Sam Mendes SWEENEY TODD- What Might Have Been?

In an interview with BWW posted tonight, Stephen Sondheim said the following:

"And then a few years ago Sam Mendes did a production of Gypsy in New York City and we were having coffee during the recording session and Sam said "Have you ever thought of Sweeney Todd as a movie?" and I said "Well, Tim Burton once came to me," but otherwise nobody has ever approached me about it," He said "I'd like to do it" and I said "Great! Let's do it."

He got hold of John Logan, the screenwriter, and they started to work it out together and then Sam got frustrated by casting – the people he wanted to cast, for some reason or another, didn't come through and so after a couple of years Sam said "I give up." I don't know exactly who it was who brought it to Tim and said "are you still interested?" – Anyway Tim obviously said "yes," and that's what happened."

It is common knowledge that Mendes was developing the film with John Logan, but does anyone know the specific "casting frustrations" alluded to by Sondheim that ultimately caused Mendes to leave the project?

Specifically, I am interested in who he wanted for what roles and why those people didn't come through.

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Kate Winslet would have been either Lovett or Beggar Woman. =)

Yeah, I can fondly recall conversations a while back where my circle and I were discussing the possibilities of a SWEENEY movie. Russell Crowe was indeed approached for the role, if I'm not mistaken, when Sam was slatd to direct.

Russell Crowe how horrible would that have been, the man is a waste of space.

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Mendes wanted Russell Crowe and Meryl Streep.

I think Burton did right by casting unknowns. I loved the Johanna and Anthony were so young (looking at least) and I think if Begger Woman had been a well-known face outside those of us familiar with Laura Michelle's stage work, then.. well I won't spoil anything.

There would've been less music in it than in Burton's. That's the one thing Burton seems to mention in alot of interviews is that he and John Logan added more music back into the script.

Or the Liza/Goldie Hawn CHICAGO movie that was supposed to happen in the late 1970's.

Or my favorite movie that never was - the Elton John/Olivia-Newton John/Peter Sellers CANDIDE (rumored in the mid '70's, when the Hal Prince revival was on Broadway).

I thought that Imelda Stauton was rumored for Lovett? She would have been perfect.

I would have loved the Streep EVITA. Well, I would have loved to see Meryl's interpretation of the role, can't really tell if I would have loved the actual movie or not since it never happened. As much as I enjoy the Madonna movie, one can't help but wonder what wonders Streep would have done with the role.
And yes, apparently Fosse told Fred Ebb that he would win Madonna an Oscar. I can only imagine what device Fosse's brilliant cinematic mind had planned for the film. But as is the case with SWEENEY, we should all be grateful that the film that actually did come to fruition ended up being wonderful.

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They wanted Madonna as VELMA. Not Roxie.

Goldie Hawn and Liza Minnelli were also set to play the two roles at one point, they even performed ALL THAT JAZZ in a variety show together (can't remember which one). Of course, that fell apart as well. Fosse's CHICAGO would have probably joined ALL THAT JAZZ and CABARET as another one of his masterpieces, however, I'm quite glad that we got the CHICAGO film we got, with the cast we got it with. Such a top-notch ensemble from Zellweger's Roxie (and I dislike her in almost every other movie she has done) to Lucy Liu's fantastic cameo as Go-To-Hell Kitty.
And after actually seeing the SWEENEY film it is clear why Burton cast unknowns for the lovers; he didn't really do much with them.
And yes, I too salivate at the idea of Toni Collette or Meryl Streep playing Mrs.Lovett. But Helena Bonham Carter made this movie for me, she was PERFECT in the role, and it is hard to picture anyone else being better--just as good, perhaps, but not better.

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I would of loved to of seen winslet or kidman as lovett. Helena's vocals make nicole kidman sound like whitney houston. i'm sure helena's acting is fine but i can't help but wonder how more interesting lovetts songs would of been in the movie with someone that could actually sing.