Understudy Joined: 12/13/05
I'm not saying Patti LuPone should play the role on film, I'm just saying there are plenty bankable older actresses that could play the role and that an age difference isn't a problem in response to a previous post. As long as you have a few major stars like Johnny Depp, you can always throw in a few theater faves.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
I personally would love to see Renee Zelwegger play Mrs Lovett. I think she has the presence, the charismatic personality and the talent to pull it off.
^ I don't think Renee Zellweger is right for the part.
Renee could NEVER sing Sondheim. Who are you people kidding?
It doesn't matter who they put in it. The movie's a flop, before it's even made. Nobody's interested in seeing a lousy Sondheim musical. Well, nobody but the people here. That's not enough to make a film a success. I can't believe that any studio would be willing to waste their money on it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
"I personally would love to see Renee Zelwegger play Mrs Lovett. I think she has the presence, the charismatic personality and the talent to pull it off. "
****gag*****
"a lousy Sondheim musical"
huh?
Well, I think it's lousy. I despise the music, much in the same way I hate the music in 'Piazza'. It just rambles on, without any melody, that I want to hear. I would think most of the movie-going public, which isn't too keen on musicals to begin with, would feel as I do. Hell, Broadway audiences barely embrace Sondheim.
Tim Burton has been wanting to do this project since he first saw the original production. Depp is also a big fan of the show. Sondheim has made it clear to Burton that he doesn't want a direct translation of the the musical. Steve wants the movie to be a horror film first. (I've heard the above from the man himself)
There will still be music, but much will be cut. Casting is still in progress. More info later when I get it...
"Lousy Sondheim musical" indeed!! Are you insane?!?!?
Understudy Joined: 12/13/05
Just out of curiousity, what are some of your favorite musicals, JohnBoy2?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
JohnBoy2- Then why do so many people love this show?
Fonatic- Kelsey is a big name star! the others aren`t but with Kelsey, Meryl, Andrea, and Alan that should be enough!
Patti shouldn`t do the movie. I LOVE her as Mrs. Lovett but not in a movie!
Sorry about the San Diego/San Francisco mix up!
If not Kelsy how about Alfred Molina or Victor Garber?
Johnboy is clearly into more of the "fluff musicals."
You don't have to like the show, but calling it lousy?
Understudy Joined: 12/13/05
In the words of The Waltons, "Goodnight, John Boy"
Renee Zelwegger!!!!!!! Wha. . . .Wha. . . .EW!
And that's my mature response.
"Well, I think it's lousy. I despise the music, much in the same way I hate the music in 'Piazza'."
Oh, this is going to get interesting....
"Fonatic- Kelsey is a big name star! the others aren`t but with Kelsey, Meryl, Andrea, and Alan that should be enough! "
Kelsey is not a big name star. Remember his Macbeth? That lasted a week. In fact, the only person from that list of yours that IS a big star is Meryl Streep.
"Steve wants the movie to be a horror film first. (I've heard the above from the man himself)"
I actually think that would make me enjoy the piece a lot more. I disliked most of this revival, but the few moments I enjoyed were late in Act 2, when you could really feel some tension.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
The fact that they COULD do it as a horror film might actually make it slightly interesting to mainstream audiences.
Although, Depp's Jack the Ripper flick pretty much fizzled.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
Kelsey`s a big star just because of Fraiser and Cheers!
Alan Cumming`s a big star! Andrea Martin is like a B list.
You're being delusional. Kelsey is not a big name star. People may know who he is, but they're not running to see him in any movies.
Same thing for Alan Cumming. His only film successes have been in the Spy Kids movies.
Andrea Martin isn't even B list. In fact, I doubt she registers on any "list." If you surveyed 100 random people (i.e. people not from BWW), I'd guess at least 90 of them had never heard of Andrea Martin.
I enjoy all of these performers, but none of them are the major stars you make them out to be.
Hey, it's a free country. I'm allowed to like shows with a score that have a melody line to them.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/13/05
As long as we're talking about AWESOME Judge Turpins, and as long as Tim Burton is doing and he does have a group of actors he utilizes a lot...
Why not Christopher Lee as Judge Turpin? I mean, he's had classical training as an opera singer, I believe, so I think he'd be at least capable. Plus he's creepy as all hell and would be great pervy old man, I'm sure.
I think the point is that the theatre queens will be running to see a movie version of Sweeney Todd anyways, so there's no need to cater to the "theatre crowd."
And I disagree that Patti is no synonymous with Lovett. Lansbury is and always will be connected with that role, and Patti will always be Eva Peron.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
All I have to say is the current revival Lovett and a Tim Burton Lovett have the name CYNDI LAUPER written all over them.
I think Streep is the best idea for the movie and I would love Joanna Gleason playing her during the run of the show. I would love to see her with a tuba!
Patti Lupone - Lovett
Bill Smitrovich - Sweeney
Kellie Martin - Johanna
Chad Lowe - Anthony
Chris "Corky" Burke - Tobias
N.L.S.: Patti didn't play "Sweeney" in San Diego... it was a few performances with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. I was there on July 21, 2001. It is the San Francisco Sweeney Todd that was filmed and shown on PBS on Halloween Day 2001. From Roman in Austin, Texas
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