Monday, May 14, 2007

Christopher Lee Cut From "Sweeney Todd"?

An article on Stephen Sondheim's own website (http://www.sondheim.org/php/news.php?id=2299) from the Sunday Telegraph has stated that Christopher Lee's character, the Gentleman Ghost, has been cut from Tim Burton's upcoming film version of Sweeney Todd. Half a dozen other actors who were to play more singing ghosts have been axed from the film, too. Sondheim had greatly approved of Lee's operatic singing (he recently released a CD), but a tight production schedule is most likely to be the reason that the singing ghosts parts were cut. Lee was eager to participate in what would have been his fourth collaboration with Burton (they first worked together on 1999's Sleepy Hollow). The actor said that "It would have been worse if I had done the scenes, but I never got to film them." Lee continued saying "It's a shame as the lyrics were wonderful, but these things happen."

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

nooooooooooo T_T

Anonymous said...

Well that sucks. v.v

Anonymous said...

Awww, man!

Unknown said...

I have a deep love for the broadway show, Sweeney Todd. They BETTER NOT screw this up!

Anonymous said...

I agree, Matthew. I'm working backstage for it next season. I can't wait!! This is one of the most beautiful (yet incredibly creepy) musicals ever written.

Anonymous said...

Gee Wiz that is no way to treat a great actor like Lee!

man i tell ya, when scenes start getting cut b/c of a rush deadline things start going bad!

I hope this doesnt affect the picture

Anonymous said...

I don't remember there being any "Gentleman Ghost" in the production I saw. If there was no such character in the original I think this is for the better.

Anonymous said...

The Gentalman ghost is a character that was made for the movie because it isn't in the play what so ever. I'm not sure how ghosts fit in with the the story of Sweeney Todd, since its not really a supernatural story. It would have been quite intresting though, but maybe better off with out it.

deppthinker said...

Well, I can certainly understand the tight schedule , due to Johnny's devoted vigil at his daughter's bedside....Still , it's a sad thing that Mr. Lee was axed . He really does have such a strong , operatic voice , to say nothing of his commanding presence . :::sigh::: Oh, well . That's show biz .

Anonymous said...

Well, in the orginal the ghosts, was kinda telling the story of Sweeney Todd, so that it made more sence. I liked the ghosts, it was really cool seeing them with their sliced and bloody throats...lol. :) But I am also sad that Christoper Lee is not going to be playing in it. I really liked him. ,,, (T_T) ,,, He plays excelent rolls for judges and with his voice, he would fit perfect as the mean judge. Do we know who is playing as the guy who follows the judge around yet? Tim always pulls things off though so hopefully this is not true. Maby they might put him in the behind the scenes...Idk but i cant wait to see it!!

Anonymous said...

Man, couldn't they just make him a townsperson or something in the chorus? The chorus is amazingly powerful, and some of the solos are WONDERFUL.

Anonymous said...

WELL, I'M PISSED

Anonymous said...

tim burton kicks ass

Sierra said...

poor lee... he would have done great!
I wish Tim had all of the time and money in the world so that he could make all of his films perfect!