What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?

Does the current SWEENEY revival need to close before they realize how bankable this movie is?

Does it depend on the success of the "Dreamgirls" and "Hairspray" movies?

With the right director and cast I think this movie could be as successful as "Chicago" scoring itself quite a few Oscar nominations.

With name actresses like Meryl Streep (or even Catherine Zeta-Jones, with the right age make-up) that can MORE than handle Mrs. Lovett and deliver chilling performances, no doubt, and actors like Kevin Spacey and Russel Crowe all rumored for the lead role I don't understand why this movie has been constantly pushed to the back burner.

And it upsets me that Sam Mendes has dropped this project. He could have delivered a top notch film.

It's a shame.

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Updated On: 5/18/06 at 01:54 PM

I believe Logan has finished the script.

I may be wrong, however.


Also, I could be WAY off here. But, if she can sing, wouldn't Kiera Knightley make a wonderful Joanna? I can see it.

But it also depends on the age they're going for. Joanna is supposed to be a teenager after all.

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Updated On: 5/18/06 at 02:03 PM

GYPSY, there were rumors that Tim Burton would pick up the project with Johnny Depp as Sweeney.

But, so far, that's unconfirmed.

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I heard about the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp project but didn't know that Mendes was offically dropped.

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As of right now, the project is back on the shelf.

I just don't want to see it become a surreal "Burton cartoon," with a twisted little London set, and Jack Skellington as the Judge (or something along those lines). Bleeccchh.

I would have much preferred Mendes.

Or hell, after Condon finishes Dreamgirls, let him take a few weeks off and then dive into this one!

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My only fear with Burton is that it will look too "cartoon-y."

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I would much prefer a "Ripper-esque" London here. Realistic in approach, appropriate to the period of the show, and very creepy.

If a movie of "Sweeney" is going to hit in wide release, it's going to have to scare the crap out of audiences. The "musical" aspects of it will only appeal to a smaller percentage of the ticket buyers (by comparison). If it gives 'em nightmares, we'll have a "winner."

It really needs to be a full-on "horror/musical" on the big screen. Not a quaint, slightly disturbing, thought-provoking, tongue-in-cheek trip through Burtonland.

The reason I think Condon would be so good for it is that he is a true fan that also happens to have directorial experience in BOTH genres. A perfect choice, IMO.

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Tobias Ragg was a child in the original "legend."

And the character of Johanna (added only for later versions of the Sweeney stories) is 16 years old, according to this Sondheim incarnation.

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I`ve been talking to people on IMDB.com about this for half a year and I`ve been constantly posting my dreamcast so....here it is!

Sweeney Todd: Kelsey Grammer

Mrs. Lovette: Bernadette Peters

Pirelli: Alan Cumming

Beggar Woman: Andrea Martin

Judge Turin: George Hearn (I would be an awesome shout out!!!)

Joanna: Lauren Molina

Beadle: Alexander Gemani (sp?)

Tobias: Neil Patrick Harris

Anthony: ?

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I hate the idea of Kelsey Grammar in the lead. Him and Bernadette Peters would have the chemistry of a piece of cardboard.

I also don't like the idea of Bernadette. On stage, maybe - on film, no way.

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You hate the idea because you probably somehow recall talking to someone who might have seen Grammar when he performed the role with Christine Baranski in Los Angeles as part of Reprise! a few years ago.
Ranks right up there with one of the most phoned in performances I've ever seen and turned Sweeney into a snoozefest.

See, now you're just being mean, FOAnatic.