Sondheim wants voice test for Depp re Sweeney- Page 4

[Roger246]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:55pm

Depp is Sweeney!

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 2:11pm

So much for Sondheim wanting that voice test (unless it happened and he passed...). I was hoping that this (JD being cast) wouldn't actually happen. I like Johnny as a actor, but I don't like that thought of him possibly not being able to sing - or give justice to - the music of Sweeney. I should give him the benefit of the doubt, but that's had to to for me.

[Fan2]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 2:16pm

I think if it was another director other than Burton, Depp wouldn't be doing this - this is the SIXTH time Depp and Burton are working together (which happens a lot with actors and directors).

[JoMarch]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:02pm

"Recently a number of actors have successfully played well known singers: Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles, followed last year by Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash; Joaquin Phoenix was nominated for his role of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. Their success has encouraged studios to take more chances with raw voices."

I really really really thought Foxx lip-synched to Ray Charles. True, right?

[Fan2]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:06pm

http://www.berklee.edu/news/2005/04/sobel_ray.html

>Sobel's role as music supervisor was multifaceted, as well. Among his many tasks for Ray, which included functioning as a liaison between director and production departments, he assisted the director in making decisions regarding Ray Charles's recording sessions for the movie (called "pre-records"), casting, and other matters. He also coached Jamie Foxx on his hand- and lip-synching to perfect the optical illusion that the actor is actually performing all of the music. Sobel used a digital video camera to chronicle numerous meetings between Charles and Foxx and burned them to DVD for the actor to study. He also shot video of Charles during his pre-records, focusing on his hands, to give Foxx images to analyze and mimic. Foxx was a dedicated student, but Sobel kept working with him throughout the production so that audiences would see hands and lips move in perfect synch with the music, as if Charles himself were reenacting his life for the movie.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:26pm

Mrs. Lovett is hard to learn, but quite easy to sing. It's range is pretty meager.

[Faith2]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:33pm

Johnny Depp and Sondheim

Great combo - can't wait! They are both just a wee bit weird, and with Tim Burton also thrown into the mix, it sould be FAB! Just my cuppa tea!

Can't wait to see/hear if Johnny can sing????????

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:35pm

I agree with buffyactsing. I mean, I wouldn't know if it's hard to learn but I do know it's not a role that requires an actress like Audra McDonald or Victoria Clark. I'm positive Meryl Streep could handle the roel vocally although I doubt she'd be cast opposite Depp's Sweeney. Now that Depp has been cast I assume younger actresses like Kate Winslet and Toni Collette will be pursued.
Updated On: 8/16/06 at 03:35 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 4:10pm

Kate Winslet and Toni Collette are, for the record, both ten years younger than Depp. I do think these are the types of names that will be considered, but both are probably technically too young to play Lovett opposite him.

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 4:14pm

I really really really thought Foxx lip-synched to Ray Charles. True, right?

I believe he sang a couple of the early songs.

Well, my curiosity is definitely piqued about this Sweeney.