Is Johnny Depp going to ruin the role of Sweeney Todd?

Question:I've been discussing this with my sister for days now, and I believe he is just going to MURDER this role (no pun intended). He doesn't have a trained voice! I've heard what Sweeney is supposed to sound like, and Johnny doesn't have what it takes. Does anyone think there might be a way he could make it work? My sister seems to think so...but seriously, check out the trailer or some of the clips if you haven't already and tell me what you think.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've been discussing this with my sister for days now, and I believe he is just going to MURDER this role (no pun intended). He doesn't have a trained voice! I've heard what Sweeney is supposed to sound like, and Johnny doesn't have what it takes. Does anyone think there might be a way he could make it work? My sister seems to think so...but seriously, check out the trailer or some of the clips if you haven't already and tell me what you think.

hahaha, yes! Some one who agrees with me. In my opinion, he does not have what it takes, especially if you have heard the other Sweeneys. He's horrifically nasally, but I guess some may like him. They needed a trained singer for this role, and really for all the other roles too. {Has anyone else heard Anthony? Wow, is he bad too...} But, Tim Burton has a slight obsession with casting Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in lead roles. It's also sad, though not really on the same topic, that now whenever I say Sweeney Todd, people will say, "Oh, that Tim Burton movie?" Um, no, lol, a Stephen Sondheim musical! Johnny Depp is a great actor, don't get me wrong, but he's not a singer!

I don't think he will ruin it so much as bring something completely different to the character. He doesn't have a bad voice, in fact, it's pretty good. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that they made Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett WAY to young... they tried to age sweeney but it didn't work that well... Burton needs to get over his obsession with Depp...

How do you know he doesn't have what it takes? Wait and see the movie before you judge it.

iv heard johnny depp sing and he's not so bad.. but i dont think sweeney todd should be a good singer... he's insane and johnny depp will ace the role... and then ask me to marry him*sigh*

I don't care if he murders it or not as him just being in the film will be enough to keep my interest.

The thing is...Burton and Depp have done so many exceptional things together that I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. However...

Having seen MANY performances of this musical (including both Len Cariou and George Hearn on Broadway), and having seen the trailers featuring Depp's half-singing/half-talking of the lyrics, it seems evident to me that Burton/Depp are not even going to try to achieve the musicality of Sondheim's original.

Normally, I'd say that isn't a problem -- let's see what these guys bring to the story. But, you have to remember that the STORY of Sweeney Todd had been around for well over a century by the time Sondheim got to it. It was just one more melodrama treating on the topic of retribution. So, the whole POINT of Sondheim's telling of the story was the elegance and moral weight that his music brought to it. Now, it seems as though Burton and Depp are going to retreat back to the old melodrama formula.

Don't get me wrong; I'll see it. But I have no illusions that it'll be anything like the stage play.

As for Depp...hard to imagine that an actor of his depth and quality would "murder" any role he attempted.

He is going to bucher it (pun intended). i don't think he fits the part at all. it just isn't going to work (i'm going to see it anyway becasue i've seen the original and i want to compare it)

Ok have you heard the original cast recording of the show? It is very dissonnant and gloomy most of Sweeny's parts are spoke-sung, the guy who plays the boyfriend of Sweeny's Daughter need to be able to sing, he has a Gut Buster called Not While I'm Around. Johnny Depp is the perfect Sweeney. Tim Burton is the perfect director, but you should have know that Depp would be Sweeney, since it is Burton.

Apparently, he's great in the role. Here's the first official review, and it's a rave:

http://www.variety.com/review/VE11179355...