Tim Burton & Johnny Depp Team For 'SWEENEY TODD' Movie Musical Adaptation — Page 4

I think best12bars has a good point... do we even know that this is the Sonheim musical we're talking about? And, if so... doesn't he have a pretty big say in the creative process? One would think.

Burton will have to show us a very different side of his abilities if this is actually a film version of the Sondheim show.

He's never been able to have a genuinely menacing tone on film yet. The closest he's come so far is "Sleepy Hollow," and every time he got anywhere near scaring us, he would pull out some over-the-top (sometimes unintentional), humorous shtick.

That will deaden the impact and "thriller" aspects of Sondheim's work, if he tries to do that here.

They'll have to change the show's tag line from "A Musical Thriller" to "A Musical Curiosity."

Since this is only a rumor being reported on MovieMusicals.net, and since they admit they're already not sure what script he's using... I think I'll wait to "pre-judge" further until it's officially announced.

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Depp is way too much the conventional babe to play Sweeney.

I think the Rent movie was a pretty clear example that these movies need someone directing them who has a musical theatre background and knows how to get around the challenges of keeping a musical honest. Get Mendes back, I'm begging you!

She might be too old (especially if they cast Depp) but I want Carol Burnett to play Mrs. Lovett. If not here then somewhere.

I didn't know, Gothampc.

I hope he's learned his lesson.

Mendes or no Sweeney at all.

As far as Sondheim's involvement with any proposed film version of his work, that would entirely be predetermined by the signed contract when the rights were sold to begin with.

I have no idea what his agreement already was. But he doesn't own the rights to a film version of "Sweeney" now. Someone else does. And he could have signed it over lock, stock and barrel as many do (like Margaret Mitchell and her beloved "Gone With the Wind"), or he could have had it written into the agreement that he be heavily involved in the creative decisions. That is DOUBTFUL though. Since most studios and producers today wouldn't agree to such terms up front. Very few have in the past... in fact the ONLY one that comes to mind is P.L. Travers with "Mary Poppins." If you watch the terrific documentary on the new DVD, they point out that Disney wanted the rights to it so badly, he agreed to giving her the final sign-off on all creative aspects (script, casting, director, songwriters, etc.). If she didn't like the choices made, she could have it changed.

...Something that was and is all but UNHEARD of.

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Updated On: 1/8/06 at 12:50 PM

I would imagine Sondheim to be very protective of his work. He wouldn't allow his work to be turned into a movie musical adaptation if he didn't believe in them.

You must also understand studio impact. Without Hollywood names - what are the chances a studio will support a movie musical? How will the studio make money? They don't care about the art - they want the moolah. Money first, art second.

Chicago - HUGE names. Pre-movie: "Can they even sing?" Post-movie: Oscars galore.

I've already said it but I'll say it again: Can Depp even sing?

And best12bars - 95% certain it is the Sondheim musical.

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Well, I HOPE it is the Sondheim version. I would like to see at least a "noble attempt" at a screen adaptation of his musical.

However, if it's a non-musical film of the Sweeney legend (which could easily happen from any studio or producer at any time, since the basic story is from the 18th century and definitely "public domain" material)... then we won't be seeing Sondheim's musical at the multiplex anytime soon. I'd bet good money that it would be shelved immediately if this is the case. The Depp/Burton pairing is too high-profile of a package.

So... even with a lot of questions and doubts as to Depp as a Sondheim-singing Sweeney and Burton as its director... I'm actually hoping that this turns out to be the case.

But official announcements are still pending, per the Web site.

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Updated On: 1/8/06 at 01:22 PM

Once again, Best12bars makes very valid points. I'm still working through what I think of this pairing, and I generally like both Burton and Depp. I wouldn't actually be too surprised if this is the Sondheim musical version they're discussing. Burton hasn't actually tackled a full-out musical yet, though Charlie & The Chocolate Factory had musical elements, and Sweeney would appeal to him, if anything would. Depp can sing, I believe, but whether he's up to Sweeney is certainly debatable. Still, neither Depp or Burton is a stupid man, and I doubt either would choose Sweeney, just for the sake of "doing a musical." They would understand the potential risks and both are savvy about the industry in which they work. Right now, I think I'll give both the benefit of the doubt, at least until the official announcement is made and we see what transpires in the production buzz.

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Tim, you need help NOW for your Johnny Depp addiction. Movies CAN be made without him. Let the poor man play some roles he SHOULD be playing, not just because you're the director.

Depp has surprised the public before time and time again. I wouldn't be surprised if he would make a good Sweeney. It's rare to see an actor with such diversity.

I wish this were more than a rumor; the Tim Burton part at least.

I don't want to see a topsy-turvey, Halloweentown style Fleet Street. It completely negates the serious, gritty aspects of the piece.

I do have faith in Johnny Depp. I would have NEVER known the that man in Fear and Loathing was also Jack Sparrow if the credits hadn't insisted it was so.

All the movie sites are weighing in on this.

http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=5646

THE DEMON DIRECTOR OF FLEET STREET
01.08.06
By Devin Faraci
Contributing sources: Movie Musicals

I guess there are no hard feelings that Tim Burton will be working with Jim Carrey in the upcoming Ripley’s Believe It or Not movie – the director and his longtime leading man Johnny Depp are looking at working together a sixth time, adapting Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

This, to me, is a terrible idea, and on a couple of levels. First of all, Depp can’t play Todd – the character is much older and creepier than any studio exec would ever allow Depp to be. But even if Depp is allowed to get rid of his good looks, Burton’s the wrong director for the project. I’ve never seen a serious Tim Burton movie – they’re all campy and slightly self-parodying, and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, while containing humor, is really a horror melodrama. It’s easy to assume that a musical about a barber who slits the throats of his customers and teams up with his landlady to turn their bodies into cheap meat pies must be a black comedy, but the story – based on reality – is done up fairly straight, all things considered. I don’t think Burton could do that. He would be too tempted to give in to the high Hammer camp of his dreadful Sleepy Hollow.

The official announcement on this is expected in a few weeks. It’s not the first time Burton has tried to make this show into a film, but I thought that the movie was firmly in Sam Mendes’ hands. Maybe if Jarhead had done better he’d still be on it. There’s a script by John Logan right now, but it’s unclear if Burton will start over from scratch. My bet is that he will.