'Sweeney' Depp's razor play

Dec 2, 2006, 8:00 GMT

Johnny Depp -© Photorazzi

Johnny Depp has been preparing for his role as demonic barber Sweeney Todd by practicing his razor skills at home.

The actor has become so obsessed with playing the murderous character he is spending hours on end pretending to cut imaginary throats.

A source said: "Johnny is always very conscientious in his roles. For this part he has to get into the mind of a serial killer. He wants to feel adept with the razor blades, to feel as if they were an extension of his arm."

However, Depp's method acting techniques are said to have left his long-term partner Vanessa Paradis and their children, four-year-old Jack and Lily-Rose, seven, slightly scared.

The source added: "He's terrifying everyone by walking around his home booming out the song 'My Friends', while making an arc with his arm as if he were slitting a person's throat. Sweeney calls his razors his 'friends' and in this song the demon barber admits his love to his blades."

Shooting of the musical film - which also stars Helena Bonham Carter and will be directed by her long-term lover Tim Burton - is set to begin in January, in London.

It is the just the latest in a long line of projects Depp and Burton have worked on together. Their previous films include 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

(C) BANG Media International