Variety reports that the National Board of Review has named Tim Burton “Best Director” for his film adaptation of the gothic musical SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The NBR, comprised of film educators and other industry professionals not part of the studio system, puts out its annual Top Ten list each December. While the Western NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN received “Best Picture” honors, SWEENEY TODD did make the NBR’s Top Ten Films of 2007 list, too.
Meanwhile, just hours before the New York City premiere of SWEENEY TODD, star Johnny Depp announced he would go from “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” to ruthless gangster John Dillenger for director Michael Mann (MANHUNTER) in PUBLIC ENEMIES. Based on Bryan Burrough’s 2004 non-fiction account of the crime waves of 1933-34 carried out by such notorious figures as Dillenger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd, the film rolls March 10 on location in Chicago.