I`ve read that Carol Burnette and Glen Close were recently seen at performances of Sweeney. Do you think they are considering the role of Mrs. Lovette for the movie? They would both be AWESOME in the role! Although my vote is for Meryl Streep!
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
Carol Burnett is too old for the role now. She probably would have been a wonderful Lovett on stage fifteen years ago, but I don't think she would really even have the energy to do a theatrical production at this point.
Glenn Close, I suppose might be a possibility, but both she and Meryl Streep actually seem old for the role too compared to Johnny Depp.
Now they can do it like it`s supposed to be done! This is my cast for Sweeney:
Sweeney: Kelsey Grammer
Mrs. Lovette: Meryl Streep
Judge Turpin: George Hearn (Wouldn`t that be AWESOME!!!!!! It would be like a nod to all Sweeney fans!)
Pirelli: Alan Cumming
Beggar Woman: Andrea Martin
Beadle: Alexander Gemignani
Tobias: Manoel
Johanna: Lauren Molina
Anthony: I HAVEN`T GOTTEN THE SLIGHTEST CLUE
Patti should NOT play Mrs. Lovette in the movie. She already has played the part in London, Broadway, New York Philharmonic, San Diego Philharmonic (Which was filmed so if you want to see her as Mrs.Lovette so badly go out and buy this!) She does not have the star power to put those butts in the seats!
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
I think the press releases have said that Burton is "pursuing" Depp, but given Depp's star power and their previous history together -- it would seem extremely likely, unless Depp is say, tone deaf, and doesn't want the stigma of being dubbed.
NathanLaneStalker, I have to disagree with you about Patti. Ideally, she SHOULD play Mrs. Lovett - she's become synonymous with the role. Utlimately, if Johnny Depp is to play Sweeney, I think he has enough of his own star power to put the proverbial "butts in the seats." By complimenting his Hollywood appeal with someone with Broadway appeal (i.e. Patti LuPone), you are appealing to two different crowds and two different interests, thereby increasing your potential audience.
And if we're measuring star power, I don't think I've ever heard someone say, "I'm dying to go see the new Glenn Close movie." Sorry. Meryl Streep is a different case, and I personally adore her. I wouldn't mind seeing her play Mrs. Lovett.
"Of course there is the castle - the ruined castle. I find it lovely. Probably because it's ruined, I suppose." - Passion
"Judge Turpin: George Hearn (Wouldn`t that be AWESOME!!!!!! It would be like a nod to all Sweeney fans!)"
It would be AWESOME (if you must) if Len Cariou were to be cast. After all, he was the original Sweeney when it was done the way it was supposed to be done. By the time Hearn did the tour, the production was cut down seriously and Todd became a comic rather than a menacing character.
I'd love to see Cyndi Lauper as Mrs. Lovett, but don't be surprised to see someone like Nicole Kidman, Renee Zelwegger, or Catherine Zeta-Jones get the part.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
Thank you, FOAnatic. I was waiting for someone to say it.
Utlimately, if Johnny Depp is to play Sweeney, I think he has enough of his own star power to put the proverbial "butts in the seats." By complimenting his Hollywood appeal with someone with Broadway appeal (i.e. Patti LuPone), you are appealing to two different crowds and two different interests, thereby increasing your potential audience. OK babe, hold up. We're talking about an audience of millions upon millions (Mainstream American moviegoers to whom Johnny Depp would be the draw) compared to a few theater queens that will go to see a movie version of SWEENEY regardless of who is cast. Patti LuPone is not a movie draw.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
I'm sorry if what I said contradicted with what you heard. I don't recall saying she was a movie draw. What I did say was that by casting someone with Broadway appeal (Patti would be the best choice right now, but it could be any Broadway player, really), you would attract your "theater queens" that may otherwise would not see it for their own individual reasons.
I never once said Patti LuPone is a movie draw, thank you. I did say, and I stand by the fact that Broadway performers appeal to the "Broadway audience," which would then thereby increase the POTENTIAL (key word, babe) audience - however marginal that increase would be. That's all I'm saying.
"Of course there is the castle - the ruined castle. I find it lovely. Probably because it's ruined, I suppose." - Passion
Okay, I love Meryl Streep ( who really doesn't) but I don't think she would be right for the part. She has a good singing vioce but not right for mrs.Lovett. (sorry Meryl fans) She could probably pull off any part but I think they could find someone better for the part. I heard Toni Collette was under negoitations for the role, I think she would be good in the role or at least interesting to watch.
I know Patti LuPone is not an "A lister" but come on right now she would be the best one for the part.
It's a pity that very few of the actors mentioned thusfar - with the exception of Alan Cumming - could keep up the necessary accent for the duration of the piece.
It is also important to point out that imdb is completely non-verified information. Johnny Depp being removed from their page means absolutely nothing.
Not to mention that the concert video with Patti Lupone & George Hearn is not the San Diego Philharmonic but rather then San Francisco Symphony.
Glenn Close is only 2 years younger than Patti LuPone. Plus, I think it adds another interesting layer when an older actress is cast. It's happening in the revival right now. Michael Cerveris is almost 12 years younger than Patti.
Plus, I think it adds another interesting layer when an older actress is cast.
The definition of an "interesting layer" to money-dropping mainstream American moviegoers most likely refers less to the dynamics of a film than to something resembling an extra squirt of butter on their popcorn.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
However, Burton is a filmaker that usually goes against the grain and cares about things like the character's layers and subtexts. Sweeney Todd isn't going to be your typical "crowd pleaser" anyway. It's not even totally looked at as "commercial" on Broadway, let alone at the movies.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)