"Sweeney Todd" Slashes Box Office Competition in UK

ContactMusic.com reports that Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street had a smashing opening weekend in movie theaters in the United Kingdom. The film came out as number one at the box office, defeating competition. The film earned about £4,512,42 (about $8,960,807.42 in American dollars) in the UK during its opening weekend.

Possible "Sweeney Todd" DVD Featurette Revealed

The makers of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street have asked two Welsh professors, Professors Richard Hand and Mike Wilson, from the University of Glamorgan, to give their thoughts on the role and significance of horror. They were interviewed for a documentary on horror theater, which is said to be one of the many extras on the Sweeney Todd DVD, which will be released later this year. The two academics discussed horror and why we are so compelled to watch it.

The two professors were offered the job after publishing their new book, London’s Grand Guignol and the Theatre of Horror.

“Horror is escapism, as shocking as it can be. The horror industry has never gone away,” he said. “People want the adrenaline rush of the roller coaster ride. People do know it’s not real.

“Horror movies are adult fairy tales and they have very close links to comedy. I’ve been half-way through a film like Evil Dead 2 and suddenly realised it isn’t horror at all, it’s comedy.’’

Prof. Wilson said, “It is fantastic to be involved with such a high-profile film and to be included on a DVD which will be viewed by people around the world.

“We have been researching horror theatre for about 10 years now and this is an exciting opportunity for our research to reach a wider public audience.”

On which regions and versions of the upcoming DVD of the horror-musical this featurette is supposed to appear is yet to be known.

Tim Burton's Home

Tim Burton recently mentioned the curious fact that his parents, for some reason or another, walled-up the windows in the little suburban house he lived in during his childhood in Burbank, California.

"I had two windows that looked out to the lawn. For some reason my parents walled them up and gave me this little slit window that I had to climb up on my desk to see out of. To this day I never asked them why," said the filmmaker in the Australian newspaper The Age.

Helena Bonham Carter offered information on the home she shares with her partner (and possibly her future husband, as Burton revealed recently), and with their two children: four-year-old Billy Ray Burton and their one-month-old daughter, whose name has yet to be officially released (though rumors online state it's Indiana Rose Burton). The pair have two separate, ajoining houses in North London.

"His side is messier and decorated with props from the films. My side is cutesy, Beatrix Potter, which is fine for him to visit but there's no way he could live in it. He thinks his side is James Bond," said Helena.

Billy's bedroom is in Tim's house.

Helena said: "I have the kitchen and a fire so we'll watch TV in my place.

"There is no normality in life. Having two houses means that we can get out of each other's hair - which, let's face it, we've both got a lot of!"

Elijah Wood Confirms Voice for "9"

Actor Elijah Wood recently confirmed that he has lent his voice for an upcoming computer animated feature film, entitled 9. Here's what Wood said:

[T]here's a movie called 9. It's an animated film directed by Shane Acker and executive produced by Tim Burton. That is actually a fully fleshed-out version of the 9 short film that won Best Animated Short at the Oscars, I believe, a couple of years ago. It's about a post-apocalyptic world, essentially, a world where humanity has been destroyed by the machinery it has created. There are these rag dolls, these mechanized rag dolls, that are the only living thing left and they are trying to figure out who they are, and what they are and why humanity was destroyed. It's sort of (laughs) it's relatively dark fare, but the animation style is extraordinary and the story is quite an adventurous one and quite unique in regards to the animated films that have been released in the past couple of years.



The film is based on a 10 1/2 minute long short of the same name, which was directed by Shane Acker. The short took 4 1/2 years to make. It differs from its upcoming feature adaptation in that the original short did not feature any voices. Instead, an unusual semblance of unique sound effects and music moved the story along. The film was nominated for an Oscar in 2005.

Though it will be made in CGI, the computer animation is said to mimic the movement of stop-motion animation, which Tim Burton is so fond of.

Poster for the original short 9 (2004)

Other actors who have lent their voices for the upcoming project include Martin Landau (who was in Tim Burton's Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow), Jennifer Connelly, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, and Christopher Plummer. Along with Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, Dana Ginsburg, Jim Lemley, and Marci Levine will produce the movie.

9 is set for a U.S. theatrical release of December 26th, 2008.

Yet Another "Todd" Interview

Yup, another Sweeney Todd related interview from the UK. Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Timothy Spall discuss musicals and the violence in the movie.

Burton and Depp on "Culture Show"

With Sweeney Todd making its UK debut on Friday, there is still plenty of advertising and promotions going around. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton discuss their latest collaboration in this video from "Culture Show." Depp recalls Iggy Pop and Anthony Newley inspired his voice for Todd and Peter Lorre helped him with the acting.

"Sweeney Todd" London Press Conference Video

You can now watch the London Press Conference of Sweeney Todd online. Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, and Timothy Spall take questions and poke fun at one another a bit. Beware of SPOILERS!

Part One:



Part Two:

Burton on Blood in "Sweeney Todd"

Tim Burton has stated that the highly stylized use of blood in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was crucial for the story. He says that he let the bosses at DreamWorks and Warner Bros. know that "blood was part of the production" as soon as he proposed his desire to make the movie version of the musical.

Talking about their initial meetings, he said: "It's an amazing thing that [we said]: 'We're gonna do an R rated musical with no professional singers, with lots of blood, about a serial killer and cannibalism', and they go 'Great!'. That was unheard of, I've never had that happen in my life before."



The filmmaker added that the fake blood used for the movie was orange, sticky, and curiously sweet. "It was our own special recipe, very sticky, very sweet and it burns your eyes."

The young Ed Sanders, who plays Toby in the film, also gave his opinion of the purposefully unrealistic gore in the film: "For a start, [it] was orange, and you could also see it actually pumping in through the pipes around the people they were killing's necks."

Good thing for star of the film Johnny Depp, who revealed that he is squeamish of seeing blood.

"There's a lot of blood-letting in the film but I like to keep mine inside me thank you very much.

"I'm not very good with the sight of my own blood. Nobody likes to be prodded or poked in any way, whether it's in the doctor's office or in jail."

Depp continued: "I always look away when I draw blood at the doctor's office. The blood we use is very theatrical. That's one of the reasons it still feels like a play to me. The realistic edge is off."

Burton admitted that he shared Depp's phobia, but didn't have a problem with their false blood concoction used during filming.

"The South Bank Show": Tim Burton Episode

Think you've seen everything there is to see and know everything there is to know about Tim Burton? Think again. "The South Bank Show," an award-winning television arts magazine show from Britain, has come out with a new episode featuring the director with rare footage, information, and interviews (with Tim, Danny Elfman, Rich Heinrichs, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, and many others) you may never have seen before. From his youngest years and earliest ventures into film (including his student movie "Houdini" and his 2D animated short, "Stalk of the Celery Monster") to the present day, the episode encompasses a great deal of the filmmaker's works.

Little Tim on a pony. Shocking.

Tim Burton in "Houdini."


"Stalk of the Celery Monster"

A young Rich Heinrichs and Tim Burton being interviewed, with puppets from Vincent (1982) between them.

Sketch of Mrs. Lovett and Todd by Burton for Sweeney Todd

Watch the episode on YouTube (in multiple segments) or on Stage6 (which is in one piece. You can also download the video from the Stage6 link). Video courtesy of John Erik Taylor.

BAFTA Nominees Announced

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has been nominated for two BAFTA awards: Best Make Up & Hair (Ivana Primorac and Peter Owen), and Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood). The results from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will be announced on February 10th, 2008.

Oscar Nominees Announced

The nominees for the 80th Annual Academy Awards have been announced. The official website, oscar.com, states that Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has been nominated for three categories: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Johnny Depp as the title character), Best Art Direction (art director Dante Ferretti and set decorator Francesca Lo Schiavo), and Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood, making this her second nomination for her work on a Tim Burton film, with Sleepy Hollow being the first). Click on the links for Academy Award history on each of the nominees.


The Oscar Awards ceremony will broadcast on February 24th, 2008, at 5PT/8ET on ABC in the United States.

Timothy Spall on Johnny Depp

Actor Timothy Spall recently discussed why he wanted to be in the Tim Burton adaptation of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. One notable reason, Spall said, was because his daughter wanted him to be in a film with Johnny Depp.

"I really wanted this one - I knew Tim was directing and that Johnny Depp was going to be in it. My daughter, my youngest daughter, really wanted me to do it for that reason - Johnny Depp was in it. [She came on set to meet Depp] and he was really delightful to her, she had a great time. Then, I took her to the junket - and [Johnny] greeted her like an old pal when he saw her. I've got plenty of brownie points at the moment," said Spall.

The actor also recalls how down-to-earth and good-natured Johnny Depp was. "[Depp's] a lovely lad actually - considering he's one of the biggest film stars at the moment, if not the biggest, he's totally down-to-earth; there's no attitude or weirdness about him. I know they can get like that - living in isolation and all. It's not like he's just some guy off the street, so it was nice to see he functions normally, but more so, he's a really nice guy and a lot of fun."

Timothy Spall plays the sinister Beadle Bamford in the movie musical.

"Sweeney Todd" Soundtrack Climbs Higher on "Billboard 200"

Playbill.com reports that the soundtrack to Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has climbed higher and higher on "The Billboard 200" charts.

Released on Dec. 18, the album debuted on the chart at No. 56 and jumped to No. 23, then No. 18 in succeeding weeks. For its fourth week, it has climbed to its highest spot thus far: No. 16.

Sweeney Todd also maintains a steady position on the "Top Soundtracks" chart at No. 4. The recording, however, did slide on the "Top Digital Albums" chart (to No. 11) and on the "Top Internet Albums" chart (to No. 8).

Nonesuch Records released two versions of the film's soundtrack of Stephen Sondheim songs: the first was a "Highlights" disc, which featured specific songs from the film. The second was a "Deluxe Edition" CD, which featured all of the songs used in the film and an 80-page booklet of fully colored images from the movie and lyrics. Click on this link to see the full track list (SPOILERS might be present).

Burton and Bonham Carter to Tie the Knot?

After nearly seven years, five films, and two children, Tim Burton announced that he might be ready to become officially married to his partner, Helena Bonham Carter.

"Helena and I feel so married we never got around to doing it, but I'm thinking about it.

"I'm a late bloomer."

The couple, residing in England, recently had their second child, a daughter, born in December 2007. The newest addition to the Burton-Bonham Carter family apparently has yet to be officially named, despite earlier rumors.

Burton, now 49 years old, was briefly married before to artist Lena Gieske. After that, he had a long-term relationship with model Lisa Marie. Helena Bonham Carter, 41, dated Kenneth Branagh before her relationship with director Burton.

2008 Golden Globes Results

While the ceremony didn't occur this year (due to the writers' strike), a press conference revealed the winners of the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was nominated for four awards. Here are the results:

Sweeney Todd won Best Picture (Comedy or Musical category), and Johnny Depp won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) for his role as the sinister barber, Sweeney Todd.

Tim Burton was nominated for Best Director of a motion picture (which covers both comedy/musical and drama films) and Helena Bonham Carter was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) for her role as Mrs. Lovett.


Tim Burton's films have been recognized by the Golden Globes in previous years. In 1990, Jack Nicholson was nominated for Best Actor (comedy or musical) for his performance as the twisted Joker in Burton's Batman. In 1991, Johnny Depp was nominated for Best Actor (comedy or musical) for his performance as the quiet Edward in Edward Scissorhands. In 1994, Danny Elfman's musical score for The Nightmare Before Christmas was nominated for Best Original Score. In 1995, Tim Burton's Ed Wood was recognized in three categories: Best Picture (comedy or musical), Johnny Depp for Best Actor (comedy or musical), and Martin Landau won the award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (of any both motion picture categories) for his performance as Bela Lugosi. Big Fish was nominated for four Golden Globe Awards in 2004: Best Picture (comedy or musical), Albert Finney for Best Supporting Actor, Danny Elfman's score, and the original song for the film, "Man of the Hour" by Eddie Vedder. And in 2006, Johnny Depp was nominated for Best Actor (comedy or musical) for his performance as the wacky Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

RIP, Maila Nurmi

Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira, died on January 10th, 2008. Born on December 21st, 1921, she lived to be 86 years old.

Nurmi's legacy is perhaps best known to fans of Tim Burton as being portrayed by Lisa Marie in Burton's 1994 film Ed Wood. As seen in the bio-pic on the B-movie director's life, Nurmi was a late-night host of classic and campy horror films on television. She appeared in Wood's most famous film, Plan 9 From Outer Space, in 1959.

After having lived a life of poverty (and a failed legal case against Elvira), Nurmi died of natural causes, peacefully in her bed.

Coverage of UK Premiere of "Sweeney Todd"

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street had its United Kingdom premiere in Leicester Square last night on Thursday, January 10th, 2008. Director Tim Burton and much of the cast (including Alan Rickman, Jayne Wisener, and Timothy Spall) were present for fans from all over, some from as far away as Russia and Japan. Star Johnny Depp spoke of his experience tackling the difficult singing in the musical horror film, based on the staged musical by Stephen Sondheim. "It was a challenge to see if I could do it. You've got to try something once and I gave it a shot," he said. Depp spent over an hour talking with fans from far and wide (the actor has been called the "best autograph giver", who likes to get to know his fans while signing for them).

Johnny Depp signing autographs.

While singing is one aspect of the film that has generated a lot of talk, the amount of blood and violence is another ever-present feature of the movie. Tim Burton defended that hyper-stylized gore effects in the movie. "By having more blood, it actually made it a bit less graphic, because sometimes when you don't show stuff it has a tendency to be more real and disturbing," he said. Burton has also said that it befits the film to be bloody, since it's been violent ever since the story began as an urban legend during the 1840s.

Helena Bonham Carter

Burton's partner Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Mrs. Lovett in the film, had no issue with the gore, and she was ecstatic to be a part of the movie. "It's one of the best written roles for women ever. I loved it from the age of 13. I think I've always wanted to be Mrs. Lovett," the actress said.

Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman, who plays the sinister Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, also shared a large group of fans as well as concerns about singing. "It was less singing and more careering from one note to another," he claimed. But Burton and Sondheim both had a preference for casting actors who could sing instead of casting singers who could act.

19-year-old Jayne Wisener plays Johanna in Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd will be released in cinemas throughout the United Kingdom on January 25th, 2008.

From left to right: Alan Rickman, Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, and Timothy Spall (who plays Turpin's right-hand man, Beadle Bamford)

Johnny Depp Tastes Like Frogs' Legs

At the Tokyo, Japan premiere of his latest movie, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Johnny Depp was asked to consider what he would taste like if he was a real life cannibal. Depp's answer: "Frogs' legs," and adding he would taste a little bitter. "I would suggest deep frying," the actor said with amusement. Director Tim Burton pondered his answer for a while before coming to the conclusion of chicken, but producer Richard D. Zanuck did not hesitate with his response: "Shark!" the producer exclaimed enthusiastically, laughing. The trio said this at a press conference in front of 600 media. More than 6,000 fans were at the premiere.

Three very enthusiastic Japanese fans. (AP)

Depp and Burton were also asked about what they thought of the Golden Globes Awards ceremony being cancelled this year, due to a writers' strike.

"I'm just torn into pieces about it. I feel really disappointed," he said, grinning, while Burton added: "I'm just happy. I don't have to make a trip to Los Angeles. That's all I feel."

Sweeney Todd was nominated for Best Picture (musical or comedy), Johnny Depp for Best Actor, Helena Bonham Carter for Best Actress, and Tim Burton for Best Director.

Sweeney Todd's Tokyo premiere took place on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008. The film will be released throughout Japan on January 19th, 2008.

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp at the Tokyo premiere.
(AP/Katsumi Kasahara)


(AP/Katsumi Kasahara)

For Depp, There Are Films, and There Are Tim Burton Films

For Johnny Depp, there are films and there are Tim Burton films. In an interview by Reuters, Depp, promoting Burton and Depp's sixth collaboration, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (which A. O. Scott of the New York Times has called ""something close to a masterpiece"), describes how he always looks forward to working with his director friend. "There are films that you do that you have enjoyed and the process is fantastic and the directors are great," says Depp. "And then there are the phone calls that you get from Tim," added the now 44-year-old actor. "That is a magical moment for me when the phone rings from Tim, because you know you are about to embark on something very very interesting."

Although Depp has been in the acting business for over twenty years, he recalls his latest collaboration with Burton -- taking on the lead, singing role of the murderous barber of Fleet Street -- as being one of his biggest challenges in his career. "It's an obtuse situation to be in when, at the ripe old age of 43, you find yourself suddenly trying to sing songs all the way through for the first time in your life," says Depp. "It's to say the least absurd and it was an odd feeling. So initially just hearing myself doing it, I was embarrassed..." But despite being "no Sammy Davis, Jr." or "no Frank Sinatra," Depp got the part as Sweeney Todd, with Stephen Sondheim's ultimate approval.

Tim Burton also fondly speaks of his many partnerships with Depp, although he feels that each film with the actor is a different experience.

"I've worked with him six times. I feel like I've worked with six different people," Burton said. "There are a lot of people that really do a very good job maintaining their persona ... they are good at being themselves in a movie. I like character actors that like to become different people, that's what energises me."

Depp and Burton at the Tokyo, Japan premiere of Sweeney Todd on January 9th, 2008.
Reuters/Michael Caronna

Burton and Depp first collaborated on Edward Scissorhands in 1990. Since then, they made Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and the animated film Corpse Bride (2005).

40 Minute Tim Burton Video Interview

A new episode of "Lunch with David," starring David Poland, has been put on the Internet. In it, Tim Burton is interviewed. The filmmaker discusses cinematography, Sweeney Todd, his own style, and much, much more. The video is nearly 40 minutes long and very informative. Click here! (BEWARE OF SPOILERS!)