Johnny Depp shared unpublished details about the casting process for the famous film Tim Burton, The young scissorhands (1990), in a recent docuseries focused on the filmmaker that recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
The actor of Pirates in the Caribbean recalled how celebrities ranging from Tom Hanks to Michael Jackson They showed their interest in starring in the film.
However, it was Tom Cruisewho was around 28 years old when the footage was filmed, who was “not far from playing Edward,” Depp confirmed with a blunt “True story.”
During that time, Depp was a teenage icon who was part of the main cast of the late ’80s television series, 21 Jump Street. And although success smiled on him, he felt that he had to look for other projects that would distance him from the image of a handsome, serious and heroic young man in which he saw himself pigeonholed.
The show ran for five seasons, but he confessed that he was doing “the best he could” to get fired. In fact, the decision to accept the role of a carefree and rebellious man in Cry babydirected by John Waters, was crucial, as it allowed him to “make fun” of the character he had become stuck on.
About the script The young scissorhands, Depp said he felt a deep emotional connection as soon as he read it: “it cut through everything, anything, solid and got to the very core of who I am.” And he added “The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful. What attracted me emotionally was that Edward was me. “It was exactly what I should be doing.”
But facing Cruise and other industry heavyweights initially discouraged Depp, leading him to consider not appearing before Burton for a casting, as he did not believe he had a chance of being chosen.
“He will never cast me when everyone in Hollywood is after the role.” He even considered canceling the meeting, but his agent wouldn’t let him, saying, “Are you fucking crazy?”
Ultimately, Depp agreed to meet with the filmmaker, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. Together, they created not only The young scissorhandsbut also other emblematic films such as The bride’s corpse, Sweeney Todd: The Barber and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
In addition to Johnny Depp, Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega are some of the stars participating in the new documentary series about Burton, released on the night of June 10 and still without a definitive title. The production, which consists of four parts, is directed by Tara Wood.
“In the making of this documentary, Tim’s creative family, a group of creative geniuses, welcomed me with open hearts and enthusiasm to share their deep knowledge of Tim’s unique and magical world,” Wood said in a recent interview in Cannes. .
The official description of the Tribeca Festival states: “Follow Tim Burton’s dream journey into the themes and relationships that shape his work, from the misunderstood monster to the dichotomy between darkness and light and the magic of collaboration with other ‘outsiders’ like Winona Ryder, Helena Bonham Carter and more.”
Danny Elfman, Burton’s frequent composer, also appears; as well as Derek Frey, producer of several of the director’s films, including Dumbo, Miss Peregrine and the peculiar children, Frankenweenie and The bride’s corpseamong others.
The project has not yet found a distributor, but according to Liz Tang, Fifth Season executive, they are currently looking for a company willing to invest, given that it is expected to receive a great reception from the public due to the relevance of the central character.
