Tempted by 'Todd'
WB, D'Works sweet on 'Sweeney'
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Stephen Sondheim musical thriller revolves around the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, who is wrongfully imprisoned only to later seek revenge on the judge who sent him up the river.
Tim Burton will direct and Johnny Depp star in the duo's sixth collaboration.
Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Richard Zanuck and John Logan are producing from a script by Logan. Zanuck has produced several of Burton's movies, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Big Fish."
Warners' decision to co-produce and co-finance with DreamWorks reflects the studio's strong relationship with Burton. It also brings the project full circle.
Film version of the hit Broadway musical was first set up at Warners well over a decade ago, with Burton attached to direct. DreamWorks picked up the project when Burton fell off, and Sam Mendes came aboard to develop the film with Logan.
DreamWorks kicked "Sweeney Todd" into high gear in June, when Burton became available after Par put his "Ripley's Believe It or Not" on hold amid concerns over budget and the creative direction.
Likewise, Depp's schedule opened up when director Peter Weir ankled Warners' "Shantaram."Musical is set to begin shooting in early February at Pinewood Studios near London. "Sweeney Todd" producers said rehearsals and pre-recordings will begin in November and December.
DreamWorks -- which produced the upcoming musical "Dreamgirls"--and Warners are eyeing a late 2007 release.
