a score by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim who in his career has earned eight Tony awards, including Best Score for 'Sweeney Todd.'
An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks.

I love Johnny Depp and I love Tim Burton. I would love to see Burton's spin on this musical...he always has such an interesting point of view. The plot has a lot of work with, so this has a lot of potential.

I'll watch anything with Johnny Depp in it!

Well, that's better than the rumor that surfaced a couple of years before Mendes expressed an interest - that Spielberg wanted to do it. I can't even imagine.

"Sweeney Todd" is one of my favorite musicals - I have the '82 PBS production with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn on DVD - and while I think it would be interesting to see what Hollywood could do with it, I've also been dreading the day it actually happens. I once thought maybe David Lynch could do it justice but that would probably be too weird. If anyone can pull it off, it might be Tim Burton. But can Johnny Depp sing? And who would play Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter?

But can Johnny Depp sing? And who would play Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter?

He does have a singing credit, he was one of the guys yelling "JUMP" in the theme song for 21 Jump Streetlol :p ... I'm SURE Helena Bonham Carter will have a part in this somewhere, I think Burton would be in the doghouse if she didn't have a part :lol:

He does have a singing credit, he was one of the guys yelling "JUMP" in the theme song for 21 Jump Streetlol :p ... I'm SURE Helena Bonham Carter will have a part in this somewhere, I think Burton would be in the doghouse if she didn't have a part :lol:
So he IS qualified. :)

But seriously, given the fact that Sondheim writes vocally demanding stuff, and "Sweeney Todd" in particular is more operatic than a typical musical, I have my doubts about anyone not extensively trained in musical theater trying to do it. Still, from what I've seen of Johnny Depp over the years, he seems to have a real gift for inhabiting whatever role he takes on. Actually, it's a little spooky. I sometimes wonder if he even has a personality of his own. Anyway, I'm sure he'd do whatever would be required of him if he were to take on the demon barber. He'd be different, but probably very good.

As for Helena, if Mrs. Lovett is beyond her talent, I'm sure she'd do a great job as the crazy beggar woman.

Depp better start taking some voice lessons. He's got big shoes to fill.

Sweeny Todd is a great show. I hope they can pull it off.

Well, that's better than the rumor that surfaced a couple of years before Mendes expressed an interest - that Spielberg wanted to do it. I can't even imagine.

"Sweeney Todd" is one of my favorite musicals - I have the '82 PBS production with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn on DVD - and while I think it would be interesting to see what Hollywood could do with it, I've also been dreading the day it actually happens. I once thought maybe David Lynch could do it justice but that would probably be too weird. If anyone can pull it off, it might be Tim Burton. But can Johnny Depp sing? And who would play Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter?I've seen a clip of Patti Lupone in the current Broadway production as Mrs. Lovett and I thought she was good, she might be a good choice.

I've seen a clip of Patti Lupone in the current Broadway production as Mrs. Lovett and I thought she was good, she might be a good choice.True. I saw her in the concert version on TV a couple of years ago and she did a good job, although she might be getting a little bit old for a film version. Then again, I have a hard time picturing anyone except Lansbury in that role, and obviously that wouldn't work. I was thinking maybe Kate Winslet. She had good chemistry with Depp in "Finding Neverland", and she can sing. I'm sure she'd have done it if Sam Mendes were directing.

All I can say for certain is, pleeeease don't let it be Jennifer Lopez...

I'd love to see a movie version of this musical, after all of the non-musical versions filmed. I think Tim Burton is a fantastic director, especially for Sweeney Todd (that is if he goes dark like Sleepy Hollow instead of dark-comedy like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)- but Johnny Depp is so wrong for the role! For one, an actor can't even just go to three months singing lessons and expect to sing the score for Sweeney Todd- it's something that takes years. If it's done as a musical, the score will be cut down to a level were Depp can sing-speak it, which pretty much ruins it for the other actors.

I know that big stars are needed for a lot of movies to be noticed- but Mrs Lovett should be the 'big star casting' role instead of Sweeney Todd- I'm sure a lot of actresses would love the part (I can see Meryl Streep doing it). Also, Depp looks too young and preserved, whilst Hearn and every other Sweeney has looked older and more rough.

Depp looks too young and preserved, whilst Hearn and every other Sweeney has looked older and more rough.

I agree. The role is for someone older.

I like Tim Burton but to me, he made his best stuff years ago. I think he has gone downhill as a director however, I would be very interested to see him to a musical.