Johnny Depp Enters “Alice In Wonderland” as Mad Hatter

Johnny Depp will play kids’ favourite The Mad Hatter in a new film version of Alice In Wonderland.The film, which will be shot in 3D, sees Depp teaming up yet again with director pal Tim Burton.

Burton made Depp a household name after handing him the title role in quirky hit Edward Scissorhands in 1990. The Pirates of The Caribbean actor has since starred in several of the eccentric director’s flicks, including Sweeney Todd and Ed Wood. But the Alice project is said to be their most tantalizing yet.

A source said:

“Tim has had designs on ‘Alice in Wonderland’ since before he was famous.

“He has a knack for turning what seems like stories for just kids into gripping, spooky fables loved just as much by adults.

“He’s held out on doing ‘Alice’ until he got a big enough budget. Now this film is financed by Disney so money won’t be a problem.”

The movie - which is scheduled for release in 2010 - will be the seventh time Johnny and Tim have worked together. Read the rest of this entry

“Gonzo: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson”

From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.

A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson’s life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell’s Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.Trailer after the jump.

“Gonzo: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson” opens July 4th in theaters. [Hunters Thompson Movie]

Watch the trailer after jump Read the rest of this entry

More Pictures From ‘Public Enemies’: Johnny Depp as Dillinger

AICN has some pictures of Johnny Depp as Dillinger, robbing a bank with a Thompson and looking spiffy doing it.

More photos here

‘Sweeney Todd’ star quit school for film

One of the young stars of musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has revealed that he quit his A-Levels to appear in the film.

Newcomer Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays sailor Anthony Hope in the Tim Burton production, said he had auditioned for the part while he was preparing for his exams.

He said: “My plan was to go back and finish my A-Levels, but I didn’t.”

He added that he now works in a shop while auditioning for new roles, adding: “It’s a really nice shop. It’s cool to do that, I guess.”

Co-star Ed Sanders, who is still at school, said he was “looking forward” to returning to his normal life.

The movie, which stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman, opens in UK cinemas on January 25.

Depp rules out more musical roles

Johnny Depp has ruled out starring in any more musicals following his role in new movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The 44-year-old sings for the first time onscreen as a murderous barber in the Tim Burton film, which won two awards at Sunday’s Golden Globes.

He appeared in John Waters’ musical Cry-Baby early in his career, but said it “was only half of me” because his voice was dubbed.

The actor said: “Tim’s the only person brave enough to let me try to sing. It was the first time I’d sung. I’d never even sung in the shower, I’d be too mortified.”

He added that the experience was “kind of enjoyable” when he had overcome his initial fear, saying: “[Composer] Stephen Sondheim’s melodies and lyrics were a real pleasure to chop around in, there was some really beautiful stuff.”

However, when asked if he would consider lending his vocal talents to another musical, he responded: “No.”

Depp recently revealed that he would like to perform a duet with Barry Manilow.

Bale Joins Depp In ‘Public Enemy’

I think the phrase we’re looking for here is “huminahuminahumina”, as it’s been announced that Christian Bale is in talks to join Johnny Depp in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies. This is exciting for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that we’ll finally get to judge who has the sharpest cheekbones between the two of them without having to set up two widescreen TVs next to each other. Not that we’ve done that ever. Ahem.

The film’s the story of legendary bank robbery John Dillinger (Depp) and the huge FBI hunt for him, led by Agent Melvin Purvis, who Bale is set to play. So it’s very much home turf for Mann, even though in this case the 1930s setting takes this a little way away from his usual stomping ground.

 The film apparently already has a locked script, as it’s due to start shooting in March. And no, there’s no word yet on whether it will make reference to the most famous legend about Dillinger, the one that survived long after his criminal exploits had been forgotten, the one that the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC still gets calls about every year - that he was, um, endowed to the tune of over 15 inches. It’s an urban myth anyway, people, so don’t go expecting a Dirk Diggler like finale.