What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
#0What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 1:54pm
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.
#1re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:02pm
Well, does anyone know where they stand on a script? My understanding is that it hasn't progressed beyond that point yet.
#2re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:03pm
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.
#3re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:05pm
I didn't know that Mendes dropped out. That is a shame to say the least.
On another note, I vote for Meryl Streep as Mrs. Lovett. She would be scary as hell.
#4re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:07pm
GYPSY, there were rumors that Tim Burton would pick up the project with Johnny Depp as Sweeney.
But, so far, that's unconfirmed.
#5re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:11pm
Johnny Depp checked out the hit revival of "Sweeney Todd" last weekend, prompting speculation that Edward Scissorhands would soon swap his shears for a razor and some Barbasol.
Depp is indeed interested in playing the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but on the big screen, not on Broadway.
He and director Tim Burton are fans of the Stephen Sondheim musical and have been discussing the possibility of doing a movie version.
Any thoughts on who should play Mrs. Lovett?
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/64974.htm
#6re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:11pmI heard about the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp project but didn't know that Mendes was offically dropped.
#7re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:13pmI lost a lot of interest in the prospect after Mendes' ties were cut.
#8re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:18pmAs of right now, the project is back on the shelf.
#9re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:18pmI can only pray Rob Marshall picks it up.
#10re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:19pm
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!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#11re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:22pm
He very well might. Frankly, though, I'd kill to see Burton's design for Sweeney but I guess I'm alone in that.
#12re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:24pmMy only fear with Burton is that it will look too "cartoon-y."
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#13re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:29pm
While I'm sure it would be a bit cartoonish, I believe Burton could do a wonderful job with Sweeney. Mendes, though, would be better.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Toby a little boy in the newest version of the script?
#14re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:30pm
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.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#15re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:31pmYes, I believe Toby is a child in Logan's version.
#16re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:34pm
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.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#17re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:43pmI agree with Best12Bars concerning the horror movie aspect of it. Concerning the dialogue, would alot of teh songs be cut out and replaced with spoken word? I can see it working better than going from song to song. I think if Burton were to direct, it would resemble Sleepy Hallow which wouldn't be such a bad thing.
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#18re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:48pm
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: ?
#19re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:49pm
As the "action" accelerates, I think some of the recitative singing sections would have to be cut, or trimmed down quite a bit.
But Sondheim did an incredible job of "scoring" his musical like a film. The underscoring sections of Sweeney are already very effective.
But there will also need to be quiet little moments of terror, lurking around and leaping out of dark alleyways, for this to really work on the screen.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#20re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:50pm
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.
#21re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:52pmStreep...Streep...must. be. Streeeeep!
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
#22re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:53pm
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.
#23re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 2:57pm
Jack Black as the Beadle.
:runs far away:
#24re: What will come of the SWEENEY TODD movie?
Posted: 5/18/06 at 3:00pm
See, now you're just being mean, FOAnatic.
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