Photos of Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd in this week's entertainment magazines

You have your choice of Sweeneys–smiling or solemn–in this week’s U.S. entertainment magazines, which include photographs of Johnny Depp taken a week ago on the set of SWEENEY TODD. PEOPLE Magazine offers a lovely, nearly half-page shot of smiling Johnny on page 15 of the April 16, 2007 issue (Valerie Bertinelli cover). Their caption: “Johnny Depp continues his elaborate costume streak, donning 19th century garb to play the vengeful barber in SWEENEY TODD.” Meanwhile, US Magazine opts for a smaller photo of the solemn Sweeney shown at left; the photo appears on page 28 of the April 16 issue (Tori Spelling on cover). Their caption: “Johnny Depp wore a killer costume for a role as a murderous barber in the film version of SWEENEY TODD in London March 27.” IN TOUCH Magazine offers a slightly larger version of the same picture, but ruins it with intrusive captions–PEOPLE and US are definitely better buys for a Depp collector. –Part-Time Poet

"I would call it a spiritual action film"–Mira Nair discusses her upcoming film SHANTARAM, starring Johnny Depp

Making the media rounds in support of her newly released film THE NAMESAKE, which has garnered brilliant reviews, the always candid and charming Mira Nair spoke freely to reporters about her next project, SHANTARAM. A collection of interviews with Mrs. Nair appears on the Zone’s News & Views forum–many thanks to emma for collecting these for us. Here are a few choice comments from her interview with Arthur J. Pais:

Pais: Johnny Depp is going to play the lead in SHANTARAM. He is also one of its producers. What was your first impression of him?

Mira Nair: People who have known him for long will tell you that he is a humble soul with great curiosity about the world. And those were my impressions, too. He loves taking risks, and that is why you see him in big films such as the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN series, and smaller films like THE LIBERTINE. You never get the feeling that you are dealing with a movie star when you work with him. He is down-to-earth and very humane.

Pais: If you were to describe SHANTARAM in one sentence . . .

Mira Nair: I would say it is a spiritual action film.

Pais: In an interview a few years ago, you had told us that you are fascinated by how people survive in alien societies. To some extent, this is the theme of THE NAMESAKE. And now, in SHANTARAM . . . .

Mira Nair: It, too, asks the questions the characters in THE NAMESAKE ask. Like what is one’s home? What is one’s country? How much can an outsider become part of the country he or she has adopted? I am curious to know how much of an integration can take place. [. . . ]

Pais: How much of the casting has been done for SHANTARAM?

Mira Nair: We have two lead parts filled, and we have two great actors doing them. Of course, you know that Johnny Depp will play the title role, and Amitabh Bachchan will play Kader Khan, the slum lord. Both are eager to work with each other.

Pais: You have worked with a number of excellent artists.

Mira Nair: I have been lucky. [. . .] But working with Johnny Depp and Amitabh Bachchan in one film! –Part-Time Poet