JohnnyDepp-Zone.com

One of Johnny Depp’s finest performances comes to DVD in a special collector’s edition when Paramount releases 1993’s WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE on June 20th (one week before the scheduled release of THE LIBERTINE on DVD). The collector’s edition will feature commentary by director Lasse Hallstrom and writer Peter Hedges. So far the release is region 1 only, with a list price of $19.99. The Zone thanks Bunny for the good news! To see a larger version of the DVD’s beautiful cover art, click HERE.

All good things come to him (or her) who waits . . . according to the Hollywood Reporter, the new 20th anniversary edition of PLATOON, with more than ten minutes of excised footage “restored” to the film, will screen at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2006. The honor is a bit belated, since Oliver Stone’s Vietnam epic was denied a slot at Cannes when it was new–and then went on to win several Oscars for the class of 1986, including Best Picture and Best Director. (Oops.) The Hollywood Reporter notes that Oliver Stone will be attending the Cannes screening along with “most of the major cast members of PLATOON.” We have no idea if that list will include Johnny Depp, but by all accounts his role as Private Lerner will be more substantial in the “restored” version of the film, as scenes which were cut in 1986 are now included. Thanks to sleepy and FANtasticJD for the news.

May 21st will be “PLATOON Day” on the Zone; we will celebrate the resurrection of Johnny’s performance as Private Lerner, as the long-lost footage is restored. Depp fans who have long wondered about those excised scenes will finally have the chance to see the full creation when the 20th Anniversary edition of PLATOON is released on May 30, 2006.

That stunning thumbnail at the left shows Johnny Depp as he appeared in Switzerland today, April 5th, at the gala celebration of Montblanc’s 100th anniversary. (To see a larger version of the picture, click HERE.) Johnny appeared in a memorable recent ad campaign for Montblanc, and Montblanc was a sponsor of the AFI Tribute to Johnny last November. Johnny arrived in Geneva wearing a white shirt, a double-breasted blue-gray suit, his customary two-toned shoes, and his usual array of trinkets. He was accompanied by Vanessa Paradis, who looked radiant in lavender. To see a photo of Johnny and Vanessa together, click HERE. Members can see many more photos from the event on the Zone’s Recent Pics board, and join in the lively discussion on the Pit. The Zone thanks Gilbert’s Girl, theresa, AnaMaria, dharma_bum, and DeepinDepp for their contributions to the Geneva coverage!