Sweeney Todd; Filmimg starts feb 5th

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:02pm

AS reported in the Hollyewood reporter today,

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003018572

DreamWorks Studios has announced an official start of production on "Sweeney Todd." Official word from the studio Wednesday confirmed the project's lead talent and provides additional detail on the movie version of the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical thriller that will be directed by Tim Burton and star Johnny Depp. The DreamWorks and Warner Bros. co-production is scheduled to go before cameras in London at Pinewood Studios on Feb. 5 with an anticipated late 2007 release. Depp will star as the titular Demon Barber of Fleet Street marking the sixth collaboration between the eccentric actor and visionary director.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:05pm

I still can't believe my Sweeney Todd is going to be the next Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I know it's still gonna be fantastic b/c Sam Mendes is involved, and Stephen Sondheim seems to approve it's just that...

...it will strike Hot Topics around the country and that's no good.

As long as the movie serves justice...then i'll be fine.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:06pm

Cool.

They should film it on the real Fleet Street!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:07pm

My feeling about Johnny Depp playing Sweeney was summed up very nicely by Elaine Stritch in the Company documentary:

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:07pm

Hot Topics? I certainly hope this movie doesn't become the next emo trend instead of the brilliant piece of musical theater it is.
Regardless, I look forward to further developments.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:08pm

Oh, I think Johnny Depp will be fantastic. The man can play anything. But can he sing? Let's hope.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:08pm

I can't wait. I am a little skeptical about Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, but I am hoping for the best. What I am really excited about is Tim Burton directing this movie. He was my dream director for this movie. I guess dreams really do come true.

[zzannahk]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:11pm

i just hope he doesn't change all the songs like in charlie & the chocolate factory <-- that made me sad, I wanted to sing and all my songs were missing

[jv92]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:12pm

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was supposed to use new songs. I'm sure Burton and company will use Sondheim's score.

[TheMecca]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:13pm

Tim Burton + Johnny Depp = Hot Topic. EVERYWHERE. However I'll probably end up buying t-shirt a plenty.

Let's hope nobody else at my school does that, especially the people who think they're better than everyone else because they like anime.
Updated On: 8/16/06 at 07:13 PM

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:17pm

Good. Now all the complainers can know how the Hairspray fans feel about their movie upsets. :)

Here's to Michelle Pfeiffer as Mrs. Lovett, Will Ferrell as Anthony, and Felicity Huffman as Johanna!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:22pm

Doesn't Sweeney sing some foreboding bass notes? Can Depp sing those?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:27pm

Depp may do his own singing...

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14381294/

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:35pm

I think people should forget about some sort of faithful version of the Sondheim musical with this project. Even Sondheim himself doesn't expect or want that (and has said so in interviews). It just wouldn't work to have everyone singing operatically for 90% of a film version, so expect major cuts to the score. Non-Broadway fanatics would reject a movie set in 1850's London where people burst into song every two minutes. I assume Burton is mostly looking to capture the feel and mood of the piece and use the music sparingly at appropriate times throughout the story. To me, that's fine. First and foremost, make a GOOD movie. If we want to see and hear the full Sondheim version, we can watch the DVD of Lansbury/Hearn taping.

Updated On: 8/16/06 at 07:35 PM

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:36pm

The funny thing is, though most people in the country have never heard of Stephen Sondheim, by putting Depp in the picture millions of people will go to it and "discover" Sondheim.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:52pm

I echo what Margo says, and as somebody who has actually read the John Logan script, I can confirm that it is NOT a slavishly faithful adaption. Songs are cut, characterizations are rethought: it's a different beast from the Broadway musical. And this was all before Tim Burton puts his thoughts into it!

It has been a long time since I have seen a Tim Burton movie I really liked. But Tim Burton movies tend to make money. That's all I care about honestly - is for the film to be successful. We have the original production on tape. A hit film based on a Sondheim musical could open the door big time not only for other filmed Sondheim adaptations but other movie musicals as well.

[matt schneider]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 8:01pm

Yah, it is finally starting.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 8:07pm

I couple of people have pm'd me about the script. Here is a link to my thoughts on it. The draft I read is back from when Mendes was attached. Logan is still the credited screenwriter, but Burton will surely be putting a lot of new ideas into it.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=900683#2258346

[AElizabeth]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 9:03pm

(Hi guys, I'm new, though I've been a lurker for quite a long time. I didn't do an intro thread because, really, who reads those? But hello. Hope it's alright if I just jump in.)

I really agree with the sentiments Margo expressed. On the whole, you CAN'T translate something directly from stage to screen. I'd rather have a strong film in the movie theaters and strong productions on stages. I'd rather see something that stays true to the tone and intent of the piece but creates a strong, cinematic, appropriate movie than see something that reenacts the stage show for twenty pre-existing fans to enjoy. (I found that to be the strong point of the Lord of the Rings films, actually, that they stayed true to feel and idea, but were willing to be honest about what worked on film and adapt as necessary.)In addition to being respectful of the work, there is something to be said for respecting the medium.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 9:09pm

This will be a very hard sell to the general public IMO

Would much rather see Follies

[bluesoprano]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 9:38pm

I love this musical to death and am a little sad to see it being made into a movie. But I will see it just because it is a Sondheim musical. I just hope that Depp and the rest of the cast can do it justice.

Plus..
I will admit to shopping at Hot Topic and what makes me sad is that people will buy the merchandise from the moviejust because Johnny Depp is in it and probably about half or maybe more will not even know that this movie is actually from a tony award winning musical.

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 10:12pm

Tim Burton likes to make things dark, but with a little bit of child-like feautres. I am sure that the tempo's will be changed, and I AM indeed very upset that Danny Elfman will be having the creative freedom, but I think that Sondheim has most likely seen the script. I just hope Elfman doesn't ruin the show's integrity. Though, I am sure that he will.

The casting will most likely be recycled from Burton's other movies. Helena Bohnam Carter will probably be in it. I think that Depp is a wise choice for Sweeney, marketing/sales wise, but for the pleasure of the people the know the show very well, he is a terrible choice. Burton will probably jam the movie full of ill-humour, that isn't proper for this peice. I don't thin kthat he can sing, but I bet that they will mix hios voice with a real singer's in the film.

This film is going ot be depressing, and possibly the death of Sweeney Todd. We'll have young girls gonig ot see it just to see Johnny, and to faun over him. This movie is gonig to become a trend. It is gonig to become the love for the "gothic/ emo/ punk" kids, and they'll be buying Sweeney merch. at Hot Topic.

So sad.

[corsairstw]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 11:20pm

I truly hope it doesn't become a mainstream thing... with all those emo and goth people. Yes it sort of has that appeal on the outside but there is just so much more the the musical that those people will never understand.

Yay! for them finally getting started on the movie!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 11:47pm

"I AM indeed very upset that Danny Elfman will be having the creative freedom, but I think that Sondheim has most likely seen the script. I just hope Elfman doesn't ruin the show's integrity. Though, I am sure that he will."

Wait a second. When was Danny Elfamn mentioned in any of this? Just because it is a Tim Burton movie does not mean they are going to have Danny Elfman come in and supply music.

broadwayxminixidina, what exactly do you mean "the death of Sweeney Todd"? I would love for this movie and this show to become mainstream. If anything, with Depp's name attached, this will most like be a finacially sucessful, and if the movie is done right (such as Chicago) it will be artistically sucessful.

I for one, cannot wait.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/17/06 at 12:10am

For the love of G-d, what the f*ck does "emo" mean?