SWEENEY TODD movie "in production"

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:33pm

I was just on IMDB.com looking at Sam Mendes' page and I noticed, since "Jarhead" wrapped...his upcoming movie adaptation of SWEENEY TODD has gone from "announced" to "in production."

I AM SO EXCITED to see this project get started. It says it's aiming for 2006, but I'm thinking it would probably be pushed back a bit.

I can't wait to start hearing casting. I think Mendes will do an amazing job with this.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:36pm

How reliable is imdb.com?

[pab]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:56pm

Not very.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:57pm

Pretty reliable.

At least, in my experience.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:02am

Interesting...but I'm not going to get my hopes up.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:04am

Yeah, I'd get excited but I rather wait for an announcement from playbill.com or Variety. I just want a press release about the cast, I'm so curious about that.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:07am

Agreed--speaking from over a decade of experience of obsessing over internet theater news, nothing is really official until it's on Playbill.com.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:23am

They mentioned this at Wall to Wall. Sondheim seemed pretty hopeful about Sam Mendes, so we'll see. I for one would *LOVE* to see this happen.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:25am

I'll believe it when I see production stills from actual footage. I refuse to get my hopes up, until it is a done deal.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:39am

DEFINITELY off topic, but does anyone have a clue where I might could find the disco Sweeney they did? I'm assuming it was just instrumental, but I would *love* to get my hands on a copy.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 1:42am

I think I've seen it on eBay a few times.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 3:03am

Yes, I also heard that Sam Mendes is going to direct the SWEENEY movie...a while back I heard a rumor that they wanted Russel Crowe as SWEENY, but that was also when I heard the wanted Madonna, THE ROCK and Jennifer Lopez to do a updated movie version of GUYS AND DOLLS! Apparently THE ROCK can sing!

Jovie

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 3:08am

I'm pretty sure it's already settled that Mendes will direct this film but a cast has yet to be announced, can they go in production without a cast? Sorry, I'm not too much into the movie business. Russel Crowe has indeed been rumored to play Sweeney and I am crossing my fingers for this not to happen. Mrs.Bernadette Peters should play Mrs.Lovett, but I've heard rumors about Toni Collette and Imelda Staunton doing this role.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 3:55am

no ray, in production means, in production. It would still be pre-production.

[CJWesselman]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 4:31am

doesn't it seem like every single musical ever is now "in production" for a movie version or is it just me?

[apdarcey]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 5:01am

to me ms. meryl streep should play lovett. she's is one of the greatest actresses of our time. and she can sing.

[fiatlux]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 5:04am

There was an interview with John Logan, in the recent Sondheim Review,on "Translating Sweeney to the screen" - he has been working with Sondheim on this. It seemes to be pretty advanced.
.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:59am

From MovieMusicals.net:

Sweeney Todd [Development]

Scamp Film & Theatre Ltd., a new production company founded by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, and Caro Newling, will helm a big screen adaptation of this Sondheim musical. John Logan shall adapt the script, while Sam Mendes considers directing.

Also - there were rumors of Kevin Kline as Sweeney.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:13am

Kevin and Meryl would be my top picks for Sweeney/Lovett.

I rooting for Jamie Bell as Tobias

[nkohn]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 4:00pm

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

old article from playbill re: russell crowe starring

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 4:03pm

If Russell Crowe gets this role, I may die.
No Russell Crowe, PLEASE!

Meryl Streep would be a great Lovett, though.

[fiatlux]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 4:06pm

Hugh Jackman was reported to really want to play the part. I quite like the idea of Kevin Spacey, now we know he can do an English accent Emma T or Imelda would be perfect.

[sfboy20]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 4:55pm

im not usually a rumour mongerer, yet there was word recently that actors had been offered parts.

the screenplay will be done by screenwriter (last name) Logan, who worked on The Last Samurai.

Reportedly, Russel Crowe was offered the role of Sweeney. And, at that time, Imelda Staunton, Emma THompson, and Toni Collette were in the running for Lovett.

We shall see.

My guess would be that it goes into production in summer or fall 2006 and in a X-mas release 2007. Unless Jarlead does very well at the box office, which might push up a start date.

[glenwj]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 5:07pm

I think Toni Collette would be a perfect Mrs. Lovett.
Can Emma Thompson sing?
I hate the thought of Russell Crowe, although he would look right I think.
I saw Russell in a production or Rocky Horror and he was also in Blood Brothers, he is not a bad singer, but I just don't like him.
Hugh Jackman wouldn't be menacing enough.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 5:14pm

I think Thompson would be better for The Beggar, I definitely would love to see Meryl Streep in this role, she'd kill in this role, but then they'd have to find a leading man that matches her talents, not Russel Crowe!!!! Please!!!!