Articles from May 2005



Pirates on the move! Shooting of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels shifts from Dominica to the Bahamas

The cast and crew of Gore Verbinski’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST and the still unsubtitled POTC 3 have completed their work on the island of Dominica. The production now shifts to the new Gold Rock Creek Studios on Grand Bahama, where a state-of-the-art water tank is nearing completion. The PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels are scheduled to shoot on Grand Bahama throughout June and July, take a break during August, and then resume filming from September through December of this year. The Zone thanks emma and Reemi for keeping us updated on the news from the Caribbean.

Johnny Depp to pay for Gonzo memorial cannon tower; Hunter S. Thompson funeral to be private, not public

A memorial service for the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson will be held on his farm in Woody Creek, Colorado on August 20, 2005–the six-month anniversary of his death. However, earlier plans to have the event open to the public have been cancelled. Naomi Havlen of the Aspen Times reports, “The invitation-only event includes erecting a 150-foot-tall structure with a cannon on top of it. According to Thompson’s wishes, his cremated remains will be shot out of the cannon onto his property.”

Johnny Depp, who starred in the film of Hunter’s classic FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, is paying for the construction of the tower, which will resemble Hunter’s Gonzo logo–a fist clutching a peyote button. The cannon tower, which will be temporary and not a permanent part of the landscape, will be 12 feet wide at its base and 8 feet wide at the top, and as tall as a five-story building. Havlen adds that the tower will be constructed 1,000 feet from Woody Creek Road so it doesn’t become a tourist attraction. Jon Equis, the event producer working with the Thompson family to plan the memorial, said that the tower will be covered with a black drape until it is unveiled for the funeral service, to keep the “looky Lous” from congregating on the roadway. Equis added that the public is being discouraged from even coming to the area for the funeral. A public celebration of Hunter S. Thompson’s life is planned for a later date.

For guests with invitations to the memorial service, a tented area will be set up on Owl Farm, and the evening will consist of “spoken word and live entertainment,” Equis said. Plans are to fire the cannon around the time the sun is setting, so that Thompson’s family and friends can see his ashes dispersing on the property before it is too dark. The memorial is scheduled to begin around 7 p.m. on August 20th and last until 1 a.m.

The Zone thanks gilly, moo, L2, emma, DeepinDepp, and Reemi for contributing to this story. You can read the article in the Aspen Times HERE.

New CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY trailer online at Moviefone!

Emma reports that a new trailer for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, is now available online at moviefone. You can see for yourself HERE. Thanks, emma! Moviefone also includes a feature called “Hair’s Johnny,” noting some of Johnny’s character’s more memorable hairstyles, including Willy Wonka’s black pageboy, Cry-Baby’s Elvis ‘do, Edward Scissorhands’ unkempt mop, Roux’s ponytail, Captain Jack’s dreadlocks, and Mort’s two-toned bedhead–although it mis-identifies J.M. Barrie’s dark hair as “Lock of the Irish,” not realizing that Barrie was a Scot. Be sure to vote for your favorite!

In other CATCF news, Donna B. reports that the new LIFE Magazine has a page on CATCF in its summer movie preview, out this weekend. LIFE is distributed as a feature inside newspapers; the edition is dated May 27, 2005.

Happy 10th Anniversary to DEAD MAN!

Ten years ago today, May 26, 1995, Jim Jarmusch’s stark and haunting allegory of the American frontier, DEAD MAN, debuted at the Cannes film festival. In the intervening years, and despite a spotty early critical reception and an almost total lack of promotion by its distributor, DEAD MAN has advanced from cult favorite to landmark film. It is widely acknowledged as one of Johnny Depp’s finest performances, a perfect meld of artist and vehicle.

The Zone salutes Jim Jarmusch,who wrote and directed DEAD MAN; director of photography Robby Muller and editor Jay Rabinowitz, for their extraordinarily poetic images; Neil Young for his evocative score, and an outstanding cast headed by Johnny Depp as William Blake and Gary Farmer as Nobody, with Lance Henricksen, Iggy Pop. Billy Bob Thornton, Mili Avital, Crispin Glover, Gabriel Byrne, John Hurt, Alfred Molina, and, in his final role, screen legend Robert Mitchum. We invite Zone members to post their reminiscences to a tribute thread on the Porch, and to join in a special discussion of DEAD MAN on the Movie Nights board.

TV Alert– CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY promo on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT and the TODAY show

Depp fans could enjoy the new television commercial for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY morning and night: it aired during the TODAY show at breakfast time and during ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT in the early evening hours on Thursday, May 26th. Thanks to DeppFever for information on the TODAY show and DeepinDepp for posting a transcript on the News forum; thanks to ack and Fran-is-a-fan for word on ET.

Zoners who were not able to see the commercial can go to the Recent Pics board to see a set of screencaps posted by Intodadepps; the small photo on the left is a sample. You can see a larger version of the picture HERE.

Fran-is-a-fan found the following snippet of a past interview with Johnny Depp posted on the ET website–thanks, Fran! The interview dates to last fall’s FINDING NEVERLAND promotion, when Johnny was shooting CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. At that time, he told ET he was “happy to do films that are pretty accessible to my kids right now.” ET adds that Johnny “only had raves for his young co-star, Freddie [Highmore],” who played young Peter in FINDING NEVERLAND and plays Charlie Bucket in CATCF–a role for which he was recommended by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. “He’s a magic kid,” said Johnny. “Freddie’s all magic, all purity, all honesty. He is as good a pal as any I’ve got. He’s someone I consider a great friend, and beyond that, a great actor. He’s just a really good human being.”

Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom TV interview: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels will be "Bigger and better!"

Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley were Chris Cuomo’s guests on the “Guess Who’s Coming to Breakfast?” segment of GOOD MORNING, AMERICA on Wednesday, May 25th. Cuomo broadcast from the island of Dominica where PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST has been shooting for the past month, and made much of how remote and inaccessible the site was. Keira and Orlando appeared in costume–Keira even sported a black tricorne hat, despite the tropical heat–and were full of good humor, laughing and joking with one another throughout the interview.

Very little plot information about the sequels was given away during the interview; each actor spoke briefly about a particular fight scene he or she found challenging and fun to do, but apart from that, the questions were about filmmaking in general. Orlando said it was “great” and Keira said it was “lovely” to have the POTC group together again. Johnny Depp was not present; his name came up briefly when Chris Cuomo asked about the Keith Richards-Pepe le Pew inspiration for Captain Jack Sparrow. Keira had apparently never heard of Pepe le Pew, but when the concept of the intrepidly romantic skunk was explained to her, she exclaimed, “Yes! You can see it!” and Orlando replied, “The genius of Johnny.”

When asked about the challenges of shooting two sequels simultaneously, Orlando replied, “When you’re shooting two movies, they’re all out of sequence, and you might be shooting a scene for the first movie in the morning, and they might pluck something in from the third movie . . . which is what they’re beginning to do on this one.” Keira added, “We’re going to do a scene from PIRATES 3, either tomorrow or the next day, and we haven’t read the script–I only got given the script for Part 3 last night!” A laughing Orlando corrected her: “This morning.” The actors were obviously thrilled with the script they had just read, and were laughing, exchanging knowing glances, and carrying on what amounted to a private conversation about Part 3 in half-sentences, nods, winks, and grins. “It’s so exciting,” Keira told Cuomo. “I didn’t know what scene I was coming back to shoot, or what storyline was, or anything! And then it gets kind of a little bit scary.”

Orlando interrupted her: “It’s good, though, isn’t it?” Keira turned to him with a vivacious grin. “Oh, yeah! It’s exciting!” They both nodded and repeated “Oh, yeah, yeah,” several times, their eyes glowing, as if checking to be sure their partner was as excited by the script as they were–until they realized the interviewer was finding their giddy delight too tantalizing to bear. “Sorry,” Keira said quickly, and closed the subject of the brand-new script.

Cuomo closed the interview by asking the duo what they would tell the public, to explain why we should be excited about watching the sequels. “Bigger and better,” Orlando said immediately. Keira nodded assent. “Yeah–exactly! Bigger and better!”

The Zone thanks emma for breaking the news of the GOOD MORNING, AMERICA appearance, and numerous Zoners who reported details of the interview on the News & Views forum and the Porch. A full transcript of the GMA interview, including nods, chuckles, and grins, is posted on News & Views.

TV ALERT–ABC's Good Morning, America to visit the set of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST on Dominica tomorrow, May 25th!

Be sure to tune in to your local ABC affiliate to watch GOOD MORNING, AMERICA tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 25th! Their regular “Guess Who’s Coming to Breakfast” feature will air from the set of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST on the Indian River in Dominica, and is rumored to include interviews with a couple of the stars! Since Johnny’s name wasn’t dropped on air–and you know the GMA hosts would probably find sixteen ways to mention “Johnny Depp” in the promotions if he were actually appearing–the guests are more likely to be other cast members–perhaps a familiar pirate face or two. GOOD MORNING, AMERICA airs in most markets from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thanks to emma for breaking the news. KYwoman confirms that the show hosts declared that tomorrow’s Guess Who’s Coming to Breakfast “wouldn’t want coffee, but ‘yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!'”

Join the ZONE for a 10th Anniversary Tribute to DEAD MAN on Thursday, May 26th!

“It is preferable not to travel with a dead man . . . .” Can it really be ten years since that epigram first flashed up on the screen? Yes! Thursday, May 26th marks the tenth anniversary of the debut of Jim Jarmusch’s masterpiece DEAD MAN at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Zone will honor DEAD MAN on Thursday with a tribute thread on the Porch, where you are invited to post your thoughts about the film and its impact on you as a moviegoer and a Johnny Depp fan. DeepinDepp and OldLady will host a discussion of DEAD MAN on our MOVIE NIGHTS forum.

DEAD MAN did not receive its due at the time of its original release, but its reputation has grown and grown in the succeeding years. Please join our party to celebrate ten years of DEAD MAN on Thursday–face paint is optional.

LIBERTINE news–Johnny Depp listed as Oscar contender, already; LIBERTINE screens at Cannes

Although awards season is many months away, gilly reports that Goldderby’s has already published a list of “Leading Oscar Rivals” for the “2006 Derby,” and Johnny Depp is listed as a Best Actor contender for his role as John Wilmot in THE LIBERTINE. Since THE LIBERTINE has yet to be released to the public, this news is both tantalizing and bittersweet. The earliest published release date is still August 5th in Canada–call your travel agent now . . . .

Meanwhile, emma reports the THE LIBERTINE had a special screening at the just-concluded Cannes Film Festival. Isle of Man film minister Alex Downie attended the screening (remember that THE LIBERTINE filmed on the Isle of Man) and sends back this report: “It was with people who had been involved in the film and interested buyers. The film hasn’t been finally cut yet but it was a very good and well-received performance. John Malkovich and Johnny Depp were absolutely fantastic.” Thanks to gilly and emma for keeping us up-to-date on LIBERTINE news.

BREAKING NEWS–New CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY commercial available online!

That wonderful online resource Moviebox.net has added the second TV spot for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to their site. Moviebox also features the theatrical teaser trailer, in both domestic and international versions, and the first TV commercial on their site. To see the latest addition to the CATCF promotions, go HERE, and scroll to the bottom of the list. Thanks to emma for posting the link to the TV spot on the News & Views forum, and to es who posted it on today’s morning thread, “Step Right Up and Take a Seat.”

It’s nice to see that Warner Bros. is promoting CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY with well-placed TV commercials in highly-rated television shows during the ratings sweeps period, when the maximum number of viewers will be watching. This week, commercials aired during AMERICAN IDOL, THE BACHELOR, and the season finale of CSI directed by Quentin Tarantino–television’s number one show.

Thanks also to itsnotmytree777, who reports that Warner Bros. has updated the official site for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, adding new features and some new pictures from the movie. You can check it out HERE.

Don Quixote rides again? New interest in reviving Terry Gilliam's ill-fated THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE

As Terry Gilliam stopped by the Cannes Film Festival to promote his upcoming film, THE BROTHERS GRIMM, his interviews were studded with references to his great unfinished project, THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE. Gilliam had filming underway several years ago, with Johnny Depp as Toby Grosini and Jean Rochefort as Don Quixote, but a series of disasters, brilliantly chronicled in the documentary LOST IN LA MANCHA, shut down the production. Now Gilliam hopes the project can be revived. “For the past two and a half years, I’ve been going through hoops trying to get [my property] back,” Gilliam told the GUARDIAN. “That’s what I want to do next. In the autumn, Johnny Depp will be finished with PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2: he’ll have made so much money, he’ll have time and he’ll be available next spring. Let’s go to work.”

Gilliam, who directed Johnny as Raoul Duke in the classic FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, concedes that Johnny’s ascension to the A-list has tremendously increased the likelihood that THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE will be filmed. Gilliam already has a producer lined up: Peter Watson, chief executive of Recorded Picture Company, has confirmed his interest in the film: “We are attempting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the corpse of Don Quixote,” Watson said. The Zone thanks neophyte, emma and sleepy for posting articles about Terry Gilliam on the news board. You can read them HERE and HERE.

THE RUM DIARY Resurrected–Johnny Depp to produce and star in film of Hunter S. Thompson's novel

In an article cleverly titled “Depp Gonzo over ‘Rum,'” Variety reports that the long-dormant plan to film Hunter S. Thompson’s novel THE RUM DIARY has come back to life due to Johnny Depp’s interest in the project. Johnny will be executive producer of the film, and he has hired Bruce Robinson to adapt Hunter’s novel into a screenplay and direct the movie. Depp fans will remember that Robinson’s comedy classic WITHNAIL & I is one of Johnny’s favorite films. Johnny, whose soul-stealing performance as Hunter S. Thompson’s alter ego Raoul Duke in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS is one of the highlights of his career, will play a character based on Hunter.

THE RUM DIARY will be financed by FilmEngine; the producers will be A.J. Dix, Anthony Rhulen, William Shively, Robert S. Kravis and Greg Shapiro. FilmEngine had earlier tried to film Thompson’s novel, which deals with the adventures of a journalist in 1950s Puerto Rico, with a script by Michael Thomas and a cast including Johnny Depp, Benecio del Toro, and Nick Nolte. That attempt fell through due to scheduling conflicts.

Now, with the hiring of Bruce Robinson to write and direct, the producers are essentially starting over. “Johnny had tried to hire Bruce four times and this was the first thing he accepted,” producer Anthony Rhulen told Variety. “Johnny is working hands on with Bruce to develop his character, and we’ll worry about the rest of the cast later. So many talented actors are fans of Hunter that that part should be relatively easy.”

FilmEngine’s current plan is to begin production of the long-delayed RUM DIARY sometime after Johnny Depp finishes the back-to-back sequels to PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. The Zone thanks emma for breaking the story; you can read the Variety article on the News & Views forum.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY premiere set for July 7, 2005 in Los Angeles!

The world premiere of Warner Bros. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, is now scheduled for Los Angeles on July 7, 2005. The premiere will take place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where many of Hollywood’s greatest stars have placed their handprints in the cement of the courtyard. Although the Chinese Theatre is a large venue, seating 1,162 patrons, no tickets for the premiere are available to the general public; the Mann Theatres website stresses “All premiere tickets are handled through the studios for distribution.” Note, too, that the date is still subject to change. You can reach the Mann Theatres site HERE.

The Zone thanks emma for posting the story on the News & Views board.

In additional CATCF news, a new TV commercial began airing this week–Jack’s Effects reported seeing it during the latest episode of THE BACHELOR, and others have seen the spot airing on MTV. It features Johnny, as Willy Wonka, uttering the memorable line, “Don’t touch that squirrel’s nuts!”

First test screenings of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY in Chicago on May 14th!

Two test screenings for the Warner Bros. summer release, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as eccentric candymaker Willy Wonka, were held on Saturday, May 14th, in Chicago. The first audience to see the film consisted of children, age 14 and younger; the second screening was for an adult audience, some of whom were picked to be in focus groups and give feedback. Reviews of the still-unfinished film are beginning to surface on Internet film sites: most are positive and contain raves for Johnny’s performance. The Zone thanks new member tocnavforjd for posting the first review of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, from Ain’t It Cool News. You can read the whole review on the News & Views forum, but beware: there are many spoilers. Thanks also to DeepinDepp for followup stories on the screening.

In related CATCF news, emma reports that, according to JoBlo, the full-length trailer for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will run with the animated film MADAGASCAR, which opens on Memorial Day weekend, May 27th.

A pirate's life for me–new pictures of Johnny Depp going to work on the set of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Ahoy, Deppheads! The paparazzi must know where the yacht Sarita makes berth, because once again they captured some fine shots of Johnny Depp leaving the Sarita, in the waters off the Caribbean island of Dominica, and entering a water taxi to be ferried to work. Johnny’s destination, of course, is the set of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST, where he is reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Many thanks to bonnie for posting lovely huge photos on the Recent Pics forum; to see a larger version of the picture at the left, click HERE.

In other news from POTC:DEAD MAN’S CHEST, British actress Naomie Harris has completed her scenes and is off to shoot MIAMI VICE with Colin Farrell before returning to the Bahamas for the third POTC film. In an interview called “Caribbean Queen,” Marianne McDonald describes the mesmerizing 28-year-old actress as charming and innocent, possessing “an unworldly air and the gushing optimism of a 12-year-old.” Was Ms. Harris, best known for her role as a zombie in 28 DAYS LATER, intimidated at the idea of working with Johnny Depp? Not at all, Naomie reports: “He was very friendly and down to earth.” The Zone thanks emma for posting the interview; you can read the article on the News & Views forum.

Good news for Canadian Zoners! THE LIBERTINE will premiere on August 5th!

Canada continues to be the venue of choice for Laurence Dunmore’s film about the deliciously decadent Earl of Rochester. A Canadian film site is now announcing a premiere date of August 5, 2005 for THE LIBERTINE, starring Johnny Depp as John Wilmot. That is two weeks ahead of the announced U.S. premiere date of August 19th–in limited release only, alas. A French premiere date of November 23rd, 2005 has been announced, yet, oddly enough, there is no premiere date yet for the UK, birthplace of the notorious Earl, where interest in THE LIBERTINE should be most keen.

Zoners will remember that THE LIBERTINE was shown as a work-in-progress at last September’s Toronto Film Festival, to date its only public screenings. Now we have reason to envy the Canadians again, as they will apparently have first glimpse of the finished film. Thanks to DeepinDepp for posting the information on the News & Views board.

GALLERY ALERT–the May SLEEPY'S SPECIALS are here!

The Zone is happy to announce that SLEEPY’S SPECIALS, a collection of our favorite new and vintage pictures of Johnny Depp, have been updated for the month of May. Click on the button above to view this month’s selection of beautiful photographs from Sleepy’s collection.

Thanks as always to Sleepy for sharing her photos without marking them in any way, and to Mostly Harmless for the design of the Specials gallery. We also send a special thank you this month to bonnie; we adapted the photo of Captain Jack Sparrow on the pier from a photo she posted on Recent Pics. Enjoy!

A fundraiser for the Gonzo Memorial Fist, honoring Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Zone members who would like to contribute to the erection of the Gonzo Memorial Fist on Dr. Hunter S. Thompson’s Owl Farm Estate in Woody Creek, Colorado, now have an opportunity to participate. The plan is to build a 150-foot high stone column crowned with a giant red fist, just as Hunter described it while musing to a reporter in a BBC documentary many years ago.

How can you help? Well, if you wear T-shirts or drink beer, or both, you can contact Denver’s Flying Dog Brewery. Flying Dog has created Gonzo Imperial Porter, an official tribute beer honoring Hunter, and will be selling it in four-packs beginning in early June. The beer will feature a tribute illustration from Hunter’s frequent collaborator, world-renowned artist Ralph Steadman.

Flying Dog Brewery has an illustrious pedigree: its founder, George Stranahan, was Hunter’s friend and neighbor in Aspen, Colorado. As the Flying Dog website cheerfully reports, “The duo met up with gonzo artist Ralph Steadman in 1991 at the Woody Creek Tavern in what the brewery infamously refers to as, ‘the meeting of minds.’ No one knows exactly what transpired that night but the result was Road Dog Porter and the first, authentic, gonzo beer label illustrated by Ralph Steadman and Hunter’s quote, ‘Good People Drink Good Beer.'” Now Flying Dog is adding Gonzo Imperial Porter to its litter of ales.

Members can also support the Gonzo Memorial by buying a limited edition Gonzo Imperial Porter T-shirt. The shirt will feature the Ralph Steadman Illustration Label on the back. You can pre-order your T-shirt by emailing brianne@flyingdogales.com or by phoning 1-800-9doggie. For more information on T-shirt sales, click HERE. For more information on Gonzo Imperial Porter, click HERE.

The Zone thanks DeepinDepp for breaking the story; no doubt many Zoners will welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Gonzo Memorial and wear a T-shirt or quaff a bottle of beer in Hunter’s memory. The monument is scheduled to be unveiled at a memorial service for HST in August; you can read the full story on the News & Views forum.

A new television commercial for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!

The summer movie season must be getting close, because this weekend brought plenty of new promotional activity for Tim Burton’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. A new television commercial aired during the ABC showing of HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS on Saturday night; Zoners are giving the spot good reviews. Thanks to Donna B. for breaking the story, and to tina_als_girl for posting her screencaps of the commercial and several links to the video itself. You can find them on the News and Views forum.

Donna B. also brought word of a full-page color ad in Sunday’s New York Times “Summer Movies” section. The ad is a reproduction of the CATCF movie poster in which the five children appear over Willy Wonka’s top hat; a closeup of Johnny’s face fills the lower half of the poster, as his top hat tips rakishly over one eye. You can find the poster on page 23 of the Arts & Leisure section 2A.

The New York Daily News takes a different approach, with writer Celia McGee doing a feature about recent films based on children’s books. “In the coming months, children and those who think they’re the boss of them have a spate of kiddie fare to look forward to, beginning with Johnny Depp getting sweet and gooey in July’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. This is Tim Burton’s version of the Roald Dahl classic about a boy (Freddie Highmore) who gains dangerous access to the Wonka candy empire,” McGee writes. She asked Freddie for his reaction to portraying a classic character. “Obviously, playing the part of Charlie is very special to me,” replied Freddie.

And what is Freddie reading now? “I’ve just finished William Golding’s LORD OF THE FLIES, which for me was brilliant,” replied the 12-year-old. “Anyone who’s been to school (like most of us) knows that a group of kids aimlessly messing about are actually engaged in a constant battle to improve or maintain their position with their peers…. LORD OF THE FLIES answers one of those ‘what if’ questions we all have of ‘what if there were suddenly no rules or law enforcers?'” Clearly Freddie has more in common with his mentor Johnny Depp than just acting talent; he also shares Johnny’s love for a great read. Thanks to Reemi for sharing this charming story. You can read the the full McGee article, which interviews several actors about their favorite books, HERE.

Congratulations to ONBC! The Zone's Oprah Noodlemantra Book Club is mentioned in a wire story on Johnny Depp!

The Zone’s excitement at the news that Johnny Depp would produce a film of Nick Hornby’s new book, A LONG WAY DOWN, for Warner Brothers, leapt to a new level when we saw a reference to our own Oprah Noodlemantra Book Club in a news story entitled “Swashbuckler Nabs Hornby Book.” After giving the facts of the Warner Brothers deal and quoting Johnny’s praise of Hornby’s book and Hornby’s praise of Johnny, the story turns to an assessment of Johnny’s remarkable reading habits and how they shape Infinitum Nihil’s production schedule.

“King’s Initial Entertainment Group and Johnny’s production company, Infinitum Nihil, are already working together as partners on the upcoming Warner Brothers film SHANTARAM, Gregory David Roberts’ tale of drugs, armed robberies and Bombay hospitals,” the article continues. “Depp also has the rights to HAPPY DAYS–no, not the Fonz TV program, but the novel by Laurent Graff – and I,FATTY, Jerry Stahl’s rip-roaring take on the Fatty Arbuckle story.

“Says Stahl, ‘Depp is the most well-read guy I’ve met.’ Obviously so,” observes the writer for Dogmatika. “And impeccable taste as well. Depp is a well-known fan of the Beats (was friends with lynchpin Allen Ginsberg, and played Jack Kerouac in THE SOURCE), and famously portrayed Doctor Thompson in FEAR AND LOATHING,” the article continues. “There is even a bookclub devoted to all-things Johnny, the cleverly-named Oprah Noodlemantra book club; not only a gentle wink at the Oprah Winfrey Bookclub, but also the pseudonym Depp used to use when checking into hotels.”

Congratulations to ONBC moderators Liz and DeppintheHeartofTexas, and all of the members who keep the Oprah Noodlemantra Book Club a lively and thought-provoking place. You do an outstanding job! And thanks to DeepinDepp for posting the story on the News board. You can read the whole article HERE.

ONBC is currently discussing SHANTARAM–stop by their forum and take a look!