"I asked Sondheim, by the way, if he’d seen Tim Burton’s movie version of “Sweeney Todd.” He has, and he says he likes it.
“It’s not the Broadway show,” he warned me. “It’s only an hour and 45 minutes. A lot of the score has been cut. They’ve made it its own thing. You have to go in knowing that. But what they’ve done is great.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298230,00.html
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Captions for Sweeney Todd book finished
http://marksalisbury.blogspot.com/2007/09/apologies.html
Friday, 14 September 2007
Apologies... For the lack of posts this week. It's been a busy, busy one. But at least I've finally finished the captions for the Sweeney book. It looks very nice. The on set photography, courtesy of the super talented Peter Mountain, is stunning. Can't wait to see it finished.
Friday, 14 September 2007
Apologies... For the lack of posts this week. It's been a busy, busy one. But at least I've finally finished the captions for the Sweeney book. It looks very nice. The on set photography, courtesy of the super talented Peter Mountain, is stunning. Can't wait to see it finished.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Script Review: Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd!
Script Review: Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd!
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 13 September 2007
The IESB has a look at the script of one of the most anticipated movies of this year.
After a Short absence Michael Vaal is back with a unique view to Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.
SWEENEY TODD
a script review best served piping hot by Michael Vaal
“There was a barber and his wife,
And she was beautiful.
A foolish barber and his wife.
She was his reason and his life,
And she was beautiful,
And she was virtuous,
And he was... naïve.”
I’ve recently had a chance to read the latest draft of the screenplay for SWEENEY TODD. While it is based on a famous musical, it is one that very few people have seen. This is primarily due to the dark subject matter, as the plot revolves around a past rape, false imprisonment, revenge, and murder which then transitions into cannibalism, believe it or not (see below). And yet, unlike the vast majority of so-called “horror” films in theaters these days, the story of Sweeney Todd is not about puerile titillation or deviant gratification. For SWEENEY TODD is not only widely regarded as the legendary Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece (yes, this “horror movie” is a musical, and yes, I think it’s better than WEST SIDE STORY in every way), it is also one of the greatest tragedies ever written.Almost 30 Years of Sweeney Todd Taking on something like this is always a tough call.
I am a true fan of the original Broadway cast of Sweeney Todd (Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou), which I was lucky enough to see on Broadway as a young man. It had a profound effect on me as a young man and the soundtrack is among the very few pieces that I know and can sing by heart – for I’ve listened to it no less that once a week for almost 30 years now.
And with all the practice I have had, I can sing it well dammit. So to say this is/was a dream project of mine would be a gross understatement. So, I’m either going to be this film’s most vocal fan or its vilest critic. Enjoy.
The Basics
For now, I’ll touch on a few basics. SWEENEY TODD is a musical, but don’t let that throw you. It’s not a poncey Andrew Lloyd Webber pseudo-musical, where the plot points occur in between the songs, which are just gussied up show tunes prepared for the flavor of the moment.
SWEENEY TODD is Sondheim at his best, which means the lyrics ARE the dialogue and they tell the story throughout the performance. I think you’ll find SWEENEY TODD more along the lines of musicals like THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, Disney’s ALADDIN, or even MOULIN ROUGE in the way in which the music and lyrics ARE the story and dialogue.
And yet…it’s all about bloody vengeance. Wikipedia has a decent one paragraph summary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd_%28musical%29) of the setup, which reads as follows:
“The story centers on the character of Sweeney Todd, formerly known as Benjamin Barker, who returns from the penal colonies in Australia, where he has spent fifteen years on false charges. When he learns from Mrs. Lovett, whose meat pies are the worst in London, that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by Judge Turpin, and his daughter is the ward of Judge Turpin, who imprisoned him, he vows revenge. The two become conspirators in a dark plot that results in mass murder, booming business for Lovett's shop, and ultimately tragedy.”
This isn’t WEST SIDE STORY or THE SOUND OF MUSIC, folks.
There is no unseen hand here, no overarching destiny. Ultimately Sweeney’s actions determine his own fate as do the actions of each of the main characters. And, rest assured, everyone gets their own measure of justice by the end, one way or another.
It’s D-A-R-K…dark.
The Shortest Script “Review” I’ve Ever Done
The script, for all intents and purposes, is just an edited down version of the original playbook by Hugh Wheeler based on a play by Christopher Bond, which in turn was inspired by the legend of Sweeney Todd and the pulp horror fictions of the late 19th century.
Screenwriter John Logan kept the best songs and the critical action and it seems that they haven’t had to cut much to make it work – no doubt thanks to the fact that the material was from a play and was nearly perfectly staged. It’s still set in London and all the characters are here and represented faithfully, so there isn’t much to dwell on regarding the script except to say, “thank god it wasn’t turned into a roaring 20’s gay Chicago gangster musical.” You never know with Hollywood these days… So, What Might Go Wrong?
While I’m a huge fan of Tim Burton, the director, and of Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) and Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett), there are a few lingering questions.
Can Tim Burton direct real drama? We’ve seen him deftly handle comedic roles and all manner of oddness very well over the years. But this isn’t THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (which he co-directed with an animation legend) or EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (the closest anyone has come to crying for a Burton directed character at the end). SWEENEY TODD is serious work.
Can he make us FEEL the tragedy and pathos of Sweeney?
If that doesn’t come through, the ending of the movie won’t move people the way the stage musical has for almost three decades.
Can Johnny Depp sing, let alone deep enough that the walls of theater resonate in a way you’ve never heard before? Because that’s what Sweeney calls for.
To be blunt, there are very few professional singers who can pull off the role of Sweeney vocally, let alone act to a level that transforms the role from the big theater stage to the small theater screen. This is clearly his toughest and most challenging role to date. And I do not envy him here at all.
Helena Bonham Carter is less of a worry due to the nature and range of the songs Mrs. Lovett sings. Whether she can take the crown away from Angela Lansbury isn’t as important as whether she can get the audience laughing at the right moments. Mrs. Lovett is devious and clueless, naïvely romantic and heartless as it suits her.
Fortunately, this is material that the director is well versed in.
I’m sure the sets, production values, etc. etc. will be top drawer. This is Dreamworks and Warner Brothers after all. I guess my only concern here is that Burton has a habit of making EVERYTHING he does look the same as those cartoony sketches he originally drew for THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS when he was an animator at Disney.
I’d like to see SWEENEY TODD pick up from where Burton went with the live action bookends of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY or a more realistic, grittier version of his already rather gritty work on SLEEPY HOLLOW.
To be honest, if I see another BEETLEJUICE “Burton tree” in one of his movies, I think I’m gonna puke.
So everything rests on the director and the leads. They have amazing material in hand, which has remained remarkably and pleasantly true to the original masterpiece.
Soon we will know if Tim Burton and Johnny Depp can bring to this role not only the wonderful music and dark comedy they are both known for, but also the tragic pathos of one of the greatest anti-heroes in modern fiction.
Why Should You See It?
The tale of Sweeney Todd is unlike anything you have ever seen or heard of before. You will laugh your ass off and travel through the entire spectrum of human emotion. You will leave singing joyfully about cannibalism. When was the last time you left a movie singing about anything, let alone dining on your neighbor? You’ll never see justice or revenge the same way again.
In Conclusion…If the filmmakers do their job well, you will feel empathy and sympathy for the murderous, vengeful Sweeney by the end of his sad tale.
If they don’t pull it off, Sweeney will forever be known to the world as just another crazy man with a knife.
I for one am hoping these very talented people manage to move you with their movie in the same ways a handful of us have been moved by the play over the years.
Screenplay by John Logan
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Final Shooting Draft 12-21-06
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3249&Itemid=99
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 13 September 2007
The IESB has a look at the script of one of the most anticipated movies of this year.
After a Short absence Michael Vaal is back with a unique view to Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.
SWEENEY TODD
a script review best served piping hot by Michael Vaal
“There was a barber and his wife,
And she was beautiful.
A foolish barber and his wife.
She was his reason and his life,
And she was beautiful,
And she was virtuous,
And he was... naïve.”
I’ve recently had a chance to read the latest draft of the screenplay for SWEENEY TODD. While it is based on a famous musical, it is one that very few people have seen. This is primarily due to the dark subject matter, as the plot revolves around a past rape, false imprisonment, revenge, and murder which then transitions into cannibalism, believe it or not (see below). And yet, unlike the vast majority of so-called “horror” films in theaters these days, the story of Sweeney Todd is not about puerile titillation or deviant gratification. For SWEENEY TODD is not only widely regarded as the legendary Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece (yes, this “horror movie” is a musical, and yes, I think it’s better than WEST SIDE STORY in every way), it is also one of the greatest tragedies ever written.Almost 30 Years of Sweeney Todd Taking on something like this is always a tough call.
I am a true fan of the original Broadway cast of Sweeney Todd (Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou), which I was lucky enough to see on Broadway as a young man. It had a profound effect on me as a young man and the soundtrack is among the very few pieces that I know and can sing by heart – for I’ve listened to it no less that once a week for almost 30 years now.
And with all the practice I have had, I can sing it well dammit. So to say this is/was a dream project of mine would be a gross understatement. So, I’m either going to be this film’s most vocal fan or its vilest critic. Enjoy.
The Basics
For now, I’ll touch on a few basics. SWEENEY TODD is a musical, but don’t let that throw you. It’s not a poncey Andrew Lloyd Webber pseudo-musical, where the plot points occur in between the songs, which are just gussied up show tunes prepared for the flavor of the moment.
SWEENEY TODD is Sondheim at his best, which means the lyrics ARE the dialogue and they tell the story throughout the performance. I think you’ll find SWEENEY TODD more along the lines of musicals like THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, Disney’s ALADDIN, or even MOULIN ROUGE in the way in which the music and lyrics ARE the story and dialogue.
And yet…it’s all about bloody vengeance. Wikipedia has a decent one paragraph summary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd_%28musical%29) of the setup, which reads as follows:
“The story centers on the character of Sweeney Todd, formerly known as Benjamin Barker, who returns from the penal colonies in Australia, where he has spent fifteen years on false charges. When he learns from Mrs. Lovett, whose meat pies are the worst in London, that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by Judge Turpin, and his daughter is the ward of Judge Turpin, who imprisoned him, he vows revenge. The two become conspirators in a dark plot that results in mass murder, booming business for Lovett's shop, and ultimately tragedy.”
This isn’t WEST SIDE STORY or THE SOUND OF MUSIC, folks.
There is no unseen hand here, no overarching destiny. Ultimately Sweeney’s actions determine his own fate as do the actions of each of the main characters. And, rest assured, everyone gets their own measure of justice by the end, one way or another.
It’s D-A-R-K…dark.
The Shortest Script “Review” I’ve Ever Done
The script, for all intents and purposes, is just an edited down version of the original playbook by Hugh Wheeler based on a play by Christopher Bond, which in turn was inspired by the legend of Sweeney Todd and the pulp horror fictions of the late 19th century.
Screenwriter John Logan kept the best songs and the critical action and it seems that they haven’t had to cut much to make it work – no doubt thanks to the fact that the material was from a play and was nearly perfectly staged. It’s still set in London and all the characters are here and represented faithfully, so there isn’t much to dwell on regarding the script except to say, “thank god it wasn’t turned into a roaring 20’s gay Chicago gangster musical.” You never know with Hollywood these days… So, What Might Go Wrong?
While I’m a huge fan of Tim Burton, the director, and of Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) and Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett), there are a few lingering questions.
Can Tim Burton direct real drama? We’ve seen him deftly handle comedic roles and all manner of oddness very well over the years. But this isn’t THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (which he co-directed with an animation legend) or EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (the closest anyone has come to crying for a Burton directed character at the end). SWEENEY TODD is serious work.
Can he make us FEEL the tragedy and pathos of Sweeney?
If that doesn’t come through, the ending of the movie won’t move people the way the stage musical has for almost three decades.
Can Johnny Depp sing, let alone deep enough that the walls of theater resonate in a way you’ve never heard before? Because that’s what Sweeney calls for.
To be blunt, there are very few professional singers who can pull off the role of Sweeney vocally, let alone act to a level that transforms the role from the big theater stage to the small theater screen. This is clearly his toughest and most challenging role to date. And I do not envy him here at all.
Helena Bonham Carter is less of a worry due to the nature and range of the songs Mrs. Lovett sings. Whether she can take the crown away from Angela Lansbury isn’t as important as whether she can get the audience laughing at the right moments. Mrs. Lovett is devious and clueless, naïvely romantic and heartless as it suits her.
Fortunately, this is material that the director is well versed in.
I’m sure the sets, production values, etc. etc. will be top drawer. This is Dreamworks and Warner Brothers after all. I guess my only concern here is that Burton has a habit of making EVERYTHING he does look the same as those cartoony sketches he originally drew for THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS when he was an animator at Disney.
I’d like to see SWEENEY TODD pick up from where Burton went with the live action bookends of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY or a more realistic, grittier version of his already rather gritty work on SLEEPY HOLLOW.
To be honest, if I see another BEETLEJUICE “Burton tree” in one of his movies, I think I’m gonna puke.
So everything rests on the director and the leads. They have amazing material in hand, which has remained remarkably and pleasantly true to the original masterpiece.
Soon we will know if Tim Burton and Johnny Depp can bring to this role not only the wonderful music and dark comedy they are both known for, but also the tragic pathos of one of the greatest anti-heroes in modern fiction.
Why Should You See It?
The tale of Sweeney Todd is unlike anything you have ever seen or heard of before. You will laugh your ass off and travel through the entire spectrum of human emotion. You will leave singing joyfully about cannibalism. When was the last time you left a movie singing about anything, let alone dining on your neighbor? You’ll never see justice or revenge the same way again.
In Conclusion…If the filmmakers do their job well, you will feel empathy and sympathy for the murderous, vengeful Sweeney by the end of his sad tale.
If they don’t pull it off, Sweeney will forever be known to the world as just another crazy man with a knife.
I for one am hoping these very talented people manage to move you with their movie in the same ways a handful of us have been moved by the play over the years.
Screenplay by John Logan
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Final Shooting Draft 12-21-06
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3249&Itemid=99
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Nonesuch Nabs Soundtrack for Upcoming "Sweeney Todd" Film
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110896.html
By Ernio Hernandez 10 Sep 2007 Nonesuch Records — which produced the cast recording for the recent revival of Sweeney Todd — will also release the soundtrack for the forthcoming "Sweeney Todd" film. Titan Books will publish the film's companion book. The new film, directed by Tim Burton, is slated for a Dec. 21 release. An updated credits listing reveals that Nonesuch Records will issue the film's soundtrack. A release date has not yet been announced. Also in the works is a companion book for the film to be released on Dec. 4 by Titan Books. The hardback — penned by (the only on-set) journalist Mark Salisbury — will include "interviews with Burton and the cast and crew, extracts from the shooting script, over 200 photos, plus concept drawing and production designs," as a release states. Following the reveal of a poster at San Diego's Comic-Con International and another shot of stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the place holder on the official website has been replaced with an ominous graphic of Depp (as Sweeney) at the end of a tunnel with a straight-blade in hand. A sign that flashes down into view reads, "Beware, Sweeney Todd is coming this Christmas." Fans can currently sign up for updates on the film by visiting sweeneytoddmovie.com. *The official synopsis for the film follows: "Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller 'Sweeney Todd.' Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who 'shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again.' Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli. The DreamWorks/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical is penned by John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator"). Filming has completed on the film, which receives a wide opening Dec. 21. Depp ("Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood") takes on the title role with Carter ("Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes") 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 and Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat," "Talladega Nights") as Signor Adolfo Pirelli. 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.
By Ernio Hernandez 10 Sep 2007 Nonesuch Records — which produced the cast recording for the recent revival of Sweeney Todd — will also release the soundtrack for the forthcoming "Sweeney Todd" film. Titan Books will publish the film's companion book. The new film, directed by Tim Burton, is slated for a Dec. 21 release. An updated credits listing reveals that Nonesuch Records will issue the film's soundtrack. A release date has not yet been announced. Also in the works is a companion book for the film to be released on Dec. 4 by Titan Books. The hardback — penned by (the only on-set) journalist Mark Salisbury — will include "interviews with Burton and the cast and crew, extracts from the shooting script, over 200 photos, plus concept drawing and production designs," as a release states. Following the reveal of a poster at San Diego's Comic-Con International and another shot of stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the place holder on the official website has been replaced with an ominous graphic of Depp (as Sweeney) at the end of a tunnel with a straight-blade in hand. A sign that flashes down into view reads, "Beware, Sweeney Todd is coming this Christmas." Fans can currently sign up for updates on the film by visiting sweeneytoddmovie.com. *The official synopsis for the film follows: "Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller 'Sweeney Todd.' Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who 'shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again.' Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli. The DreamWorks/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical is penned by John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator"). Filming has completed on the film, which receives a wide opening Dec. 21. Depp ("Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood") takes on the title role with Carter ("Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes") 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 and Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat," "Talladega Nights") as Signor Adolfo Pirelli. 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.
Tim's perfect barbershop duet
http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2165363,00.html
I was given an exclusive peak at the first footage from Tim Burton's upcoming film version of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, which will be released next year. Johnny Depp was presenting a clearly delighted Burton with Venice's career Golden Lion, incredibly the director's first ever award from a major film festival. Depp said: 'Tim is my favourite director. I feel very lucky to have been included in his life and in his world of cinema. He's a true original and a true auteur, a rare breed in today's cinema.' The exclusive clip was then shown. It featured Depp's Todd duetting with Helena Bonham Carter's panda-eyed Mrs Lovett. Both were doing their own singing, and most impressively, as they powered through a dark ode to a cut-throat razor. In the brief dialogue, it seemed that Depp might just have finally got a decent cockney accent, and he held the gleaming object up like Edward reunited with his Scissorhands.
At the end, the camera flew out of the window to reveal Mrs Lovett's pie shop and an intricate, beautiful shot over the sky line of Dickensian London. This awesome set has been designed, at Pinewood, by the legendary Cinecitta team of Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo.
I was given an exclusive peak at the first footage from Tim Burton's upcoming film version of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, which will be released next year. Johnny Depp was presenting a clearly delighted Burton with Venice's career Golden Lion, incredibly the director's first ever award from a major film festival. Depp said: 'Tim is my favourite director. I feel very lucky to have been included in his life and in his world of cinema. He's a true original and a true auteur, a rare breed in today's cinema.' The exclusive clip was then shown. It featured Depp's Todd duetting with Helena Bonham Carter's panda-eyed Mrs Lovett. Both were doing their own singing, and most impressively, as they powered through a dark ode to a cut-throat razor. In the brief dialogue, it seemed that Depp might just have finally got a decent cockney accent, and he held the gleaming object up like Edward reunited with his Scissorhands.
At the end, the camera flew out of the window to reveal Mrs Lovett's pie shop and an intricate, beautiful shot over the sky line of Dickensian London. This awesome set has been designed, at Pinewood, by the legendary Cinecitta team of Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Tim Burton basks in Venice glow
Tim Burton basks in Venice glow
Honored with lifetime achievement prize
By NICK VIVARELLI
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=Cannes2007&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117971363&cs=1
Tim Burton held court Thursday at the Venice Film Festival, where he got a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement and unspooled an eight-minute sneak peek of his "Sweeney Todd" adaptation.
The clips, in sharp desaturated color, consisted largely of a key scene in the Stephen Sondheim musical in which Todd, played by Johnny Depp, is handed a razor case by Mrs. Lovett, played by Helena Bonham Carter.
Singing "My Friends" Depp proved he can carry a tune, dueting delightfully with Bonham Carter, herself debuting as a chantoosie.
A white streak in his hair, a mad twinkle in his eye, Depp -- in his sixth Burton pic -- seemed in fine form in the quick sneak, which, while entertainingly eerie, displayed no violence. Pic is reportedly headed for an "R" rating.
"I am just trying to make an old-fashioned horror movie with music in it," Burton said at the presser.
He added that pics with "people like Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre" are among vintage scary works he drew on for inspiration.
"It's quite uncharted territory. I don't think there are that many horror movie musicals out there these days," Burton noted. "It will be interesting to see what happens with it."
Paramount and DreamWorks have a lot riding on "Todd," which they will rollout Stateside in December, just as Warner Bros. will be outing the pic worldwide.
As for his Lido prize -- handed to him by Depp -- Burton said it was "the best honor I've ever received."
Asked about how the Venice Golden Lion compares to an Oscar -- a nod that has eluded Burton so far -- he joked: "It's actually a lot better-looking than a bald naked man. It's very special to me."
Said Depp as he handed Burton the Lion: "Tim is a rare breed in today's cinema: he is a true original, a true artist, a true auteur. He's my favorite director and friend. So ... let's give him the thing, man."
Concluding the gala evening was Disney's 3-D version of "The Night Before Christmas," which the studio is planning to re-release Stateside in October
Saturday, September 1, 2007
How the Depp - Burton Sweeney Todd story unfolded for us at JohnnyDeppReads.com
The first that we heard about Johnny and his involvement in a film version of Stephen Sondheim's version of SWEENEY TODD came when AICN.com posted this on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 10:35pm
"Looks like Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will be giving us a reeealllly close shave!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a really interesting rumor. MovieMusicals.net has posted a bit "from valid sources" saying that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will work again on the film version of the musical SWEENEY TODD, about the murderous barber. I've also confirmed this as a valid bit of talk from a source of mine as well, so while I wouldn't call it anything more than a rumor at this point, I think there's certainly something going on with this project. Sam Mendes is no longer attached to direct the musical. "
Then just a couple of days later we posted this article from MSN on JDR on 1/11/06 at 08:25 PM
"Casting News: Burton and Depp Together Again
Time was passing and in June we posted this
Although not officially announced, rumors are flying that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are teaming up again for the movie version of "Sweeney Todd." Sources close to the Hitlist confirm the story. The musical about a demon barber who slits the throats of his customers recently returned to Broadway in a critically acclaimed production. The original 1979 production won Tony Awards for Best Musical and individual awards for composer Stephen Sondheim and stars Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury (yep, that one). The biggest question is whether Johnny Depp can handle the singing chores. "Todd" verges on opera so the musical requirements are more difficult than your typical big-screen adaptation. The picture would be the sixth collaboration between Burton and Depp, but when it will actually occur is unknown. A screenplay has been completed by Oscar-winner John Logan ("Gladiator"), but Burton's next film was expected to be "Believe It or Not!" which star Jim Carrey told the Hitlist was to begin shooting by the end of this year. Needless to say, the collaboration of the two on such a dark and sinister project as "Todd" will make it a highly anticipated project. "
And in March this blurb appeared at nypost.com and was originally posted on JDR 3/10/06 at 06:17 AM.
"JOHNNY Depp checked out the hit revival of "Sweeney Todd" last weekend, prompting speculation that Edward Scissorhands would soon swap his shears for a razor and some Barbasol.
Depp is indeed interested in playing the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but on the big screen, not on Broadway.
He and director Tim Burton are fans of the Stephen Sondheim musical and have been discussing the possibility of doing a movie version. "
Excitement was growing here when JDR had a friend at the LA signing of Tim Burton's CORPSE BRIDE CD and our source reported this on 3/11/06 at 07:00 PM here on JDR:
"When I went to the Corpse Bride DVD signing, I asked Tim about Sweeney Todd. He said "I don't know" real quick. I said "Don't know it or don't know if you should say something about it?" He said "I don't know" again real quick so my take is that there is some truth to it... as if there wasn't he would not have answered and shunned it so quickly. So I think it is possible and he did not want to confirm it in any way."
Variety wrote about Brad Gray and his involvement with Sweeney Todd with this quote "Grey began March 1, 2005 as chairman of Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures which, after a long string of box-office failures, had flipped from being the town's most stable studio to the most disappointing one.
Seated behind a desk in his corner office on a recent morning, Grey appeared calm and collected, dressed down in a black sweater. He was quietly typing behind a flat screen. Before answering any questions about the studio, Grey, who produced "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for Warner Bros. when he was still a manager, had to shoot off an email to Johnny Depp about yet another potential collaboration with Tim Burton, this time for "Sweeney Todd."
On June 23, 2006, Hollywood Reporter's Anne Thompson and Sheigh Crabtree wrote in their article about Stacey Snyder (new CEO at Dream Works) that Dream Works owns the rights for Sweeney Todd when they reported that "Snider is revving her engines for 2008. The next looming start could be another musical adaptation for which DreamWorks owns all rights -- Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," which director Tim Burton and producers Richard Zanuck, Parkes and MacDonald have made a high priority. Burton is talking to old collaborator Johnny Depp about starring in what he calls "a Grand Guignol horror story," Snider said. Although Depp could decide to first film Warner Bros. Pictures' "Shantaram, Snyder added" And we heard jingle bells ringing for Sweeney when "Snider added that "maybe 'Sweeney Todd' falls in our lap for Christmas" -- for either '07 or '08. "
Rehearsal dates were reported mid August of 06 when Variety's Chris Gardner and Pamela McClintock wrote that the "film version of the hit Broadway musical was first set up at Warners well over a decade ago, with Burton attached to direct. DreamWorks picked up the project when Burton fell off, and Sam Mendes came aboard to develop the film with Logan.
DreamWorks kicked "Sweeney Todd" into high gear in June, when Burton became available after Par put his "Ripley's Believe It or Not" on hold amid concerns over budget and the creative direction.
Likewise, Depp's schedule opened up when director Peter Weir ankled Warners' "Shantaram."Musical is set to begin shooting in early February at Pinewood Studios near London. "Sweeney Todd" producers said rehearsals and pre-recordings will begin in November and December. "
The next day, Aug. 17, 2006 we read in Hollywood Reporter that DreamWorks Studios had announced the official start of production for Sweeney Todd in London at Pinewood Studios to begin on Feb. 5 2007.
In an Oct.21, 2006 article from from the Daily News that was reported on The Stephen Sondheim Society forum we learned that the cast will "go into a recording studio next month (Nov 06) and start laying down tracks. "
While Tim was still promoting the re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas, we got more from him on ST in a Timeout.com interview on Nov. 17, 2006 when he told us that " She (Helena Bonham Carter) had to go through a rigorous auditioning process, though. Stephen Sondheim had a say in it."
Just as an FYI, on Dec 17 we read that Sweeney Todd will be wearing a green homburg.
The son of director Tim Burton and actress Helena Bonham Carter will make his second cameo appearance in his father's next movie - at the tender age of three according to yahoo news on March 01, 2007.
March 21, 2007 brought us the great news that " just a couple of weeks ago, Paramount played host on its Hollywood lot to executives from a small, regional chain, Pacific Theaters, showing them scenes from two high-end movies still in production, "Drillbit Taylor" and "Sweeney Todd."
Then late March brought us the sad news that Johnny's daughter was taken ill and that he left the production for about 10 days to be with his daughter. The production continued to film around him until his return.
On March 29, Variety reports: 'Todd' to sing in time for Christmas
Burton's musical set to open Dec. 21, 2007. (Edit: We now know that in Aug, WB announced that ST would open wide on Christmas Day.)
April 10 brings us these words from composer Sondheim about Johnny and ST in this review
"Early buzz from the UK sets has Johnny Depp lining up for a trip to the Academy podium come Oscar '08. Indeed, word from Stephen Sondheim (who had some role in approving the casting, at least from a musical standpoint) has the iconic actor delivering 'the performance of a lifetime'."
Reportedly Sweeney Todd wrapped filming on May 11.
Richard Zanuck returned this week with the film having been completed and brought in for an economical (these days) $50 million directed by Tim Burton in 50 days.
On June 5, Comic-Con Reveals Preliminary Film & TV List
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20806
Comic-Con International has announced its preliminary list of films and TV shows that will be present during the 2007 Comic-Con, taking place in San Diego from July 26-29 including Sweeney Todd.
June 8 brought us the link to the official movie website http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/
San Diego's July Comic Con gave us this first official look at Sweeney in the form of this poster that was handed out there.
August 10 came and we got this word from Variety on the CC poster. http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononholly...n-the-nigh.html
Love this black-and-white-and-red poster art for Sweeney Todd, starring Johnny Depp as Stephen Sondheim's sanguine Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which was revealed at Comic-Con. Advance word on the latest Burton/Depp collaboration is good.
Also on the 20th of August we learned:
http://www.sondheim.org/php/news.php?id=2350
On September 5th, the Venice Film Festival is honouring director Tim Burton with a 24 hour Tim Burton Day. Warner Bros has said that a 10 minute promotion for the Sweeney Todd film will be shown during the event.
Finally the news we were waiting for about the new release date:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797097...egoryid=13&cs=1
'Sweeney' gets Christmas premiere
Johnny Depp musical to open Dec. 21
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter star in helmer Tim Burton's musical 'Sweeney Todd,' to be released at Christmas.
Johnny Depp will be singing in time for Christmas -- everywhere.
DreamWorks and Paramount have decided to go wide with director Tim Burton's bigscreen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical "Sweeney Todd" on Dec. 21, versus a platform release.
ST book author Mark Salisbury set aside rumors of a less bloody ST in his blog on Aug 27...bring on the "R" rating!
From Mark:http://marksalisbury.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
"And because I'm not going to be around for Tim Burton Day on the second Wednesday I won't be seeing a sneak preview of footage from Sweeney Todd which pains me but, hey, them's the breaks. Incidentally, all those reports of Burton being asked to cut back on the blood in the movie, don't believe a word of it."
And that brings us up to date, today, Sept 1, 2007
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
For the latest news on Depp and all of his projects, visit http://johnnydeppreads.com/
"Looks like Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will be giving us a reeealllly close shave!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a really interesting rumor. MovieMusicals.net has posted a bit "from valid sources" saying that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will work again on the film version of the musical SWEENEY TODD, about the murderous barber. I've also confirmed this as a valid bit of talk from a source of mine as well, so while I wouldn't call it anything more than a rumor at this point, I think there's certainly something going on with this project. Sam Mendes is no longer attached to direct the musical. "
Then just a couple of days later we posted this article from MSN on JDR on 1/11/06 at 08:25 PM
"Casting News: Burton and Depp Together Again
Time was passing and in June we posted this
Although not officially announced, rumors are flying that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are teaming up again for the movie version of "Sweeney Todd." Sources close to the Hitlist confirm the story. The musical about a demon barber who slits the throats of his customers recently returned to Broadway in a critically acclaimed production. The original 1979 production won Tony Awards for Best Musical and individual awards for composer Stephen Sondheim and stars Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury (yep, that one). The biggest question is whether Johnny Depp can handle the singing chores. "Todd" verges on opera so the musical requirements are more difficult than your typical big-screen adaptation. The picture would be the sixth collaboration between Burton and Depp, but when it will actually occur is unknown. A screenplay has been completed by Oscar-winner John Logan ("Gladiator"), but Burton's next film was expected to be "Believe It or Not!" which star Jim Carrey told the Hitlist was to begin shooting by the end of this year. Needless to say, the collaboration of the two on such a dark and sinister project as "Todd" will make it a highly anticipated project. "
And in March this blurb appeared at nypost.com and was originally posted on JDR 3/10/06 at 06:17 AM.
"JOHNNY Depp checked out the hit revival of "Sweeney Todd" last weekend, prompting speculation that Edward Scissorhands would soon swap his shears for a razor and some Barbasol.
Depp is indeed interested in playing the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but on the big screen, not on Broadway.
He and director Tim Burton are fans of the Stephen Sondheim musical and have been discussing the possibility of doing a movie version. "
Excitement was growing here when JDR had a friend at the LA signing of Tim Burton's CORPSE BRIDE CD and our source reported this on 3/11/06 at 07:00 PM here on JDR:
"When I went to the Corpse Bride DVD signing, I asked Tim about Sweeney Todd. He said "I don't know" real quick. I said "Don't know it or don't know if you should say something about it?" He said "I don't know" again real quick so my take is that there is some truth to it... as if there wasn't he would not have answered and shunned it so quickly. So I think it is possible and he did not want to confirm it in any way."
Variety wrote about Brad Gray and his involvement with Sweeney Todd with this quote "Grey began March 1, 2005 as chairman of Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures which, after a long string of box-office failures, had flipped from being the town's most stable studio to the most disappointing one.
Seated behind a desk in his corner office on a recent morning, Grey appeared calm and collected, dressed down in a black sweater. He was quietly typing behind a flat screen. Before answering any questions about the studio, Grey, who produced "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for Warner Bros. when he was still a manager, had to shoot off an email to Johnny Depp about yet another potential collaboration with Tim Burton, this time for "Sweeney Todd."
On June 23, 2006, Hollywood Reporter's Anne Thompson and Sheigh Crabtree wrote in their article about Stacey Snyder (new CEO at Dream Works) that Dream Works owns the rights for Sweeney Todd when they reported that "Snider is revving her engines for 2008. The next looming start could be another musical adaptation for which DreamWorks owns all rights -- Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," which director Tim Burton and producers Richard Zanuck, Parkes and MacDonald have made a high priority. Burton is talking to old collaborator Johnny Depp about starring in what he calls "a Grand Guignol horror story," Snider said. Although Depp could decide to first film Warner Bros. Pictures' "Shantaram, Snyder added" And we heard jingle bells ringing for Sweeney when "Snider added that "maybe 'Sweeney Todd' falls in our lap for Christmas" -- for either '07 or '08. "
Rehearsal dates were reported mid August of 06 when Variety's Chris Gardner and Pamela McClintock wrote that the "film version of the hit Broadway musical was first set up at Warners well over a decade ago, with Burton attached to direct. DreamWorks picked up the project when Burton fell off, and Sam Mendes came aboard to develop the film with Logan.
DreamWorks kicked "Sweeney Todd" into high gear in June, when Burton became available after Par put his "Ripley's Believe It or Not" on hold amid concerns over budget and the creative direction.
Likewise, Depp's schedule opened up when director Peter Weir ankled Warners' "Shantaram."Musical is set to begin shooting in early February at Pinewood Studios near London. "Sweeney Todd" producers said rehearsals and pre-recordings will begin in November and December. "
The next day, Aug. 17, 2006 we read in Hollywood Reporter that DreamWorks Studios had announced the official start of production for Sweeney Todd in London at Pinewood Studios to begin on Feb. 5 2007.
In an Oct.21, 2006 article from from the Daily News that was reported on The Stephen Sondheim Society forum we learned that the cast will "go into a recording studio next month (Nov 06) and start laying down tracks. "
While Tim was still promoting the re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas, we got more from him on ST in a Timeout.com interview on Nov. 17, 2006 when he told us that " She (Helena Bonham Carter) had to go through a rigorous auditioning process, though. Stephen Sondheim had a say in it."
Just as an FYI, on Dec 17 we read that Sweeney Todd will be wearing a green homburg.
The son of director Tim Burton and actress Helena Bonham Carter will make his second cameo appearance in his father's next movie - at the tender age of three according to yahoo news on March 01, 2007.
March 21, 2007 brought us the great news that " just a couple of weeks ago, Paramount played host on its Hollywood lot to executives from a small, regional chain, Pacific Theaters, showing them scenes from two high-end movies still in production, "Drillbit Taylor" and "Sweeney Todd."
Then late March brought us the sad news that Johnny's daughter was taken ill and that he left the production for about 10 days to be with his daughter. The production continued to film around him until his return.
On March 29, Variety reports: 'Todd' to sing in time for Christmas
Burton's musical set to open Dec. 21, 2007. (Edit: We now know that in Aug, WB announced that ST would open wide on Christmas Day.)
April 10 brings us these words from composer Sondheim about Johnny and ST in this review
"Early buzz from the UK sets has Johnny Depp lining up for a trip to the Academy podium come Oscar '08. Indeed, word from Stephen Sondheim (who had some role in approving the casting, at least from a musical standpoint) has the iconic actor delivering 'the performance of a lifetime'."
Reportedly Sweeney Todd wrapped filming on May 11.
Richard Zanuck returned this week with the film having been completed and brought in for an economical (these days) $50 million directed by Tim Burton in 50 days.
On June 5, Comic-Con Reveals Preliminary Film & TV List
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20806
Comic-Con International has announced its preliminary list of films and TV shows that will be present during the 2007 Comic-Con, taking place in San Diego from July 26-29 including Sweeney Todd.
June 8 brought us the link to the official movie website http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/
San Diego's July Comic Con gave us this first official look at Sweeney in the form of this poster that was handed out there.
August 10 came and we got this word from Variety on the CC poster. http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononholly...n-the-nigh.html
Love this black-and-white-and-red poster art for Sweeney Todd, starring Johnny Depp as Stephen Sondheim's sanguine Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which was revealed at Comic-Con. Advance word on the latest Burton/Depp collaboration is good.
Also on the 20th of August we learned:
http://www.sondheim.org/php/news.php?id=2350
On September 5th, the Venice Film Festival is honouring director Tim Burton with a 24 hour Tim Burton Day. Warner Bros has said that a 10 minute promotion for the Sweeney Todd film will be shown during the event.
Finally the news we were waiting for about the new release date:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797097...egoryid=13&cs=1
'Sweeney' gets Christmas premiere
Johnny Depp musical to open Dec. 21
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter star in helmer Tim Burton's musical 'Sweeney Todd,' to be released at Christmas.
Johnny Depp will be singing in time for Christmas -- everywhere.
DreamWorks and Paramount have decided to go wide with director Tim Burton's bigscreen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical "Sweeney Todd" on Dec. 21, versus a platform release.
ST book author Mark Salisbury set aside rumors of a less bloody ST in his blog on Aug 27...bring on the "R" rating!
From Mark:http://marksalisbury.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
"And because I'm not going to be around for Tim Burton Day on the second Wednesday I won't be seeing a sneak preview of footage from Sweeney Todd which pains me but, hey, them's the breaks. Incidentally, all those reports of Burton being asked to cut back on the blood in the movie, don't believe a word of it."
And that brings us up to date, today, Sept 1, 2007
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
For the latest news on Depp and all of his projects, visit http://johnnydeppreads.com/
Ads, posters and pics to date
First ad seen in Jan. 2007 Variety:
Posters:
Production stills:
Set pics:
Posters:
Production stills:
Set pics:
August 30th brought us the official press release about Mark Salisbury's companion book to SWEENEY TODD
TITAN ATTENDS THE TALE OF SWEENEY TODD
As excitement builds over the Hollywood adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sweeney Todd, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Titan Books has acquired worldwide publishing rights from DreamWorks Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures for the official companion.
Written by Mark Salisbury, the only journalist on the movie’s set, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET has been compiled in close collaboration with Tim Burton and his production team, promising a truly exclusive look behind the scenes. With a foreword by Burton himself and interviews with the cast and crew throughout, this stunning hardback will also include extracts from the shooting script, illustrated with over 200 photographs, plus concept drawings and production designs.
“Sweeney Todd burrows into your thoughts with the poisoned seductiveness of a campfire storyteller who knows what really scares you.”- The New York Times
This big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller sees Johnny Depp taking the eponymous role as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, joining forces for the sixth time with Oscar® nominated director Tim Burton, who was drawn to the project by its irresistible “blend of humour, horror and emotion”.
Depp is joined by Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies, with a supporting cast that includes Alan Rickman (Perfume, the Harry Potter films) as the evil Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall (Lemony Snicket, Nicholas Nickleby) as his wicked associate Beadle Bamford, and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Talledega Nights) as flamboyant rival barber Signor Adolfo Pirelli.
Titan’s companion will retail in the US from December 2007 for $30.00, with the UK publication following in January 2008, priced £19.99.
Titan Books has an established worldwide reputation as a publisher of high-profile licensed film and television tie-ins and companions, with recent successes including The Winston Effect, Superman Returns: The Complete Shooting Script and Stardust: The Visual Companion, and companions to television programmes including 24, Battlestar Galactica, The 4400 and Bones.
###
TITAN ATTENDS THE TALE OF SWEENEY TODD
As excitement builds over the Hollywood adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sweeney Todd, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Titan Books has acquired worldwide publishing rights from DreamWorks Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures for the official companion.
Written by Mark Salisbury, the only journalist on the movie’s set, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET has been compiled in close collaboration with Tim Burton and his production team, promising a truly exclusive look behind the scenes. With a foreword by Burton himself and interviews with the cast and crew throughout, this stunning hardback will also include extracts from the shooting script, illustrated with over 200 photographs, plus concept drawings and production designs.
“Sweeney Todd burrows into your thoughts with the poisoned seductiveness of a campfire storyteller who knows what really scares you.”- The New York Times
This big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller sees Johnny Depp taking the eponymous role as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, joining forces for the sixth time with Oscar® nominated director Tim Burton, who was drawn to the project by its irresistible “blend of humour, horror and emotion”.
Depp is joined by Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies, with a supporting cast that includes Alan Rickman (Perfume, the Harry Potter films) as the evil Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall (Lemony Snicket, Nicholas Nickleby) as his wicked associate Beadle Bamford, and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Talledega Nights) as flamboyant rival barber Signor Adolfo Pirelli.
Titan’s companion will retail in the US from December 2007 for $30.00, with the UK publication following in January 2008, priced £19.99.
Titan Books has an established worldwide reputation as a publisher of high-profile licensed film and television tie-ins and companions, with recent successes including The Winston Effect, Superman Returns: The Complete Shooting Script and Stardust: The Visual Companion, and companions to television programmes including 24, Battlestar Galactica, The 4400 and Bones.
###
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