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Why Johnny Depp worried about being fired from Alice in Wonderland
Johnny Depp made a dramatic switch to play the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland after starring in this summer's historical crime drama Public Enemies, in which he played real-life gangster John Dillinger.
"The Hatter was awfully fun," Depp said in a news conference on Monday in Beverly Hills, Calif. "After doing something like John Dillinger, a performance where it's somewhat restrained because of the responsibility you have to that guy and his memory, that Mad Hatter was like being fired out of a cannon. The Hatter was great fun, and, again, it's one of those things that you're just amazed you weren't fired. I truly am."
Depp plays the Mad Hatter in Burton's vision of the Lewis Carroll tale. Combining practical costumes, motion capture and 3-D computer animation, Burton is adding new levels to an aesthetic that already bears his name, "Burton-esque." USA Today published photos of the characters, including Depp's Hatter.
With orange frizzy curls, pasty porcelain makeup, a frilly black top hat and goth-y circus touches, the Hatter looks exactly as Depp said he intended. "All I've seen, I've just seen the little bits and pieces of it, but, yeah, what I ended up looking like is how I thought he was going to look, how I thought he should look, which was one of the first reasons why I'm surprised I didn't get fired," Depp said.
It's not the first time Depp expressed surprise at keeping a job: He also thought he'd be fired from the first Pirates of the Caribbean film because of studio disagreements with his portrayal of Jack Sparrow.
Alice in Wonderland is due in theaters March 5, 2010. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice.
(Click the image below for a full-size version of Depp as the Hatter.)
By hearmeroar1313 at 7:20 AM ON 06/23/09
Johnny Depp is one of if not the best actoe of this generation. He is good in every film he has made.
By smidgiesmom at 7:43 AM ON 06/23/09
That is the coolest makeup ever! Of course Johnny would play the part though - a Tim Burton movie like this without him would be unheard of!
By Jana Morrell at 7:46 AM ON 06/23/09
I don't think Johnny Depp has anything to worry about. He is a brilliant actor and great human being. He is just doing the one thing that he loves to do and that is to make movies. I love this man.
By Eva at 8:49 AM ON 06/23/09
Depp is way too overrated, but I still like his performances. His look is fantastic, I can't wait for the film.
By noggy999 at 8:55 AM ON 06/23/09
Now I'll have to go buy a Mad Hatter statue to go with my Sparrow and Sweenie and willie.
By LB at 9:21 AM ON 06/23/09
Can't wait to see him in the movie. He is just great and my children love him!!!!!
By Paul B. at 9:31 AM ON 06/23/09
Okay, I'm a straight 38-year-old with no fashion sense...but I really want that bow tie! And I HATE bow ties!
I'm a semi-fan of Burton, think Depp is awesome, and I'm looking forward to this film...with some doubts, since Burton's last few haven't thrilled me.
By DTD at 9:48 AM ON 06/23/09
Overrated?? Are you kidding me? He is probably the best actor that you will ever see. Depp can portray just about any character you throw at him. He turned Jack Sparrow into an icon, he gave Willy Wonka a dark side and he will definately give a whole new dimension to the Mad Hatter.
By greenvilljustice at 10:06 AM ON 06/23/09
lets face it he is a shinning star, he gives so much to the charcetors that it is his spirit that gives each film that he does the magical feeling. with his input to the film he is doing also makes the pulbic want to come and be part of the film makers world. KEEP ROCKING JHONNY. YOUR THE BEST.
By ponygirl at 10:07 AM ON 06/23/09
Overated???!!! This young gentleman is underated.Should be known as the finest actor of this generation..class..skill..expertise, imagination and......humility. He is heads above the rest!! A TRUE actor.
By Sunflower1 at 10:16 AM ON 06/23/09
I agree he is a good actor. Something that does come to mind is that he seems so utterly lonely. He's by himself. Almost as if he is a martyr. Is this a side of him that shows through from real life?
By mbealmear at 10:49 AM ON 06/23/09
I cannot believe that Pirates of the Carribean would have ever CONSIDERED firing him! His portrale of Jack Sparrow MADE those movies what they were...and people went to see them, to see Depp!!
It is not suprising that he is in another Tim Burton movie...he is by far the best man for the job..he is a brilliant actor and performer and I cannot imagine this movie without him. I cannot wait to see this movie, and to see Depp in action for another Burton movie!!
By chickie at 10:49 AM ON 06/23/09
johnny is kind of like james dean he is the new king of ACTORS
By Honeybee at 10:56 AM ON 06/23/09
Woah! What a "look" he has given this character! I totally agree that Depp is the best actor of our generation and I simply cannot understand how he has lost the Oscar three times. He was totally robbed when he was nominated for Captain Jack and Sean Penn won. What does Johnny have to do? Run around over-emoting, chewing the scenery with his hair on fire? I can't wait to see "Public Enemies" and am so bummed that I have to wait almost a year for "Alice."
By nimaly83 at 11:07 AM ON 06/23/09
Can't wait for the movie to come out in theaters. Johnny is my favorite actor, he is so down to earth.
By Barbara1874 at 11:21 AM ON 06/23/09
Mr. Depp has not received the accolades that he truly deserves. I agree with chickie he really is the new king of actors and it is disappointing that his peers do not recognize this when it comes to award time.
He is really true to his profession.
By dani at 11:44 AM ON 06/23/09
love everything johnny depp does hes amazing and twisted and a very nice guy when they where here in crown point shooting public enemy"s he made sure to come greet people every night even when the producers told him not to AND THATS WHY WE LOVE JOHNNY !!!
By sandra at 11:57 AM ON 06/23/09
Johnny has deserved the oscar for years. My favorite movie of all times was "Benny & Joon" My grandchildren love this movie also we watch it 2 or 3 times a year. Rent it and you will love Johnny in it also.
By Tekzel at 12:17 PM ON 06/23/09
The thought that the studios had issues with how Depp portrayed Captain Jack Sparrow is hilarious to me. His portrayal absolutely made the movies. They would have been a pale shadow of what they were without it. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the second one, I liked it because of Sparrow.
Johnny Depp is probably one of the best character actors to ever grace the silver screen. He certainly is, in my ever so humble opinion, the best one working today that I have seen. He truly was made for what he does.
By tvavages at 12:29 PM ON 06/23/09
Has anyone ever noticed that Johnny Depp and James Dean have the same initials? I like that he's exotic looking. I'm a big fan!
By HighWiredSith at 1:25 PM ON 06/23/09
Okay - the makeup is a little freaky and little too drag frankly - the gap in the teeth, yellow eyes, weird (maybe it's dead on, who knows). Since Depp managed to conjure the spirit of the career dead Michael Jackson for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory you gotta wonder what he's come up with for the even more begging for Burton to make a film of it Alice in Wonderland.
By Shelgirl001 at 6:41 PM ON 06/23/09
Johnny Depp is going to be absolutely awesome in this movie just as he has been in the others he has been in. I have been waiting on pins and needles for "Public Enemies" to come out, and now this will not be out until March 2010. I am sooo looking forward to the next Pirates movie, too, along with his others he is working on. I absolutely LOVE the make up in the pictures!!! He is the best actor ever!!
By makinitgreat at 10:19 PM ON 06/23/09
After reading that Tim Burton was making the Alice in Wonderland I figured that Johnny Depp would either play the roll of the Mad Hatter or that crazy wild Cat. Either of these would be great for this actor. I wonder who they got to play the cat or if that part will be animated.
By Depp Fan at 11:14 PM ON 06/23/09
I work for a Johnny Depp impersonator who can pull off any look Johnny does, but I am SO not looking forward to seeing him like this...however, I know he'll do it. Guess I better start shopping for props......
By Mandy at 5:05 AM ON 06/24/09
Johnny Depp need never fear being fired, especially from a Tim Burton film. You know Tim Burton would never allow that to happen to him. Besides, you can't blame an actor for how a director and make up artist have you look. The comment is just to draw attention.
Depp is brilliant. Tim Burton is brilliant. This film will be fantastic. And I can't wait for Dark Shadows.
By jdreamer at 12:25 PM ON 06/24/09
To the overrated comment. I'm quoting you as saying - Depp is way too overrated, but I still like his performances. His look is fantastic, I can't wait for the film - ok, aren't you contradicting yourself calling him overrated then saying you enjoy him and he's fantastic? His brilliance as an actor has garnered him the rating he has endured for years.
By Megan at 12:52 AM ON 06/28/09
better than brad pitt on any given day, in any given movie.
By nicole at 2:15 PM ON 07/27/09
thou i've never seen alice in wonderland...iam looking foward to it.
johnny depp you are turely an amazing actor(:
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nicole:
thou i've never seen alice in wonderland...iam looking foward to it. johnny depp you are turely an amazing actor(:...More »