Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Johnny Depp proves a cut aboven at premiere of 'Sweeney Todd'

Jerome Taylor
Friday 11 January 2008 01:00 GMT
Comments
(ASSOSIATED PRESS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hollywood's most rock 'n' roll movie star, Johnny Depp, flew into London to wow the crowds at last night's premiere of Tim Burton's latest Gothic creation, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Depp, 44, stars as the fictional 19th-century serial killer alongside Helena Bonham Carter, who was also in Leicester Square for the premiere last night.

Burton's latest blood-splattered offering, a screen version of Stephen Sondheim's popular musical, is almost entirely sung and is the sixth time the Californian director has worked with Depp. The two have built up a firm friendship over nearly 20 years of making films together, which have included edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Part of the reason for their successful partnerships is that they both have a love of the Gothic and the macabre. Critics in the US have compared Sweeney Todd favourably with Sleepy Hollow, Burton's 1999 homage to the American legend of the headless horseman, in which Depp starred as the detective Ichabod Crane.

Depp's role as the merciless Sweeney Todd is the second time the star has acted in a film about serial killers in 19th-century London. In 2001 he was in Albert Hughes's Jack the Ripper horror From Hell

Sweeney Todd has already notched up four Golden Globe nominations and is tipped for Oscar glory.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in