Russell Crowe Considering Sweeney Todd Movie

Ew. I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

Does anyone know if he can sing?

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Updated On: 3/31/05 at 12:05 PM

Crowe is about as well-suited, acting-wise, as anyone I can think of to play Sweeney. But as for the singing...well, he has a rock band, but Gerard Butler supposedly has a rock star voice, too.

Updated On: 3/31/05 at 12:09 PM

Russell Crowe is one of the hardest working, most disciplined actors working today in film. He's got some sort of musical background, and I'm sure if he took on the project, he'd get himself up to snuff. And I'm sure the theater people behind the project (Sam Mendes, Stephen Sondheim) wouldn't allow otherwise.

I'd love to see Toni Collette get this. I think she's got tremendous energy and versatility on film, and anyone who's listened to LaChuisa's "Wild Party" knows the girl can sing. I know she's a bit young, but aging makeup is one of the number one ways to score Oscar gold.

I have no doubt in my mind that Crowe could pull off the part acting-wise. It's the singing that I'm concerned about. And the fact that Sweeney has one of the most challenging vocal parts in all of musical theatre.

"He's got some sort of musical background, and I'm sure if he took on the project, he'd get himself up to snuff."

His musical background in a rock band, you mean? Going from a contemporary, "rock" sound to a classical, operatic sound is no easy feat. Classical singers work for YEARS perfecting their sound.

I'm not saying that Crowe can't do it. I don't know his singing abilities. But to think that you can take a great actor who is unaccustomed with theatrical singing and, in a six-month-long pre-production period, turn him into material for the lead role in one of the greatest operatic musicals of all time is a little risky, don't you think?

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Updated On: 3/31/05 at 12:43 PM

Crowe also played Eddie and Dr. Scott in an Australian tour of 'Rocky Horror' way back when.

'Sweeney's obviously much tougher material than that but I think Crowe could pull it off, at least for the purposes of a film score.

It would be pretty rough vocally. They don't call him Rusty for nothing. His musical theatre experience is BLOOD BROTHERS and ROCKY HORROR, so I think SWEENEY would be a big stretch for him.

Imelda Staunton would be a GREAT choice, but Russell Crowe, despite being a great actor, probably does not have the vocal chops for it. I mean, MAYBE he does, but being in a rock band and playing Danny in "Grease" in Australia aren't really the appropriate credentials, are they?

What Baritone, do you feel are the credentials for singing Sweeney in the film as opposed to the stage show?

I think we all agree that the needs for one medium are quite different then the other.

And as another poster already said, who ever plays Sweeney will not have to perform the role eight times a week, merely be able to sing it a couple of times in a recording studio.

I'd love to see Toni Collette play Mrs. Lovett too.

A while back, Mendes apparently wanted Meryl Streep for Lovett and Diane Keaton as the Begger Woman.

They may be looking to cast the film a little younger now, though, if those names listed in the Playbill article are accurate.

Emma Thompson might make a good Beggar Woman opposite Crowe and Collette.

Updated On: 3/31/05 at 01:22 PM

hmmmmmmmm, I think attentive board members will recall that months ago this I posted that Mr. Crowe was the leading contender for the role of Sweeney in the film. I am surprised it took so long for something "more official" to be released.

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I'm probably totally off base here, but I think Jennifer Saunders would make an interesting Mrs. Lovett. I know she can sing somewhat, although probably not well enough for the part. At least acting wise though I can see her in the role.

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Plum -- There is a screenplay. It's finished. And Mendes is attached to direct. Whether it actually happens or not is another matter, but things are a little more official (in that regard) than what you indicate in your post. Casting is still totally speculation along with everything else.

Updated On: 3/31/05 at 01:42 PM