ROTTEN TOMATOES: Burton & Depp Together for the 6th Time: Sweeney Todd

Burton & Depp Together for the 6th Time: Sweeney Todd

by Scott Weinberg | August 17, 2006

When Tim Burton and Johnny Depp get together, pretty wild movies tend to happen. Frankly I think all five of their previous collaborations have been darn fine films, and here's some good news: That "Sweeney Todd" adaptation they've been planning is finally locked down and ready for production...

"DreamWorks Studios announced today that Johnny Depp has been set to star and Tim Burton to direct "Sweeney Todd," the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical thriller.

The co-production with Warner Bros. will star Johnny Depp as the titular Demon Barber of Fleet Street ... "Sweeney Todd" marks the 6th collaboration between the actor and director. The previous Burton-Depp films have been "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride," "Ed Wood," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Sleepy Hollow."

Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will partner with Richard Zanuck and John Logan to produce the screenplay adaptation which was written by Logan. Production is planned to begin early next year for a late 2007 release. Paramount will distribute for DreamWorks domestically and Warner Bros. internationally.

The Broadway production of "Sweeney Todd," with Sondheim's music and lyrics and a book by Hugh Wheeler based on the play by Christopher Bond, opened in 1979 and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its mix of the comic, the dramatic and the macabre held together by Sondheim's movie-like score has had hundreds of productions throughout the world. A highly acclaimed revival is now playing in New York.

The story of "Sweeney Todd" is of a wrongfully imprisoned barber in Victorian England who sets out to seek revenge on the judge who imprisoned him. The plot is foreshadowed in the first lines of the opening number: "Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd./His skin was pale and his eye was odd./He shaved the faces of gentlemen/Who never thereafter were heard of again."

Sondheim is known in the theater for the lyrics to "West Side Story" and "Gypsy," the music and lyrics for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Company," "Follies," "A Little Night Music" and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Sunday in the Park With George," among others, as well as the film scores of Stavisky and Reds (the latter co-written with Dave Grusin) and the Academy Award®-winning Best Original Song "Sooner or Later" from the Warren Beatty movie "Dick Tracy."

Tim Burton is also developing the Paramount production of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

Producer/Writer John Logan's most recent screenplays were "The Aviator" and "The Last Samurai," and he was nominated for an Oscar for his work on DreamWorks' "Gladiator."

(DreamWorks press release acquired via ComingSoon.net)

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(1-16 of 16 posts) | Reply

Capote writes:
on Aug 17 2006 04:27 AM

I love Hollywood
Theres always great films to go with the crap.

(Reply to this)

frogleg writes:
on Aug 17 2006 05:57 AM

Has anyone heard if the movie adaptation is to be a musical as well? If so, I wonder if Depp's going to do his own singing?

(Reply to this)

Zen Bullet writes:
on Aug 17 2006 06:44 AM

It's a musical.

But I heard elsewhere that Depp wouldn't be confirmed for the role unless Sondheim approved his vocal ability from a voice test . . . regardless of what Tim Burton wants. But I'm surprised that the tryout and Sondheim's approval could have been resolved this quickly. Sondheim seemed reserved about the idea.

But regardless, its a promising project, and Depp would be a nice addition!

(Reply to this)

pradeep55 writes:
on Aug 17 2006 06:58 AM

Whatever they do it always comes out great........my favourite of all Edward Scissorhands

(Reply to this)

Prosper761 writes:
on Aug 17 2006 07:14 AM

While I think Depp is a brilliant actor and Burton is a usually brilliant director ("Planet of the Apes" not withstanding), this is the worst casting decision ever. I can't think of an actor more wrong for the role (except maybe Paul Ruebens or Clint Howard). Please Mr. Sondheim, stop this from happening...

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Aug 17 2006 08:55 AM

My favorite Tim Burton and Johnny Depp film was Ed Wood. Depp should have won an Oscar for his performance.

(Reply to this)

RenaissanceBen writes:
on Aug 17 2006 10:41 AM

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060817/D8JHU3BG0.html

The AP article says Depp is "expected to do his own singing."

I mean, I'm sure he can sing. According to IMDB, he did one of the songs in "Cry-Baby" (though not the majority of them).

(Reply to this)

new12play writes:
on Aug 17 2006 10:58 AM

This film was already masterfully portrayed in the timeless classic, Jersey Girl. I don't believe anyone can step into the role made famous by the incomparable Ben Affleck.

(Reply to this)

pradeep55 writes:
on Aug 17 2006 11:28 AM

Well you know what they say........6th time is the charm, just ask Elizabeth Taylor

(Reply to this)

Hideaway writes:
on Aug 17 2006 11:35 AM

Why is everyone questioning Johnny's singing ability? He's a good singer! Hasn't anyone seen Jonh Waters' "Cry-Baby?" He's the best singer in the whole movie! I can't wait to hear him sing again! Just wish they'd hired a better screenwriter.

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nardoguz writes:
on Aug 17 2006 01:24 PM

[b]yes.[/b]
yes. yes. yes. - (my best meg ryan impression)
this news makes me happy. now if only spieldberg would cast tony jaa in indy 4, then it would be the best day of movie news.

(Reply to this)

mrdanny writes:
on Aug 17 2006 02:16 PM

I wonder if Danny Elfman is gonna have a part in any of the movies score? Its not a Burton movie without an Elfman score!!!

(Reply to this)

WileyMan writes:
on Aug 17 2006 05:37 PM

I'm sure Johnny Depp can sing, but I think Sondheim's reservations have to do with his voice type. When I saw the musical on stage Sweeny Todd was this towering figure with a booming voice. While Johnny Depp can be creepy, he’s not really threatening and his voice isn’t really that booming. Tim Burton obviously wants to take the character in a different direction or use a lot of make-up and special effects. The question is can Depp/Burton convince Sondheim that their way will work. Personally I am doubtful because it’s really hard for me to imagine Johnny Depp as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street no matter how great of an actor Johnny Depp is. I would love for him to prove me wrong though.

(Reply to this)

ShowTunes writes:
on Aug 17 2006 10:35 PM

This is going to suck BIG TIME. Depp is absolutely the wrong type for Sweeney. Among other things, he's way too fragile-looking--he's in no way the force of nature that Sweeney has to be. And I can guarantee that he won't be up to the demands of the singing. This is a part either for a booming and sturdy Broadway voice or an opera singer who can act. It is NOT a part for a guy who has recorded one or two pop songs.

And I strongly doubt that Sondheim would let Danny Elfman within 100 miles of this project. This is Sondheim's masterwork; why on earth would he agree to let anyone adulterate it, much less Elfman, who refused to let Sondheim's (Academy Award-winning) songs appear on the Dick Tracy album?

This formula is such a disaster in the making that I wouldn't be surprised if it either gets scrapped or it becomes a legendary problem film.

(Reply to this)

foolofatook writes:
on Aug 17 2006 11:22 PM

I'm a happy boy getting his Christmas present early this year.

(Reply to this)

Rock_The_Luau writes:
on Aug 19 2006 10:43 PM

In reply to this comment (#842501)
Took the words right out of my freakin' mouth. Or, rather, keyboard? You get the idea, it was an incredibly true statement.

(Reply to this)

Celeb:	Tim Burton
	Hugh Wheeler
	Walter F. Parkes
	Laurie MacDonald
	Warren Beatty
	Johnny Depp
	Richard D. Zanuck
	Stephen Sondheim
	John Logan
	Dave Grusin
Movie:	Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
	West Side Story
	Gladiator
	Ed Wood
	Gypsy
	Edward Scissorhands
	A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
	Sleepy Hollow
	The Last Samurai
	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
	The Aviator
	Dick Tracy

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