Russell Crowe Considering Sweeney Todd Movie

[Matt_G]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:03pm

Ooooooooooooooooook....


http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92040.html

[magic8ball]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:05pm

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

Does anyone know if he can sing?

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

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:05pm

'Thompson reportedly acted in some musicals while at Cambridge University.'

AND STARRED IN THE WEST END PRODUCTION OF ME AND MY GIRL!

I'd understand if it was a non-theatre site posting this easily accessible information, but from Playbill??? Come now.

PS I love her 'Once You Lose Your Heart'

[Plum]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:09pm

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

[Matt_G]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:12pm

He very well might be able to sing it. He does look the part, I suppose. And if she can sing, I'd love to see Emma Thompson in there.

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:20pm

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.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:20pm

Bernadette Peters...Bernadette Peters...

[magic8ball]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:43pm

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?

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

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:48pm

'And the fact that Sweeney has one of the most challenging vocal parts in all of musical theatre.'

Remember, as opposed to Hearn or Cariou, Crowe only needs to sing it well ONCE.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:48pm

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.

[magic8ball]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:51pm

"Remember, as opposed to Hearn or Cariou, Crowe only needs to sing it well ONCE."

This is true. Time will tell, I guess.

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:51pm

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.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 12:59pm

Crowe does sing -- and is the "blind item" actor Sondheim was referring to at WALL TO WALL SONDHEIM. Mendes and Sondheim are apparently both keen to have him star.

In terms of the score, my understanding from someone with ties to John Logan, the screenwriter of SWEENEY is that the music is going to be less operatic then it is on stage, which only makes sense when you think about it.

Once you put Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett in an actual pie shop or barber chair with low ceilings and cramped wall space, it would hardly be appropriate for Sweeney to sing "Epiphany" like he is on the stage of the Met.

Everyone involved with the film production thus far seems to be really excited about how its developing.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:03pm

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?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:07pm

I'm gonna put this out there:

How about Andrea Martin as Mrs. Lovett??

Updated On: 3/31/05 at 01:07 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:07pm

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.

[mirandajrs]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:17pm

Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton and Toni Collette....God I love all three so much. I would love to see Toni play Mrs. Lovett though.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:22pm

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

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:26pm

I'd see Emma Thompson as more of a Beggar Woman than a Lovett. In fact, I could see her turn it into a great supporting turn.

I would KILL to see Meryl take on Mrs. Lovett! But with the list provided, my choice would be Toni.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:31pm

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.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:36pm

the role of Mrs. Lovett in the film looks like it is coming down to:
Nicole Kidman or Meryl Streep with my understanding that Ms. Streep (who apparently is a glorious singer)has the inside track.

[mirandajrs]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:36pm

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.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:39pm

There's been whispers about Crowe and Sweeney for...well, for just about as long as I've been tracking rumors of a Sweeney movie. And this isn't even remotely "official." A report from the Daily Mail? Are you kidding me? The British tabs will print anything and everything and sometimes seem to make things up outright.

Right now what we have is a movie that has a production company, a possible director (who takes years and years between movies and is currently working on something else), and a screenwriter. Don't pin too much hope on it- there isn't an actual screenplay, no one's been cast, and there's no timetable. For all we know it could take another 10 years to come out, or never come out at all.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:42pm

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

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 1:44pm

i think Russel would be great playing sweeney acting wise..singing i dont know..i know he can sing and has a band but i haven't heard him sing much....Toni would be a great choice as mrs. lovett.