Sweeney Todd

[DanielJones]

It looks like Johnny Depp & Tim Burton are teaming up again. This time for Sweeney Todd.
http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowbizNews.asp?Code=JU173725V&headline=johnny_depp_and_tim_burton_reunite
It's going to be a while before it is released, but I'm excited to see Burton on this project. I'll bet it's going to be dark and murky like Sleepy Hollow. Sounds creepy!

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Doh!]

I hated Sleepy Hollow but this one sounds interesting.

Burton is capable of greatness (Ed Wood)... and not (Batman Returns).

 

[Mr. Rover]

Ahhh....Sweeney Todd, one of my favorite shows of all time. Should be fun with Tim Burton's style! The music in it is great- we performed it my freshman year. It's practically opera! I have no idea how i was cast as I am probably tone-deaf and can't hit more than 3 notes....
I can't see Depp in the lead unless he gains 40 lbs.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

This does seem good. I'm not a huge Depp fan, he tends to over act when given the role of a psycho. Liked him in Benny and Joon hated him as Willy Wonke. Just my opinion, but I'll probably check this film out.

 

[Feraud]

I have to say I am looking forward to this. Burton has an odd sense of reality that I enjoy seeing put to film. His collaborations with Johnny Depp are always fun to watch. Whether working together or apart both have a dedication to their job that shows in their work. I appreciate that.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I don't know that Burton is really the person to direct this. Sure, it will have loads of *style*, but will it serve the music and heavy drama well? I'd be curious to hear what Sondheim thinks about this decision...

I have to say, I have mixed feelings about Burton in general. There's no question that he's a tremendous visual stylist, but his handling of actors is uneven, and his interest in telling a *coherent* story is often questionable. While I have really liked some of his films (especially "Big Fish", where I felt that he finally gave some attention to the performances and human drama along with the mood and spectacle), most of them have disappointed and/or downright annoyed me.

Anyway, I predict either an artistic or box-office flop - or both. Sweeney Todd is a bit of a tough sell even to many serious musical fans. And young audiences lured in by the whole Captain Jack Sparrow schtick will likely hate it!

 

[Girl Friday]

I hated Sleepy Hollow but this one sounds interesting.

Burton is capable of greatness (Ed Wood)... and not (Batman Returns).

I love Sleepy Hollow! But I am also a great fan of anything that even remotely reminds me of Halloween, the holiday... well the movie too, that was good.

But, yes I do agree, however somethings are just more visually interesting than anything else... eye candy.

 

[feltfan]

See it on Broadway

I was thrilled with the recent Broadway revival.
I can't see how Burton or Depp could improve on
that (and I assume that staging was his inspiration).

I suggest catching it on Broadway before it closes
(with Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone) before it
becomes "Burton-ized". He'll probably substitute
Elfman music for the original...

 

[Mr. Rover]

Ah! I wanted to see the revival! Reviews of ourperformance in high school was being compared to the "Circle in the Square" production a few years back. We almost weren't allowed to perform because our school on Long Island was only 13 miles away from NYC and the laws say that you can't have two companies performing the same show within 15 miles of eachother. Luckily they let us perform it so long as we didn't advertise in NYC newspapers (which never even occurred to us).
The revival sounded so cool- I was read the review in the New York Times when it opened. Actors singing AND playing their own instruments! Ingenious!

 

[nick1909]

It should be interesting to see Johnny Depp as Todd. I am a fan of the musical, and have also seen the 1936 film starring Tod Slaughter (perfect name for the actor, right?)
Now I am off to have some meat pies...

 

[GOK]

I've not seen the musical but have seen the 1936 film, which was ok. There was a made-for-TV version shown over here earlier this year, starring Ray Winstone. It was overly romanticised but that didn't matter because it was very well done. Winstone was charismatic, sinister and pathetic all at the same time. I suspect that Burton/Depp could easily do the story justice.

Have you seen The Libertine? Probably Depp's finest moment IMO. He is utterly horrible in that - I think he could pull off Todd rather well.

 

[DanielJones]

Well it appears that the Tim Burton Collective site has at least the poster and some of the cast.
http://www.timburtoncollective.com/sweeney.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/

Sweeney Toddy looks to have a December release date. They had a small article & one photo in the fall preview issue of Entertainment Weekly. It has at least three of the acting talent from the Harry Potter films as well.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Doh!]

I do like that poster and will no doubt be seeing this in theaters. I caught a version with Angela Landsbury on TV years ago, and it was quite good.

 

[imoldfashioned]

I find it darkly humorous that this is being released at Christmas! The cast looks great, I'm looking forward to this one.

I've been a huge Burton fan ever since Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Sure, he can be uneven at times but I'll forgive alot for such style and originality.

 

[DanielJones]

They did toss around the idea of a Valentine's Day release but thought it a tad too weird. Go Figure.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Trailer is up

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809834155/trailer

 

[sweetfrancaise]

I'm jittery with excitement over this one--the perfect Christmas movie!

By the way, Burton didn't use Elfman on this project, but the original Sondheim music, I believe, with adaptations by Christopher Bond.

Whee!

 

[Doh!]

This looks very Tim Burton-y, which can be a good thing.

Other times, it's the Planet of the Apes remake.

 

[Lady Day]

This musical is playing at the ACT theatre down the street from me. Go figure
Could it be a sign.....

LD

 

[Girl Friday]

Very interesting...

He reminds me of a young Dave Vanian.