Johnny Depp talks a little about Sweeney Todd movie — Page 4

I think that Depp could do a great job and I thought at one time he was in a band before becoming an actor; but I'm not sure...I'd just heard it from a friend the other night when we were talking about him and the possibility of Sweeney.

I saw Prarie Home Companion last night and I think Streep would be the definitive Lovett...there's something about her that is so alluring and she it really the epitome of a chameleon actress. I think she could be brilliant with Lovett...we'll see tho.

Cheers,

Christopher

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No other casting has been announced yet and remember, this is a film, not a stage show. Things that work on stage will not work on film. The current film script will surprise you, but not disappoint. Sweeney, by nature, is a quiet figure. Depp will be great. And yes, he can sing. He was being "demure" in his interview.

Sondheim, although proud of the original version, always wanted the show to be more intimate. The whisper of the blade... Sweeney is sitting beside you and will scare the hell out of you. This is one of the reasons he loves the current production. It sneaks up on you and in his words becomes very "unsettling". Expect the same for the film.

I can't speak of casting yet, but when I learn, I'll tell what I can.

Also, generally, the musical numbers and vocals are usually recorded BEFORE shooting a film musical. Looping will occur post production to fix any changes after editing. Elfman will most likely score the film (of course with Sondheim's musical themes). Don't expect "Green Finch" or "Epiphany" to be in the film. These pieces won't translate. Per Sondheim's request, the film is to be approached as a film, not a direct translation of the Broadway production. And, again, he is very happy with the current script and Burton doing it. (Burton has been writing him since the original show came out, so he won't "screw it up with his twisted mind". Trust me, they are of very like minds (including Depp--also a fan of the show)!

EDIT: Yes Depp did have a band. He was a musician when he started his acting career. (Nicholas Cage sent him on his first audition...)

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Updated On: 7/6/06 at 05:27 PM

I would love to see Cyndi Lauper or Streep as Lovett w/ Helena Bonham Carter as Beggar Woman.

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Christopher Lee is a GREAT idea for the Judge!

If you have problems seeing Depp as Sweeney, just look back at some of the stills from Scissorhands... In the scene where he dresses himself, he looks exactly like the original Sweeney design! White shirt, dark pants with the suspenders. Once he finds his character image he's pretty committed to it. (remember that in "Sleepy Hollow" he used Angela Lansbury as an inspiration...and Keith Richards for the Pirate movies)

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Updated On: 7/6/06 at 07:16 PM

I probably stand alone on this but I would love to see Christopher Walken tackle Sweeney but I don't think he can sing

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I think Megan Mullally would be great opposite Depp as Mrs. Lovett.

We need an actor who is capable of delivering a deeply moving performance. Someone who you can clearly tell has lived a hard life just by looking at them. Someone physically imposing, with the body of someone who's been on an Australian prison farm for 16 years, and could survive a month on a raft besides. Someone whose face is beaten and scarred to the point that his own neighbors, employees, and enemies that had watched his every move would look him in the eye with nothing more than a faint deja vu. Someone who can sing.

In other words, we need Ron Perlman.

I don't know, I personally have great confidence in this film in the hands of Burton/Depp. Johnny Depp is indescribably capable of morphing into a character that no one saw coming. I have a sincere respect and trust that he would make a unique and original sweeney. While his singing may not be on the same par as George Hearn, you never know... a quieter sweeney does not mean less intense.
As for Burton, I think Big Fish really proves that he's capable. While the imagery is more fantastic than would be fitting for Sweeney, I believe this film more than any shows Burton's ability to translate words into a production that invokes feelings from the audience and really makes the audience think. He is a great thinker, in my opinion, who asks questions with his films rather than answers them, and I think that motif would lend an interesting slant to Sweeney. Like I said, I might be overly trusting, but I do have an enormous amount of faith here, and I'm not usually a huge fan of this musical.

PS: I could be wrong, but I'm fairly positive that most of the music for "The Producers" movie was recorded/performed on set and touched up in the studio. Just offering one more example.

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I still think Tim Burton could make this great WITHOUT it being a musical version. I'd love to see it as just a regular film.

Ok, what about Victor Garber? Not as Anthony obviously, but as the Judge or something, maybe a cameo. Maybe even Sweeney. I mean we know he can handle it vocally, and he is a bankable actor.

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If they can make Paris Hilton sing, Depp will sounf just fine as TODD. It will definitly be a film though, probably along the lines of Fosse's Cabaret.


Would love to see Lauper as Lovette though.

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