Did we mention this is a musical? You might not have figured that out from the “Sweeney Todd” trailers, which feature nary a sung note. That seems like an especially strange choice given that “Sweeney” is practically an opera—a good 75 percent of the film is sung. Then again, neither Johnny Depp nor Helena Bonham Carter has ever warbled a note professionally, so maybe there’s a reason for the nonmusical commercials. Burton says he isn’t trying to hide anything. “We really can’t show 30 seconds of music, because that doesn’t do it justice, but it is a musical, and people should know that,” says Burton.
Interestingly, no one even asked Depp to audition. “That made me laugh,” says Burton. “After years of having to talk everyone into having Johnny, they’re, like, oh, sure, let’s do an R-rated musical with somebody we don’t even know can sing.” On the other hand, Bonham Carter competed with several actresses for the role of Mrs. Lovett—even though she is Burton’s longtime girlfriend. “I didn’t want to make it seem like, oh, I just gave my girlfriend the part,” he says. “I put her through the wringer.” Burton did plenty of sweating himself. When he showed a rough cut of the movie to Sondheim about a month ago in London, Burton says he left the room and went to a pub. “I didn’t want to be there,” he says. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous showing anybody anything ever. I was freaking out.” Seems like a small price to pay to direct a movie that’s to die for.
