Carol Burnette as Mrs Lovette in Sweeney?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 8:35am

I`ve read that Carol Burnette and Glen Close were recently seen at performances of Sweeney. Do you think they are considering the role of Mrs. Lovette for the movie? They would both be AWESOME in the role! Although my vote is for Meryl Streep!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 8:38am

Carol Burnett is too old for the role now. She probably would have been a wonderful Lovett on stage fifteen years ago, but I don't think she would really even have the energy to do a theatrical production at this point.

Glenn Close, I suppose might be a possibility, but both she and Meryl Streep actually seem old for the role too compared to Johnny Depp.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:11am

Haven`t you heard? Johnny`s not playing Sweeney! (Thank god!) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/


Now they can do it like it`s supposed to be done! This is my cast for Sweeney:

Sweeney: Kelsey Grammer

Mrs. Lovette: Meryl Streep

Judge Turpin: George Hearn (Wouldn`t that be AWESOME!!!!!! It would be like a nod to all Sweeney fans!)

Pirelli: Alan Cumming

Beggar Woman: Andrea Martin

Beadle: Alexander Gemignani

Tobias: Manoel

Johanna: Lauren Molina

Anthony: I HAVEN`T GOTTEN THE SLIGHTEST CLUE



Patti should NOT play Mrs. Lovette in the movie. She already has played the part in London, Broadway, New York Philharmonic, San Diego Philharmonic (Which was filmed so if you want to see her as Mrs.Lovette so badly go out and buy this!) She does not have the star power to put those butts in the seats!

[philcrosby]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:14am

All the press releases to date mention Depp as Sweeney. I couldn't find anything on imdb to contradict that.

I would hope it weren't true, but that's what the news says.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:16am

I think the press releases have said that Burton is "pursuing" Depp, but given Depp's star power and their previous history together -- it would seem extremely likely, unless Depp is say, tone deaf, and doesn't want the stigma of being dubbed.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:22am

"Sweeney: Kelsey Grammer"

Have you heard him sing the role?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:25am

Isn't it possible that Meryl Streep and Glenn Close just wanted to take in a Broadway show because they had heard this was a good production?

Why is it everytime a celebrity attends a show, people assume they are interested in performing a role in it?

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:34am

NathanLaneStalker, I have to disagree with you about Patti. Ideally, she SHOULD play Mrs. Lovett - she's become synonymous with the role. Utlimately, if Johnny Depp is to play Sweeney, I think he has enough of his own star power to put the proverbial "butts in the seats." By complimenting his Hollywood appeal with someone with Broadway appeal (i.e. Patti LuPone), you are appealing to two different crowds and two different interests, thereby increasing your potential audience.

And if we're measuring star power, I don't think I've ever heard someone say, "I'm dying to go see the new Glenn Close movie." Sorry. Meryl Streep is a different case, and I personally adore her. I wouldn't mind seeing her play Mrs. Lovett.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:34am

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I don't see what's wrong with Johnny Depp as Sweeney. I think he's a terrific actor.

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:34am

NathanLaneStalker said:

"Judge Turpin: George Hearn (Wouldn`t that be AWESOME!!!!!! It would be like a nod to all Sweeney fans!)"

It would be AWESOME (if you must) if Len Cariou were to be cast. After all, he was the original Sweeney when it was done the way it was supposed to be done. By the time Hearn did the tour, the production was cut down seriously and Todd became a comic rather than a menacing character.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:38am

I'd love to see Cyndi Lauper as Mrs. Lovett, but don't be surprised to see someone like Nicole Kidman, Renee Zelwegger, or Catherine Zeta-Jones get the part.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:42am

She does not have the star power to put those butts in the seats!

Neither do Alexander, Mano, Lauren, Alan, or Kelsey for that matter.

With that cast the movie would make about two dollars.

And this is coming from someone who loves Andrea Martin.

Updated On: 6/19/06 at 09:42 AM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 9:44am

And Lovett has no "e" at the end.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:01am

Thank you, FOAnatic. I was waiting for someone to say it.


Utlimately, if Johnny Depp is to play Sweeney, I think he has enough of his own star power to put the proverbial "butts in the seats." By complimenting his Hollywood appeal with someone with Broadway appeal (i.e. Patti LuPone), you are appealing to two different crowds and two different interests, thereby increasing your potential audience.
OK babe, hold up. We're talking about an audience of millions upon millions (Mainstream American moviegoers to whom Johnny Depp would be the draw) compared to a few theater queens that will go to see a movie version of SWEENEY regardless of who is cast. Patti LuPone is not a movie draw.

Updated On: 6/19/06 at 10:01 AM

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:09am

I'm sorry if what I said contradicted with what you heard. I don't recall saying she was a movie draw. What I did say was that by casting someone with Broadway appeal (Patti would be the best choice right now, but it could be any Broadway player, really), you would attract your "theater queens" that may otherwise would not see it for their own individual reasons.

I never once said Patti LuPone is a movie draw, thank you. I did say, and I stand by the fact that Broadway performers appeal to the "Broadway audience," which would then thereby increase the POTENTIAL (key word, babe) audience - however marginal that increase would be. That's all I'm saying.

Updated On: 6/19/06 at 10:09 AM

[TheaterJunkie]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:11am

Okay, I love Meryl Streep ( who really doesn't) but I don't think she would be right for the part. She has a good singing vioce but not right for mrs.Lovett. (sorry Meryl fans) She could probably pull off any part but I think they could find someone better for the part. I heard Toni Collette was under negoitations for the role, I think she would be good in the role or at least interesting to watch.

I know Patti LuPone is not an "A lister" but come on right now she would be the best one for the part.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:12am

Wanna Be a Foster is right. The theater crowd would see the film even if Phyllis Diller was Mrs. Lovett.

[sicetergo]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:16am

It's a pity that very few of the actors mentioned thusfar - with the exception of Alan Cumming - could keep up the necessary accent for the duration of the piece.

[Patronus]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:21am

It is also important to point out that imdb is completely non-verified information. Johnny Depp being removed from their page means absolutely nothing.

Not to mention that the concert video with Patti Lupone & George Hearn is not the San Diego Philharmonic but rather then San Francisco Symphony.

[travismoser]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:21am

Glenn Close is only 2 years younger than Patti LuPone. Plus, I think it adds another interesting layer when an older actress is cast. It's happening in the revival right now. Michael Cerveris is almost 12 years younger than Patti.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:37am

When were they spotted? Pre-Tonys? Maybe they are Tony voters...

[allofmylife]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:38am

Phyllis Diller as Mrs. Lovette? That's eerie.

Because 25 years ago, they'd have probably considered her.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:45am

Plus, I think it adds another interesting layer when an older actress is cast.

The definition of an "interesting layer" to money-dropping mainstream American moviegoers most likely refers less to the dynamics of a film than to something resembling an extra squirt of butter on their popcorn.

Updated On: 6/19/06 at 10:45 AM

[travismoser]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 10:57am

However, Burton is a filmaker that usually goes against the grain and cares about things like the character's layers and subtexts. Sweeney Todd isn't going to be your typical "crowd pleaser" anyway. It's not even totally looked at as "commercial" on Broadway, let alone at the movies.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/19/06 at 11:03am

See how his producers feel about that.