Originally Posted By TheRedhead Playbill had more casting news for Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd movie. Here's the beef: "Burton returns to his familiar casting pool with Depp (the duo have previously teamed on "Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood," "Sleepy Hollow," "Corpse Bride" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and Carter (seen in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes" and in voice on "Corpse Bride"). Depp takes on the title role with Carter as piemaker Mrs. Lovett. The film will also feature Alan Rickman (Private Lives, the "Harry Potter" films) as Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall ("Harry Potter") as Beadle Bamford, Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat," "Talladega Nights") as Signor Adolfo Pirelli and Christopher Lee ("The Lord of the Rings") in the role of "the gentleman ghost." Rounding out the cast are Laura Michelle Kelly (Fiddler on the Roof) as the Beggar Woman, Jamie Campbell Bowen as Anthony, Jayne Wisener as Johanna and newcomer Ed Sanders as Toby. "All the stars will do their own singing from Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics," according to the announcement." Alan Rickman is a PERFECT choice. Timothy Spall is great and Sacha Baron Cohen is both bizarre and brilliant casting. Other cool stuff: "The production team includes director of photography Dariusz Wolski ("Pirates of the Caribbean"), production designer Dante Ferrati ("The Aviator"), costume designer Colleen Atwood ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "Chicago"), hair and make-up designer Peter Owen ("The Lord of the Rings") and editor Chris Lebenzon." <a href="http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106058.html" target="_blank">http://www.playbill.com/news/a rticle/106058.html</a>
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I've seen two wildly different but brilliant Broadway adaptations of this (the original with Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury, and last year's spare staging with Patti LuPone), and I love this show. It's almost hard for me to picture Depp doing this, but I really like Depp and willing to hope he nails it. He could never have the physical menace of Cariou, but he could certainly invent his own interpretation.
Originally Posted By jasmine7 I'm so looking forward to this. I think Johnny will be a wonderful Sweeney, and I'm so excited about Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall as Turpin and the Beadle.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA The original production with Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury is nothing short of spectacular. But I have faith in Johnny Depp. And Tim Burton to some degree.
Originally Posted By califtink Please forgive my ignorance, but I don't know who "Carter" is..? On a side note - I was so delighted to see Angela Lansbury yesterday on The View. I adore her - and I guess the possibility remains that she will make another Murder, She Wrote movie one day. I would love that. I had just been thinking about her on Sunday when I was looking through some of my books, and it was such a nice surprise to see her the next day!
Originally Posted By FiveBearRugs I'm willing to bet McDonald's or Burger King will have the Sweeney Todd "meat" pies as a promotional tie-in...
Originally Posted By startoursguide okay..i am quite the sweeney fan..and i do not know the character "gentleman ghost"..any help?
Originally Posted By Spooky Ghost From what I gathered the "gentleman ghost" is going to handle all the ballads.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA handle all the ballads? I don't understand... 'Gentleman Ghost' will sing 'The Ballad of Sweeney Todd' and the various reprises?
Originally Posted By TheRedhead I was baffled at first by what that even meant, but now I get it and I like it. It makes sense to have a chorus constantly commenting on the action in a stage musical. But that might be weird in a film. I love the idea of a creepy Christopher Lee emerging and singing those great songs.
Originally Posted By startoursguide thanks,that makes sense. gentleman ghost will be the chorus. christopher lee..hmm ...sounds promising. actually the whole thing sounds promising...but i can't help but be worried. i love this show...and i would hate to have it ruined.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo >>I'm willing to bet McDonald's or Burger King will have the Sweeney Todd "meat" pies as a promotional tie-in...>> LOL!! >>but i can't help but be worried. i love this show...and i would hate to have it ruined.>> I agree. I've grown less fond of Burton recently but I'll go see this. Can Helena Bonham Carter sing? It's a pretty tough part vocally I think.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove threeundertwo.......i so agree about the shout out about the meat pie tie-ins! funniest thing I've read for a long time! I think Johnny can do anything. Love the music; love the show, so BRING IT !
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA >Can Helena Bonham Carter sing?< <Well, Johnny Depp can't, so ...> How do you know Johnny Depp can't sing?
