'Sweeney Todd' Trailer: Is it so bad to be a musical?

But aside from a street scene with Johnny Depp sort of sing-talking to passers-by, then drawing out the lyrics "I will have vengeance, I will have salvaaaation," you'd be forgiven for thinking that this was another weird Burton drama with another weird turn from Depp, who boasts a white skunk streak in his bushy mane. Not that this is an outright musical with more sung-through dialogue than most Sondheim productions.

Of course, Sweeney Todd is not the only movie musical to soft-pedal its musical nature in trailers. To varying degrees, recent adaptations of Broadway hits like Chicago, Rent, Dreamgirls, and even Joel Schumacher's Phantom of the Opera have downplayed their song-and-dance aspect.

Why do you think the studios are still so shy when it comes to promoting musicals?