In another cynical grab-for-cash, there are two new DVD versions of The Princess Bride just released. The "Dread Pirate Edition", or the "Buttercup Edition"; they're the same content but with a different cover (and presumably, picture on the disc). The extras are what you get on the "Special Edition" dvd, plus a new featurette called, "Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Legend of the Seven Seas" mockumentary.

...Can Johnny Depp sing? I mean, if they're making a non-musical version, I'm fine with that - I've seen the non-musical version of Sweeney Todd, and it contains an awful lot of the greatness - but the article seemed to imply that it was based on the musical. With musicals so big these days, that wouldn't surprise me...

But is Johnny Depp a bass/baritone?

Also, I hope they don't focus too much on the current stage version that's getting rave reviews for the movie - somehow, I don't think the device of having the actors also be the orchestra would work on film. I'm sure Burton knows that, however, so I have little fear in THAT regard, at least.

...Can Johnny Depp sing?

Well, he used to be in a band, but I only ever saw him play guitar when he was a teenager.

...Can Johnny Depp sing?

I'm 99% sure that I remember he was dubbed by another singer for CRY-BABY (I know Amy Locane was because it was Rachel Sweet who did her singing), but I have not idea if that means he can sing of not.

I guess they could dub Johnny in Sweeney Todd. That feels so 1950s musical though.

A few years ago, the rumor was that Russell Crowe was going to be Sweeney. My mind's version of Sweeney (the character) is more of the burly type, so I think I prefer that casting choice over Depp--they were probably going to dub the singing, either way.

I just hope the movie gets made eventually, since it has so many wonderful songs! The Carnegie Hall salute to Sondheim from the early '90s has a heartrendingly beautiful version of "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" that ends with a note that is worth the cost of the entire CD to hear.

Depp is obviously a busy man

I just hope the movie gets made eventually, since it has so many wonderful songs!

I'm a big fan of the 1982 version -- not actually a movie, just a filmed performance from the National Tour, so it preserves all the wonderful staging. (And of course, Angela Lansbury's performance. And George Hearn's, except that for years I thought he was Len Cariou, because I was going by the cast listed on my soundtrack CD, and never bothered to notice that the original Broadway cast wasn't the same as the 1982 National Tour cast. Oops.)

Casting Depp makes it sound like they're aiming for something closer to the current Broadway production. Not necessarily the cast-as-orchestra thing (which, IMO, doesn't even work on stage), but the minimalist-goth aesthetic. Could work.

James Intveldt was the singer for Depp in Cry-Baby -- I have the soundtrack, especially for the wowzo Sweet singing, but he's damn good, too.

James Intveldt was the singer for Depp in Cry-Baby -- I have the soundtrack, especially for the wowzo Sweet singing, but he's damn good, too.

Please mister jailer...