'Sweeney Todd' begins production with Johnny Depp, Tim Burton
Principal photography has begun in London on "Sweeney Todd"; starring Johnny Depp in the Tim Burton directed screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller.
"I've always wanted to do a musical and 'Sweeney Todd' is my favorite," said Tim Burton. "Stephen's blend of humor, horror and emotion is something that has always connected with me."
Full story:
http://www.bendweekly.com/news/3117.html (http://www.bendweekly.com/news/3117.html)
Now, I'm a fan of Burton and Depp, but this has the potential to be a real classic of bad cinema. Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is more of an opera than a traditional musical, and the casting of Johnny Depp as Todd and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett doing their own singin' in two of the most difficult roles ever written could turn out to be an unmitigated disaster.
Here's the announced cast:
Johnny Depp ... Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker
Helena Bonham Carter ... Mrs. Nellie Lovett
Alan Rickman (!)... Judge Turpin
Timothy Spall (!!)... Beadle Bamford
Christopher Lee (!!!) ... The Gentleman Ghost
Sacha Baron Cohen (!!!!) ... Signor Adolfo Pirelli
Jamie Bower ... Anthony Hope
Jayne Wisener ... Johanna
Laura Michelle Kelly ... The Beggar Woman
Ed Sanders ... Tobias Ragg
Anthony Head ... Ballad Ghost
Peter Bowles ... Ballad Ghost
I predict this will be a really, really great film... or a real stinker.
Production was apparently interrupted due to Depp's daughter's illness, but it seems she's all better now and filming will resume.
(http://socialitelife.com/images/burtoncarterdepp.jpg)
The Worst Pies in London?
Not enough of a Sweeney Todd or musical fan to comment on the potential for the film, but damn Tim Burton is starting to look like my grandmother when she was nearing 70 and her health began to go.
Quote from: Yaddo 42 on March 11, 2007, 06:59:52 AM
Tim Burton is starting to look like my grandmother when she was nearing 70 and her health began to go.
Hilarious! :bouncegiggle:
You get a karma.