Posted by Shadowdog 8/29/06 at 07:13 PM

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http://movies.about.com/od/deppjohnny/a/sweeney081806.htm

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are Set for Sweeney Todd Movie
From Rebecca Murray,
Aug 28 2006


Sweeney Todd Will be a Joint Production of DreamWorks and Warner
Brothers
DreamWorks confirmed Johnny Depp will star in and Tim Burton will
direct a film version of Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller, Sweeney
Todd. The film reunites Depp and Burton who have a successful track
record together, having teamed up for five previous films: Sleepy
Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory.
While doing publicity for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Depp spoke briefly about the possibility of tackling the role of the
Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Sweeney Todd. Asked if he'll take
voice lessons for the part, Depp - who admits he doesn't even sing in
the shower - said he'll definitely have to.

Depp also said he's looking forward to the special challenges
presented by starring in a musical.
"For an actor it's so important to challenge yourself and I believe
it's important to be potentially teetering on the brink of absolute
flopdom because otherwise you're just sort of there," explained
Depp. "It's easy to become complacent and sort of stick to a formula
and say, 'Well, this is my niche and this works and so I can stay in
this and safely, as the clock is ticking, do my work and get out
while I can.' So I mean, who knows? I might be a horrible singer but
that might work for the character. You never know."

John Logan adapted the Sondheim musical for the screen and will be
producing the film. Also on board as producers are Walter Parkes,
Laurie MacDonald, and Richard Zanuck. DreamWorks will handle domestic
distribution of Sweeney Todd with Warner Bros Pictures in charge of
international distribution.

Filming is expected to begin in early 2007 with the studios targeting
a late '07 release date.

Sweeney Todd - The Official Synopsis

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."

Source: DreamWorks