Depp’s ‘Sweeney’ singing didn’t worry Burton

updated 2:21 p.m. ET Jan. 2, 2008

LONDON - “The Sound of Music” with blood. That’s how Tim Burton describes his latest film, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

The movie, based on the Stephen Sondheim musical about a murderous barber, stars Johnny Depp as the title character and Helena Bonham Carter, whose character serves the barber’s victims up in her meat pies.

Burton says he didn’t worry about whether Depp could sing.

“I worry about a lot of things but I strangely did not fear that at all,” the 49-year-old director told reporters recently, according to AP Radio. “He exceeded my expectation.”

Burton also said Bonham Carter, his romantic partner, didn’t pressure him for a role in the movie.

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“She’s been an actress for a long time. She gets the whole picture,” he said. “She was very good about not overpressuring me because she knew I was probably putting that all on myself anyway.”

Bonham Carter, 41, recently gave birth to the couple’s second child, a girl. They also have a 4-year-old son, Billy. She has worked with Burton in several other films, including “Planet of the Apes” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

“Sweeney Todd” has Golden Globe nominations for best musical or comedy, best director for Burton, and acting nominations for Depp and Bonham Carter.

Burton said he isn’t thinking about possible Oscar nominations.

“The joy for me has been the film,” he said. “I feel lucky to have the opportunity to do this particular project with these particular people. So for me, that’s the reward that I get.”

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