BB's Andy was invited by Paramount to cover the forthcoming release of Tim Burton's 'Sweeney Todd' starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Burton and Alan Rickman
This has been syndicated all over the place but, what excites Bonham-Carter fan Duke is that the article is featured on her the English rose's offical website:
http://www.helena-world.com/?p=334
Interviews: Depp, Burton, Carter and Rickman Slash Through Sweeney Todd!
from IESB.net, November 26, 2007
by Andy Duke
The London press day for Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd was held today. Set to open on Christmas, Sweeney Todd stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sasha Baron Cohen.
IESB’s Andy Duke attended the roundtable interviews with Burton, Depp, Carter and Rickman and had a few interesting quotes to share. Complete transcripts are coming soon but here are the highlights!
Johnny Depp was asked about his shaving lessons he took along with Baron Cohen to help prepare for his character of the Demon Barber. “He [Cohen] still has scars on his back,” was his reply.
Tim Burton says about Depp, “he would do anything for me apart from ballet.” Depp quickly jumped in, “that’s not true - I would be happy to learn ballet.” Laughter filled the press room.
Although daunted at the prospect of making his on screen musical debut, Depp took the preparation process in stride. “I had no idea if I could sing or not and recorded some demos at a friend’s studio and sent them in to Tim Burton as my audition.”
And to say that Burton was hard to impress would be an understatement. Helena Bonham Carter said she had to audition for her part in the film. “I had to wait five weeks before he gave me feedback (regarding her singing audition).”
On being asked about this process with Helena, Burton’s comment got a big laugh, “that sounds really sleazy.”
Although reticent to discuss Harry Potter, Alan Rickman laughed about the recent rumor of a JK Rowling inspired musical; “who is shoving that around?” He further informed the IESB that there is an online porn version of the franchise making the rounds. (Harry Pooter is my vote for the title)
With a slasher musical like Sweeney Todd, it’s going to be interesting to see how the film fares in terms of Yule-tide competition at the box office.
Rickman commented, “it is the jolly Christmas option” for punters. He has two independent films due for release in January – “Bottle Shock” and “Nobel Son”.
Helena also has some big projects in store, she is due to have her second child with partner Tim Burton in two weeks time and said she’ll be “breast feeding in time for the filming of Harry Potter 6 in February 2008.”
When asked about the HP franchise she commented, “it’s made me very popular with kids although they all seem to be scared of me.”
Bohnam-Carter laughed about her ‘baby bump’, pointed to it and said, “we shag a lot.”
She also said about her on screen singing debut in Sweeney Todd – “it’s a tall order to learn to sing in three months.”
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is unleashed on Christmas Day!
http://www.helena-world.com/?p=334