Depp to star in Burton's 'Sweeney Todd'

[deadparrot]

LOS ANGELES - Johnny Depp is going from woozy buccaneer to murderous barber.

Depp is reuniting with director Tim Burton ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") to play the title role in a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sweeney Todd," about a 19th-century barber seeking bloody revenge over his wrongful imprisonment.

The star of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," this year's biggest hit with a domestic gross of $400 million, is expected to do his own singing, said Marvin Levy, spokesman for DreamWorks, which is co-producing "Sweeney Todd" with Warner Bros.

"Sweeney Todd" marks the sixth collaboration between Depp and Burton, who scored a blockbuster in summer 2005 with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," in which the actor played the reclusive candyman Willy Wonka.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_en_mo/people_depp

[jobycom]

1. Just think: Both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks were offered Edward Scissorhands

before Depp, and both turned it down because they didn't like the ending.

Not that any of them have suffered for jobs, money, or critical acclaim (though Cruise has the unique ability to get acclaim and condemnation on the same roles). Maybe it just means that Burton had an eye for talent, or at least money-making ability.

[Sequoia]

12. The other's would not have been good enough.

They don't have thouse soulful eyes and full mouth like dream boat Johnny Depp. I'd sure like to see him and Clooney in a movie together. I'd have a heart attack from swooning. I never watched ER when it was originally on but now my husband tapes the two hour back to backs on TNT and can really see what the fuss was all about. He was very good in "Oh Brother....". But Johhny, we're talking about Johnny!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. W00t! One of my favorite musicals with my favorite actor.

I'm straight for Johnny.

[SteppingRazor]

9. If I were gay for anybody...

that'd probably be the dude.

He's on my girlfriend's "You May Cheat on Me With..." list. I believe at No. 1 with a bullet.

[Orrex]

3. I watched Batman Returns the night before last

Absolutely terrible from start to finish, with the possible exception of certain aspects of Michelle Pfeiffer's performance.

The fact that Burton has a career is astonishing. His best film to date has been mediocre, embellished only by the performances of some truly gifted actors.

:rant:

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. "Hey That's Good!" n/t

[supernova]

5. I saw the original BW musical in '79

One of my best nights of live theatre ever. :D

This is the sort of role that Johnny really loves so I hope he has fun. They must have resolved whatever issues they had. As late as the beginning of this week, there was a rumor that Sondheim wanted Johnny to audition because Sohndheim wasn't too sure about his singing voice.

[Avalux]

6. Depp can play any role.

And a musical isn't a stretch, remember Cry Baby? He didn't do his own singing though - will be cool to hear him sing.

[supernova]

7. You mean Cry Baby

;-) And you're right. That was a hell of a lip-synching job.

[Avalux]

8. Yikes! You're right - on my way to edit.

:hi:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. Singing Sondheim isn't just any "musical"...

his is some of the hardest Broadway music to sing. I have seen many good singers struggle with his work.

[Dukkha]

10. pass!

considering how bad his Willy Wonka remake was I have little faith this will be any good. Burton is very hit & miss these days. some are great like Corpse Bride and Big Fish, then they are big stinkers like Planet of the Apes and Willy Wonka. See the pattern? He should avoid remakes and adaptations all together.

[dolo amber]

11. Johnny Depp in a Tim Burton movie

Will wonders never cease... :crazy:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. I think they're gonna have to...

change the key for Johnny to play Sweeney -- poor Len Cariou blew out his voice trying to sing that role on Broadway. Sondheim is not easy singing -- I hope Depp has the chops for it. I wonder who they will cast as Mrs. Lovitt??

Thankfully, Madonna has retired froma cting. :P

[supernova]

14. That is a mercy for which we should all feel

relieved. :P

Johnny's a generous actor, letting others shine around him, but I can't see Johnny or Tim putting up with Madonna's antics for five minutes.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. I thank the gods daily...

since hearing that news! :D

[terrya]

17. Of all the film directors to tackle one of Sondheim's best works...

Tim Burton would be my first choice.

I'm really looking forward to this one.

[joneschick]

18. God, that's good! n/t

[Calliope]

19. The Broadway revival with Patti LuPone

and Michael Cerveris closes September 3. See it if you can.