WHO SHOULD PLAY MRS. LOVETT IN SWEENEY FILM?- Page 2

[peggyandvelma]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:02pm

Oooh Toni Collete. That's interesting.
The first person to pop in my head was Meryl, too.

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:03pm

Bernadette Peters? She said she wants to do it.
Listening to her on the ATW podcast, she sounds interested in doing it.
However, haven't seen it, but she is so verastile she can pull anything off!

[DG]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:10pm

I like the Toni Collete idea - a lot.

[Junior]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:13pm

I've heard rumors about SOOOO many potential Mrs. Lovetts.First I heard Emma Thompson, who I think would be wonderful as ANYONE in the film. Then, I heard the Meryl Streep rumors, which would be fine with me as well. The most RECENT rumor I've heard is that Toni Collette will be playing it. I don't know much about her, so I'm a little skeptical. But personally, I'd like to see Emma play it. As far as the REST of the cast goes, I'd like to see Ben Eakeley cast as Anthony (I know he's practically unknown, but I saw him play it in the revival and he blew me AWAY!), an unknown play Johanna, Kelsey Grammer as the Beadle, and Jared Leto as Toby. Strange casting choices, I know, but I like a querky cast :)
Updated On: 8/26/06 at 01:13 PM

[Scottie310]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:36pm

I think Toni Collette would be the best choice. Meryl Streep of course could pull it off incredibly and probably win an oscar for it because she is perfect in everything she ever does haha. But I feel like Toni would bring something different to the role and make it more interesting. She is also a little younger, and since Johnny Depp is younger, she would fit him better

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 1:39pm

Sondheim's only stipulation in the casting of Mrs. Lovett is that she be OLDER than Sweeney.

That should narrow your wish list...somewhat.

[Musical Director]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:01pm

Meryl Streep and Kathy Bates, as wonderful as they would be, are way too old for Johnny Depp. The real mistake and the kiss of death for this film is in the casting of Johnny Depp. I don't think Tim Burton is the right director either. Sam Mendes would have been great. And I don't think that Kate Winslet is a bad idea if she can sing.

[jacobp]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:04pm

Although Jonny Depp does seem young I still believe he will pull of a "Killer" (hahahaha) Sweeney Todd and TIm Burton perfexctly matches creepy with humor

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:28pm

Toni Collette is a GREAT choice - I can definitely see that.

I'm still on the fence about Johnny Depp - I think he's an incredibly talented actor - I just don't know about the singing and that's a pretty huge concern. I would have LOVED to have seen Kevin Kline do it - that would have been ideal for the movie, I think.

WHen I first heard (years ago now) about the movie potential, the first director I thought of was Hitchcock, but since he's dead and I don't know how he'd handle a musical, the second was Tim Burton. I think he'll do an amazing job with the material. Will it be traditional? Hell no, and that's fine. I think the Burton stamp will definitely work with the material, even if it is a different beast from the stage show. Who ever said the movie has to be a replica of the stage show? We already have two different versions of that available on DVD!

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:31pm

I want Toni so bad. And Hell she is the girl around Hollywood right now going from Movie to Movie to Movie!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:34pm

jjoey, Patti LuPone starred in a popular TV series for 4 years and has quite an extensive listing of other tv/film roles. I don't know who you're thinking of.
LuPone's IMDB page

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 2:59pm

I did not know Bernadette Peters had ever shown interest in playing Mrs.Lovett (can you elaborate JustaBroadwayBaby?). She'd be ideal in the role but in a stage version, not the film.
Patti LuPone is virtually unknown to a mainstream audience. The producers and Burton are probably aware they need a bankable star to make the movie a commercial success. Toni Collette is slowly becoming a bigger name but will she be trusted to carry the film along with Depp?
My picks are Kate Winslet and Catherine Z. Jones with Donna Murphy playing the Beggar Woman.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 3:00pm

What was Patti in? Kevin Kline would make a great Sweeney! Ah man, the movie isn't even out and we're already crying over spilt milk :P

-personally wants to see Meryl Streep play Mrs Lovett. Emma Thompson is a good idea, I guess, but Meryl can be so dotty... I'd love it. I do hope Meryl has been offered the role.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 7:29pm

Kate Winslet is way too young.

I love the idea of Emma Thompson.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 7:38pm

Annette Bening is who I'm hoping for.

[PirelisMiracleElixir]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:07pm

Personally, I would love to see Patti LuPone play Mrs. Lovett on film, but as that is unlikely to happen, I think that Toni Colette is the best choice. While I thought, for a moment, that Kathy Bates might pull it off, I then imagined Johnny Depp standing next to her and just couldn't imagine any chemistry from that pair.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:19pm

Bernadette.

[ohwillo]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:35pm

It will be Helena Bonham Carter.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:37pm

It most likely won't be Helena Bonham Carter. She might be in it, but I don't think she's older than Depp. Beggar Woman (if the vocals are there) maybe.

But, most likely Lovett will be a British (or Aussie) actor.

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:42pm

Kathy Bates was the first person to pop in to my mind to play Mrs. Lovett.
Junior - I think Jared Leto is a great choice to play Toby.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:42pm

Are you thinking of any Aussies in particular?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:46pm

Not allowed to be specific. Sorry.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:50pm

I thought you were just speculating.

The greatest Aussie for the part I can think of is probably too old to play opposite Depp. And not an international film star.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:56pm

Who were you thinking of? Older is better than younger for the role...

[FinallyAmember]

Posted: 8/26/06 at 8:57pm

haha... I can't believe I joined just to champion for Toni Collette! I've been reading this board for years and I finally joined... WOW...

Anyway, I think Toni Collette would be magnificent! She's going to get recognition for Little Miss Sunshine so maybe that will help out.