So, now that the SWEENEY movie has been put on the fast track with Depp starring...who do we think should be cast as the other leads?
Patti LuPone as Mrs Lovette
Kristin Chenoweth as Johanna
Burton reuses a lot of people over and over in his films - so looking at his filmography is a good place to start...
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessagemodern.cfm?thread=900683&m=2256319
Freddie Highmore
Helena Bonham Carter
Christina Ricci
Albert Finney
Emily Watson
Tracey Ullman
all seem within the realm of possibility.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
Kristin Chenoweth? Er...
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
In response:
Patti - not too well known
Kristin - also not too well known and a bit too old
I think Stokes should be the singing voice for Depp (I dunno, though. Does Depp sing?)
Kristin would be amazing! I concur!
Kristin would have been amazing if the film were made in 1985.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
Amen.
Incidentally, I hope that Danny Elfman doesn't provide the score because that would be a disgrace to Sondheim.
Sondheim is VERY controlling over his revivals and movies.
There's no way he'd let Elfman have creative control over the music.
The little oompa loompa man as Toby?
What about Tracy Ullman as Mrs Lovette?
I'm pretty sure that Sondheim has no say in how the music is handled in the film. As far as I know, the film rights have been sold with no requirement of the composer being able to provide input. This is standard for any sale of film rights.
Knowing Tim Burton's work, Elfman will inevitably be involved in some capacity. If he and Burton are smart, hoever, they'll know enough not to tamper with this almost entirely sung through piece.
Ha. Oompa man......
Anyway.....
Direction by Burton is going to make it...I dunno....different. I like it dark but Burton has this specific dark like..childish effect. And it will make it main stream for every 13 year old who has Nightmare Before christmas bed sheets. :
But god, no one better try to touch the score other than Sondheim. I think I would cry.
Well, the piece is definitely not all sung through Kyle. I wrote a review almost a year ago of the John Logan script which is mostly wonderful and very stylized but cuts several numbers.
It wouldn't surprise me if Sondheim were consulted for his opinion about certain casting/cuts/etc., but no - he himself will have no control over any aspect of the film.
And don't expect Burton to make a film for the fans of the stage show. Nor should he. That was the biggest mistake made in the filming of RENT.
Updated On: 6/13/06 at 10:38 AM
In response to 'Does Depp sing?'. Apparently he did quite a bit. I can't find the internet source now, but in a few bios it talks about him singing, and some interviews as well. Maybe someone has a link?
What about Tracy Ullman as Mrs Lovette?
I was thinking the same thing. Not sure how that would turn out, but she's extremely talented. Toni Collette or Meryl Streep would also be amazing.
I don't doubt Johnny Depp's talent, but he can't play everything. I just don't think he's right for this role. It makes me very skeptical.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
I realize that this is off-topic, but I think this is a HORRIBLE idea. I love Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, but a movie of Sweeney Todd is NOT a good idea.
Freddie Highmore- Tobias
Helena Bonham Carter- mrs lovett
ewan mcgregor- anthony
Albert Finney- judge turpin
Tracey Ullman- beggar woman
I'd love to see Meryl Streep as Mrs. Lovett. How freakin' amazing would she be?! And I kinda like the idea of Ewan as Anthony...hhhmmm....
Cheers,
Christopher
I'm ever so curious to see how they cast Tobias. I mean, are they going to cast a kid? A teenager? Someone in their 30's?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
Crispin Glover for Tobias!
Crispin Glover would be awesome in this movie, for any role. I know that he does sing, to a certain extent, in that he released an album years ago.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
Yes. And it has the greatest title for anything ever: THE BIG PROBLEM DOES NOT EQUAL THE SOLUTION, THE SOLUTION EQUALS LET IT BE.
In John Logan's script - Toby is a child. Freddie Highmore was who Mendes wanted.
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