Johnny Depp has been cast in a movie version of the musical Sweeney Todd, according to an announcement just released by DreamWorks execs.

Of course if you've been reading Cinema Blend you already know about Depp in Sweeney Todd. We reported months ago that he'd be re-teaming with Tim Burton for the singing, dancing, throat slitter. The mainstream media is just getting around to picking it up.

What's new is that he still needs final approval from composer Stephen Sondheim before he can get the gig. Ananova says he's headed in for voice tests this week to get exactly that.

Actually, that's kind of interesting. I can't remember ever having heard of any other composer doing something like that before allowing Hollywood to filmize his work. If Sonheim has that kind of control, maybe that bodes well for this particular musical. It's been a few years since we've had a good one. I guess not since Chicago right?

There's no way to know if Sweeney Todd will be any good, but with Depp and Burton on board it'll certainly be different. Expect it in theaters by 2008.