A couple of stills from Tim Burton's update of Stephen Sondheim's
Sweeney Todd set to be released in January 2008, have been making the
internet rounds. Theoretically I'm ambivalent about the project — it's in keeping with a
current trend of remaking classics I'm
generally skeptical about. But never mind. Some women I'd go see in an animated musical about a maggot-infested corpse rising from the grave in a quest to become a bride (er, hang on), and one of them is Helena Bonham Carter. Here's a still from
Sweeney Todd:
Yep, that's Johnny Depp with the straight razor. And I already love the Burtonesque feel to the set. If you're not familiar with this project, Burton, Depp, and Carter have reunited to remake the tale of madness, murder, and suspiciously delicious meat pies. Carter will be adding yet another demented female role to her resume as Mrs. Lovett, the woman whose meat pies become the toast (pastry?) of London with the addition of a very special secret ingredient. You know, the one that made the BBQ so fine in
Fried Green Tomatoes.
But my admiration for Carter goes far beyond her penchant for quirky roles in some of my most beloved movies. Take
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Although the film itself doesn't quite make my A list (liked it, though), Bellatrix LeStrange is certainly one of my favorite villains ever, and Carter was perfection beyond words in the role. The black leather, cleavage and crackling greenish magic would be enough to remind us why crazy is a good look on Carter. But then there's her hair. Now that surely took a truly magical touch.
Actually, I've always been a fan of Carter's hair, which seems to be nearly as versatile as her acting chops:
So we can at least look forward to that. Besides Depp and Carter, the cast is stacked with heavy hitters. To name a few: Alan Rickman, Anthony Head (Giles!), and Sacha Baron Cohen. (Yes, of
Borat fame. I can't speak to Cohen, since I can't bring myself to sit down to watch that. But maybe some of you have.)
Christopher Lee was signed on as a ghost, but unfortunately his character was
axed a couple of months ago. Still, I think I'll be heading for the theater for this one. And perhaps I'll finally be able to forgive Burton the remake of
Willy Wonka. Perhaps.
Never Forget. Never Forgive.
I was a little skeptical
I was a little skeptical about this at first, and still am, but I'm putting my blind faith in hoping they do it justice. I was pissed at first that they didn't cast actual trained singers, because Sweeney is one of my (many) fanatical Broadway obsessions, but now I'm sort of seeing more of what Burton is going for. I think it should do okay.
Helena, however, I know will be amazing. She is to date, my favorite Ophelia that I've ever seen (and believe me, having played that role myself a couple years ago, I've seen many. :P). Every time I watch that Hamlet, I just cry and cry and cry. She is breathtaking.
Up until the punching, it was a real nice party...
Helena.
I cannot even begin to say how much I respect and adore Helena Bonhan Carter - it's been going on for years now. Years, I tell you, years. She's an artist if I ever saw one.
Karman, you gotta watch this interview with her, it's split in two. I promise you won't be disappointed (duh, it's Helena). The accent! The hair! The boots! The laughter! The Everything. And she is a total blast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQdSrv1SczE
Carter and Depp are perferct for this.
Hmmm
Epic or Disaster?
Considering the people involved, it could be either. I don't remember either Bonham Carter nor Depp being great singers and Sweeney Todd IS a musical. In fact, because there's not a lot of spoken dialogue it's almost an opera.
And it's one of my favorite musicals, I'm really anxious about how it's going to turn out. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see. They're going to have to go some to even compare to George Hearn and Angela Lansbury.
Peace, Joy and Love
Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter stamping her foot in a period dress, I’m there.
Helena...
Painfully hot
Not trying to trivialize Helena's incredible acting abilities, I've always been in awe...but she's one of those women who truly drives me crazy with her looks alone. Those pictures you posted will not leave my brain, I promise you. She's so incredibly hot I can't stand it. Those eyes, that bone structure, her lips, that crazy hair. Why must she top it off by always wearing crazy yet sexy clothing? I think I have a thing for eccentric older women who I wouldn't be at all compatible with...
The movie may be a tad too bloody for me...I'm a weenie...
www.myspace.com/emmahuntermusic
Helena!
I first saw her in Fight Club, and now thats one of my most favorite movies ever. I loved Marla in that!
She was great in Harry Potter too... she'd convince me to join Voldemort in an instant ^_^
Carter plays such great unstable, mildly insane characters.
I can't tell you how excited I am about this new movie...Burton, Depp and Carter and a twisted Victorian film is just too much to ask for.
Respect for HBC notwithstanding
Doesn't anyone find it a little freaky how incredibly LOOK ALIKE she and Tim Burton are, esp in the hair depatment?
http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/07/04/26_timburton_lgl.jpg
i heart helena
i agree with that ophelia comment. that's where i first saw her and ever since, i was hooked on helena. wish i saw more of her in harry, though.
i think she could carry the singing so let's give her a chance. i hope tim burton knows what he's doing with this one, though. his oompa loompas gave me the creeps to this day!
It kind of helps...
Y'know it kind of helps that Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter are married and have a son together.
Definitely
I've loved Helena Bonham Carter since Fight Club.
And she made an awesome Ophelia.
Me Too
But since that movie, I realized I had seen her previous works.. and couldn't believe how I missed her.
She is THE woman for Tim Burton's outrageous movies just like Johnny Depp being the Actor for his movies.
I cannot wait for this.. definately one to keep an eye on :]
A MUST SEE: an awfully
A MUST SEE: an awfully young Helena as Lucy Honeychurch in 'A Room With a View'. She is so wonderfully demure, you may find it difficult to believe it is the same person.
Alice.