Sticktopriest--wait and watch the news. Apparently, there are negotiations underway with the folks who represent Nicole Kidman and those who represent Meryl Streep.
Some of the powerbrokers behind this film want KIDMAN because they consider her ALMOST ASSURED box office. Additionally, they feel it will be much easier finalizing negotiations with Mr. Crowe if they sign Ms. Kidman to play Mrs. Lovett. Apparently, Crowe and Kidman have been friends for over 20 years and have wanted to do a project together for a long time. It is my understanding the "Kidman camp" thinks this project IDEAL for Nicole. They point out that she had to withdraw from the film version of THE PRODUCERS because the PRODUCERS changed shooting schedules that interfered with other projects Kidman was already contracted to. Apparently, Nicole Kidman is "dieing" to do a "real film musical" after her taste of MOULIN ROUGE. Also, those in her camp say this woman's talents have no boundaries and point out she can sing and perform Mrs. Lovett in a way that will astonish us. Some of Ms. Kidman's representatives were a bit hesitant about Nicole playing Ulla in THE PRODUCERS film to begin with; they simply felt the part was too small for an Oscar winning star of her current stature. They feel Mrs. Lovett is perfect for her to show EVERYTHING she can do. They have said this will be another chance to do a character "from inside out," similar to the way she performed her Oscar winning role in THE HOURS.
Ms. Kidman and her people want the world to see that the same actress who is about to be on the big screen as Samantha in BEWITCHED can morph into a "Dickensian like singing witch" as Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD.
I heard them compare Nicole Kidman appearing as Mrs. Lovett to the fact that Angela Lansbury created the part of the glamorous madcap MAME on Broadway and years later "totally morphed" and indeed could have seemed to be a different performer when she played the outrageously grotesque and bufoonish part of Mrs. Lovett.
Having said that, there are some very powerful people behind this production who realize Kidman's talent AND her current "box office certainty." But, they are said to find the thought of Hollywood's former reigning queen, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Lovett, virtually impossible to resist.
I have been told Meryl Streep WANTS this part much more than Ms. Kidman does. Kidman wants to do the part, she wants to work with Crowe and wants to do a full out musical. However, she does not have the passionate desire to play the part that Ms. Streep apparently has.
The "smart money" is telling me that Meryl Streep is about to sign for the film. Many years ago Carol Burnett said that you have to be good enough for a part but you also have to "want it with a passion" in order to pull out all the stops to "get" the part against the competition.
Ms. Streep has made it clear that she wants to be Mrs. Lovett onscreen.
Watch for "signing" news within the next ten days. :)
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
Updated On: 4/1/05 at 10:51 AM
