Sweeney Todd set for national release for
holidays

This holiday season the nation will be able to see Johnny Depp on the silver screen in Sweeney Todd. DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures have decided to do a wide release of the film, as opposed to a limited release in December followed by national screenings in January, Variety reports.

Tim Burton's film adaptation of the Steven Sondheim musical was previously set for a staggered release because of its less commercial nature--the story line is somewhat dark. In that case, there would have been more of a chance for the movie to build momentum toward the wide release.

According to the article, however, DreamWorks executives saw in the film a broader appeal that made it marketable for the holiday movie season.

Depp plays a revenge-seeking barber trying to avenge his family's murders. (The Advocate)