Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
#0Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:50pm
http://www.moviemusicals.net/news.html#071205
***
July 12, 2005
Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
By Andrew Hartman, MovieMusicals.net
Status: Rumor From Valid Source
According to Empire, via Dark Horizons, Sam Mendes is now confirmed to direct the upcoming movie musical adaptation of the hit stage production 'Sweeney Todd.'
It was previously reported that Mendes hadn't decided if he would personally direct the film, as he has another project scheduled before 'Sweeney' (in which we now know is 'Things We Lost In the Fire'). Scamp Film & Theatre Ltd., a production company partly owned by Mendes, had always been attached to produce 'Sweeney.'
Apparently, Mendes is very excited about the project and is a big fan of the show.
A release for the film is expected in late 2006.
According to IMDB, John Logan will adapt the screenplay from the stage production's book, written by Christopher Bond. It is unknown if new music will be written for the film. Stephen Sondheim, the show's composer, recently celebrated his 75th birthday.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#1re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:51pm
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#2re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:52pmwell, lets hope they know what they're doing...
#3re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:54pmThen I guess we'll see a confirmation in Variety soon.
musicnmath
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/13/05
#4re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:18pmanother movie musical?! This just makes me deliriously happy.
#5re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:20pmIs Russel Crowe no longer attached to this project?
#6re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:25pm
::musical theatre e#@ction::
::movie directorial e^%ction::
OVERLOAD!!!!
(breath in, breath out)
Alright, I'm doing better. Sweeney, helmed by Sam Mendes, will be amazing. As long as they don't cast someone like Hugh Jackman or Russel Crowe in the title role, Mendes will film it stunningly.
Variations on a Theme blog: http://panekattack.blogspot.com/
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#7re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:39pmWhat would be wrong with Russell Crowe as Sweeney? His performances in The Insider and LA Confidential were two of the finest screen performances of the past decade, IMO. I don't know what his legit voice is like, but I think he could be a great Sweeney.
"Gif me the cobra jool!"
#8re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:44pmIt'll depend wether or not he'll be in jail when they start shooting.
#9re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 3:46pmNo, Crowe is out.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
MATheaterLover
Understudy Joined: 10/13/04
MATheaterLover
Understudy Joined: 10/13/04
#11re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 4:12pmPoor research, CapnHook. If you go find the article that DarkHorizons is referring to on Empire, it doesn't say that Sam Mendes is finally officially set to direct "Sweeney Todd." It says, as has been reported for months, that he is involved in the production of it, nothing new there. Dark Horizons was a little misleading.
#12re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 4:32pm
Hence my wording "According to Empire, via Dark Horizons..." - but you're right, does not make sense.
I tried to find the Empire article with no luck. But thanks for the head's up.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#13re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 4:42pmWell, if the Empire article lists a target release date of 2006, the film will have to begin filming in the next 4-6 months. I'm pretty confident that Sam Mendes is indeed going to direct this, but obviously an official announcement will have to come relatively quickly.
seasons of love
Leading Actor Joined: 1/8/05
#14re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:40pmMendes will do an excellent job with this... He better, or there will be a lot of angry Sondheim/Sweeney fans. :)((smiles)) :)
"I am unfinished- I am diminished
With or without you..."
#15re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:44pm
It's about goddamn time we got a movie of this!
and SAM MENDES OH MY GOD
#16re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 9:24pm
In my alternate life as a film critic, I know Mendes has his Gulf War movie, Jarhead, coming out in the early fall. I doubt he'll start filming another movie until he finishes publicity for his current one.
I hope Imelda Staunton is still under consideration for Mrs. Lovett. I think she would be great.
"WHEN is the winter of our discontent?"
"NOW is the winter of our discontent!"
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#17re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 10:35pmOh please oh please oh please let this come true. Sweeney Todd + Sam Mendes=HAPPINESS.
#18re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 10:41pmI know he's not the casting director, but I would love to see Bernadette as Mrs. Lovett for the film. She and Sam have worked together before.
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
#19re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 10:44pmHe could finish publicity for the film and go straight into shooting another. Steven Spielberg just did that with WAR OF THE WORLDS and VENGENCE (now filming in Europe).
#20re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 10:46pmIs Vengene that Olympics film?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#21re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 11:10pmYes. Not even finished filming and already the front runner for the Oscar.
#22re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/12/05 at 11:11pmI thought this whole movie tihng was a joke, I'm not fond of this idea.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
#23re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/13/05 at 12:18am
Last I heard, Imelda Staunton was the front-runner for Mrs. Lovett.
I hope Angela Lansbury gets a little part, maybe a cameo in "Good that's Good".
#24re: Sam Mendes To Direct 'Sweeney Todd' Film
Posted: 7/13/05 at 12:25amYou know who'd be a great Beggar Woman for the film? Natasha Richardson...
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