Tim Burton’s new film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is getting a lot of buzz both for Burton himself and its star Johnny Depp.
The movie is the cinematic adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical about the psychotic barber exacting vengeance for his unjust imprisonment. The theme of the movie is right up Burton’s alley and his visual trademarks are quite appropriate for the story. I’ve seen the trailer for the movie and it really gives Burton a wonderful palette to work with. It is dark with a bit of a comic edge. Fans of the musical widely approve of Burton’s take and are eagerly awaiting the movie’s release.
Johnny Depp is also getting a lot of attention from Sweeney Todd fans. Although many people think that he is perfect for the role, his vocal abilities have been questioned. His last musical, Cry Baby, basically had all of his singing parts dubbed. But according to rumors, Depp is aggressively taking vocal lessons and that Sondheim himself has approved of his vocal chops.
Other actors cast in the movie are Helena Bonham Carter (Woohoo!) as Mrs. Lovett, Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin, Sascha Baron Cohen plays Pirelli and Christopher Lee will play the role of a ghost.