So Quotable: Johnny Depp meets the press at the UK premiere of FINDING NEVERLAND

Quizzed by the press at the UK premiere of FINDING NEVERLAND on Sunday, Johnny Depp proved as modest and gracious as ever. Despite the hordes of female fans screaming his name and beseeching him for autographs, Johnny downplayed his sex symbol status: “I wouldn’t say I’m a heart-throb,” he said. “I just have a very weird job.” Asked how he felt about the persistent Oscar buzz surrounding his performance as J. M. Barrie, Johnny replied, “I can’t say that occupies my every thought or every moment. That’s not my job to think about that, but if people want to say that, that is really sweet.” Of his co-star Kate Winslet, Johnny said, “She’s a doll, she’s fantastic fun–she’s a great person to be around.” Johnny also brushed aside suggestions that he had been a valuable mentor to his young co-star Freddie Highmore, who plays the Peter who inspired Peter Pan. “He doesn’t need advice from me,” Johnny said. “I need help from him.”

Highmore, who is currently playing opposite Johnny once again in Tim Burton’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, hasn’t yet decided if he wants acting to be his lifelong profession. But he obviously idolizes Johnny: “Johnny Depp is fantastic,” Highmore told the press. “He will turn an ordinary scene into one which you will always remember.” If the lad doesn’t want to be an actor, he has a bright future as a critic.

The Zone thanks DeepinDepp for posting several items on the News & Views board. We also want to offer special Zone thanks and a large bouquet of lilies and roses to Susanne, who posted dozens of photos from the premiere on the Recent Pics board, and to all the UK Zoners who attended the premiere and shared their experiences. Poppet, trinni, SavvyAngelUK, lizabel,jacks-pearl, and suec–you made us feel as if we were in the theater beside you. AnaMaria was seated directly behind Vanessa Paradis at the screening, and spoke to her, while suec was interviewed for use in future advertisements for FINDING NEVERLAND! Congratulations to you all!