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
