DEPP, BURTON SIGN ON FOR SWEENEY TODD
WebPosted Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:48:30
---Actor Johnny Depp is set to take up the razors of the demon barber of
Fleet Street in a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's dark musical
Sweeney Todd .
Depp will once again team up with director and frequent collaborator Tim
Burton for the film, which will be based on the award-winning stage
musical, movie studio DreamWorks announced Thursday.
Tentatively set for release in late 2007, the film will star Depp as the
murderous barber of the title, who after a long prison sentence returns
to London for blood-soaked revenge against the judge who framed him.
The new film will be Depp and Burton's sixth collaboration, after Edward
Scissorhands , Ed Wood , Sleepy Hollow , Corpse Bride and Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory .
Murderous 19th century tale depicted on stage, screen
The legend of Sweeney Todd has existed in British lore since the 19th
century and has previously been depicted on both stage and screen.
In 1979, Sondheim unveiled his musical version on Broadway, with Canadian
actor Len Cariou and British actress Angela Lansbury starring as Todd and
his meat pie-making accomplice, Mrs. Lovett.
The production eventually won eight Tony Awards, including best musical,
and best lead actor and actress for Cariou and Lansbury.
An acclaimed, pared-down revival of Sweeney Todd , starring Michael
Cerveris and Patti LuPone, opened on Broadway last November and is set to
close Sept. 3.
Copyright (C) 2006 CBC. All rights reserved.
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