The much-anticipated film Sweeney Todd just keeps getting better and better. Tim Burton is collaborating again with Johnny Depp, which is usually a good thing (minus Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…I’m sorry but that stunk) and now Alan Rickman has joined the cast. He will play Judge Turpin, the man who makes immoral rulings while slamming down his gavel.

Filmstalker reports that Rickman (Harry Potter’s Snape) will play a bad guy in the film, causing Todd to lose his family and prompting a vicious revenge campaign.

To give a little backstory: Sweeney Todd is inspired by the hit Broadway musical about a barber/serial killer who uses razors to slice his victim’s throats. Understandably, it can get pretty nasty—especially for a musical. If you’re looking for a joyous “the hills are alive…” type of experience, you should probably look elsewhere.

The film is currently in pre-production and will shoot early next year.