December 14, 2007
I was listening to Fresh Air yesterday with Terry Gross. She was interviewing the producer of Sweeney Todd, which, I'm sure you're aware, is the motion picture version of Sondheim's musical–starring His Hotness Johnny Depp and directed by good friend Tim Burton.
According to the interview, which you can listen to in its entirety here, Richard Zanuck, the producer, hadn't heard Johnny Depp sing until eight weeks before production started.
As he put it: sets were being built, casting was being finalized, costumes were being designed…and he hadn't heard Johnny sing. Eep.
Neither had Steven Sondheim, who Tim Burton had been negotiating and pleading with for years before he gave permission for the musical to be turned into a film. In fact, two of his stipulations for doing the film were that he had to have approval for Sweeney and also for Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter).
In fact, apparently, Johnny met privately with Sondheim and all had expected that he'd sing for him then…but no go. Yet, Sondheim approved him anyway. (And why wouldn't he? I mean, really. Who else would be so perfect for the role, singer or no singer?)
And…here's the stunner of them all: even Tim Burton hadn't heard Johnny sing!
But when he finally did, the way Zanuck tells it, Burton walked into his office (which was next door to his) and put a tape deck down in front of him with headphones, and then just walked out, with no explanation. Zanuck didn't know what it was or what to expect, so he put the headphones on and played it.
It was so good that Zanuck rushed over to Burton's office and they were literally crying…they were so pleased.
(Hint: if you listen to the interview above, you'll hear a snippet from one of the songs.)
So, now, of course, I must get the soundtrack. I mean, to hear Johnny sing? Enough to make two grown men cry? *sob* Off to Rhapsody I go….
PS. Is it wrong of me to look at that picture and want to sit in his lap?
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
December 14th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I hope I agree when I see the film. This is one that I am really looking forward to and I hope it is one of Burton’s good ones. When he is on he is one of my favorite directors.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I am quite the queen of the movie musical, but I’m a little on the fence about this movie. Tim Burton tends to be a little *too* kooky for me, and I have a very high squick factor. I’d love to hear what you think when you do see it.
I’m off to see Atonement this weekend. I loves me some angsty costume drama!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Am I the only person is INFURIATED by Depp being cast in this film?
He ISN’T imposing at all. Alan Rickman looks like he could snap johnny in half! Every other broadway Sweeny has been huge and scary looking. Depp just looks crazy…which isn’t supposed to be apparent from the outside, and that’s WHY he gets away with so much!
I’m pleased with Helena Bonham Carter, even if it is nepotism.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
I actually got to see this movie at an advanced screening on Wednesday. I went in fully expecting to hate it (I’m a huge fan of Sweeney Todd and, from all the rumors I’ve heard, am pretty sure they would mess it up) and I can honestly say it was not disappointing. They cut stuff, they changed stuff, the leads couldn’t sing anywhere near as well as they should have been able to, but it was absolutely perfect.
And Cosmic Kid, Johnny pulled off Sweeney very believably, IMO. I was worried about him, too.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I am looking forward to this. I love a good Johnny Depp movie. ABout the singing, I was pretty sure Johnny was or is in a band (not that that means he can sing, I’m just saying LOL).
December 14th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
hunh, is johnny depp in this movie. i hadn’t noticed him in the glare of all that is lovely about ALAN RICKMAN.
pfft. johnny depp. little boy.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
no, it is a perfectly natural response to want to sit in his lap. Johnny is, in my book, the lord and master of hotness. He is also going to play Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows. yummm!
December 15th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Sweeney Todd was meant to be played by Johnny Depp. Who cares if he can sing?? I certinaly don’t!!
And I’m with you….I want to sit on his lap!!
December 17th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Oh I can’t wait for this to come out. I have high hopes that it is going to rock - and with both Johnny and Alan in the movie, it can’t go wrong!
December 21st, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I was thinking the same thing you said in your PS! I’m going to see him tonight…woohoo!