Andrew Hartman of MovieMusicals.net looks to have snagged quite the impressive scoop … provided it turns out to be accurate, of course. Word is that insane filmmaker Tim Burton and ultra-cool actor Johnny Depp will be re-teaming (yes, again) to bring an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim‘s "Sweeney Todd" to the big screen.
"According to anonymous sources, director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp, who together have worked on five major motion pictures including ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and more recently ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory,’ will team once more for the upcoming movie musical adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd.’
Depp will portray title character Sweeney Todd – the demon barber or Fleet Street – who slits the throats of his innocent (and not-so-innocent) customers.
As of last year, Sam Mendes (‘Road to Perdition,’ ‘Jarhead‘) was rumored to be the frontrunner to direct, however he left the project shortly after ‘Jarhead’ opened in theatres.
It is unknown if Burton will opt to use the existing John Logan screenplay adaptation, or start from scratch. Therefore, a release date cannot be predicted at this time.
‘Sweeney Todd’ first opened on Broadway in 1979 which starred Len Cariou, Angela Lansbury, Victor Garber, and Ken Jennings. The show is currently on Broadway in its second revival, starring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris. The show features a score by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim who in his career has earned eight Tony awards, including Best Score for ‘Sweeney Todd.’"
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Previous collaborations between Burton & Depp have yielded "Edward Scissorhands" (1990), "Ed Wood" (1994), "Sleepy Hollow" (1999), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), and "Corpse Bride" (2005).
