Articles from January 2008



"I didn't want to let Tim down," Johnny Depp tells FilmInk about his SWEENEY TODD role

In a recent interview with FilmInk’s Philip Berk, Johnny Depp disclosed that his main concern about tackling the difficult role of Sweeney Todd was that he not disappoint his friend and director, Tim Burton: “I didn’t want to let Tim down. [. . .] I was afraid that I’d disappoint him,” says Johnny. “The process was strange, even though my background is music–I started as a guitar player–but the idea of standing in front of a microphone scared me to death.”

Even though he was “scared to death,” Johnny still accepted the role of the demon barber: “With Tim, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do,” he explains. “I trust him implicitly. It’s more than the bond between an actor and a director. It’s a very strong link. There are things that I have done for Tim that I wouldn’t do for myself,” adds Johnny. “I would never have gone in and recorded vocals. I would never have done that in my life had Tim not asked me to do it.” Many thanks to Tim Burton for making that request!

The Zone thanks Emma for the FilmInk interview; you can read it in full on the News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

New photos of Johnny Depp in Los Angeles on January 29th

That’s a photo of Johnny Depp on a street in Los Angeles taken on January 29, 2008–to see a larger version, click here: http://tinyurl.com/28hsc8 Johnny had been to lunch at Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard, and was apparently followed by some paparazzi when he left. While we love to see new pictures of Johnny, these circumstances were certainly far from ideal, since at one point he felt it necessary to get out of his vehicle and offer some suggestions to the paparazzi who were following him. Here’s a full-length view of Johnny, striding purposefully toward the photographers, accompanied by his friend and sound technician Keenan Wyatt: http://tinyurl.com/2wuext The Zone thanks Bonnie for the photographs; it’s always a pleasure to see Johnny, but we hope the next photos come from somewhere safe and sanctioned, like a red carpet or a photo shoot, and not from the stalkerazzi. –Part-Time Poet

John Ortiz joins the cast of Michael Mann's PUBLIC ENEMIES

The cast of Michael Mann’s film PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp as Public Enemy #1 John Dillinger and Christian Bale as FBI Agent Melvin Purvis, is quickly taking shape: MTV’s movie expert Larry Carroll reports that “chameleonesque character actor” John Ortiz has joined the cast, playing Sicilian gangster Frank Nitti, an associate of Al Capone. Ortiz has previously worked with Michael Mann on MIAMI VICE, and also appeared in AMERICAN GANGSTER. “[PUBLIC ENEMIES] is about the life of John Dillinger, and the gangsters of the 1930’s,” Ortiz told MTV. “It’s totally old school. All of the gangster films that we see, and the stories, including AMERICAN GANGSTER, it started with those guys back in the 30’s.”

The Zone thanks Theresa for breaking the news; you can read more about the new cast additions to PUBLIC ENEMIES on the Zone’s News & Views forum. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in early March on location in Illinois and Wisconsin. –Part-Time Poet

Oscar nominee Marion Cotillard joins the cast of Michael Mann's PUBLIC ENEMIES, with Johnny Depp

Michael Mann’s film PUBLIC ENEMIES can now boast two reigning Golden Globe winners and 2008 Oscar nominees in its leading roles, as Marion Cotillard joins the cast; she will play Billie Frechette, the love interest of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp. Ms. Cotillard won this year’s Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture Actress, Musical or Comedy for her role as Edith Piaf in LA VIE EN ROSE, for which she has also received a Best Actress Oscar nomination. She has also appeared in A GOOD YEAR with Russell Crowe, and Tim Burton’s BIG FISH.

In other PUBLIC ENEMIES news, Michael Fleming of Variety reports that Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Dorff and Jason Clarke are also joining the cast as members of Dillinger’s gang of bank robbers. Says Fleming, “Tatum will play outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd, Ribisi will play Alvin Karpis, Dorff is near a deal to play Homer Van Meter, and Clarke will play John ‘Red’ Hamilton.” The Dillinger gang will be pursued by FBI Agent Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale. That’s an exciting cast!

The Zone thanks Sleepy and DeepinDepp for the casting updates from Variety and the Hollywood Reporter; you can read the articles in full on the Zone’s News & Views forum. PUBLIC ENEMIES is scheduled to begin filming on March 10th in Chicago. –Part-Time Poet

Announcing a new photo gallery for the Zone! and our 1,000th news story

The Zone is celebrating Johnny Depp’s Oscar nomination for SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET with an addition to our permanent photo galleries–a collection of photos from the SWEENEY TODD world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on December 3, 2007. We thank Bonnie, AnaMaria, Carasun, Silvia, Theresa and Sleepy for their assistance. To see the new gallery, click on the PHOTO GALLERIES button above, select THE DEPPARTMENT, and scroll down . . . the new gallery is the last entry under “Johnny’s Public Appearances.”

On a personal note, this story is the 1,000th that I have written for the Zone’s home page since we changed our format and opened the new site on July 9, 2004. At that time, we were celebrating the launch of Johnny Depp’s production company Infinitum Nihil, learning about his purchase of an island in the Caribbean, and mourning the sudden death of Marlon Brando. Johnny was working on CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and THE CORPSE BRIDE for Tim Burton, and FINDING NEVERLAND–not yet seen in theaters–was scheduled for screening at the Venice Film Festival in September. In this week, a thousand stories and 3 1/2 years later, Johnny has received his third Oscar nomination, and the latest film he made with Tim Burton, SWEENEY TODD, is opening across Europe to great acclaim. Chronicling the career of Johnny Depp has been a joy and a privilege; no journalist could wish for a better subject. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Johnny; your genius is equaled only by your kindness. –Part-Time Poet

"An honor and a privilege:" Johnny Depp reacts to his Oscar nomination for SWEENEY TODD

Johnny Depp offered the following statement in reaction to the news that he had been nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor for his performance in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET: “My sincere thanks to the Academy for this kind nomination,” said Johnny. “It is both an honor and a privilege to be aligned amongst such ability.” After graciously acknowledging the excellence of the field, which also includes George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, and Viggo Mortensen, Johnny paid tribute to the other artists who created Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece as a film: “My endless gratitude also to Tim Burton and the entire cast and crew of SWEENEY TODD, without whom, I would not be here today.”

The Zone thanks Emma for the text of Johnny’s remarks; you can read more on the News & Views forum, or here: http://tinyurl.com/2oou8r –Part-Time Poet

Red-letter day–Johnny Depp receives an Oscar nomination as Best Actor for SWEENEY TODD!

Johnny Depp has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of tormented barber Sweeney Todd in Tim Burton’s SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. Congratulations to Johnny! The nod for Sweeney is Johnny’s third Oscar nomination: he was previously nominated as Best Actor for his performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, and as J. M. Barrie in FINDING NEVERLAND. Other actors receiving nominations in the category this year are George Clooney in MICHAEL CLAYTON, Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Tommy Lee Jones in IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, and Viggo Mortenson in EASTERN PROMISES.

SWEENEY TODD also received Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction (Art Direction: Dante Ferretti; Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo) and Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood).

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END received Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects (John Knoll, Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and John Frazier ) and Best Makeup (Ve Neill and Martin Samuel). Congratulations to all the nominees–we are thrilled for you!

The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 24, 2008, in a televised ceremony at the Kodak Theatre. –Part-Time Poet

"I still know that I can't sing," Johnny Depp tells Sky News

Despite winning the Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his performance in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, Johnny Depp remains disarmingly modest about his vocal talents. “I still know that I can’t sing,” Depp declares in a brief video interview with Sky News. “The biggest risk was Tim [director Tim Burton] taking the risk on asking me if I could sing . . . if I could play the role. So I wanted to be sure, so that’s why I went kind of off on my own and did a little demo,” Johnny explains. He sent the demo to Tim Burton, and was soon singing his lungs out on the set at Pinewood. “It was the first time I ever sang in my life,” Johnny confides. “Maybe the only time.”

The Sky News video blends Johnny’s comments with bits of his versions of “Epiphany” and “My Friends,” which quite effectively undercuts his claim that he “can’t sing.” To see the Sky News video, click here: http://tinyurl.com/yo4o8m The Zone thanks Emma for sharing the clip. –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp displays his barbering skills on UK's "This Morning"

Viewers of the UK’s “This Morning” program got a delightful surprise on January 18th when Steve Wilson aired his eight-minute feature on SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. Wilson intercuts numerous film clips with interviews with the SWEENEY cast, and asks some original questions. For example, he asks director Tim Burton if it was “weird” seeing Helena Bonham Carter “on screen in love with one of your best mates?” Grinning broadly, Burton (with Johnny chuckling next to him) replies, “No . . . because I knew what was going to happen to her at the end, so I felt very confident their relationship wouldn’t last.”

You can watch the entire “This Morning” feature on You Tube here: http://tinyurl.com/33l3nu Many thanks to Mrs Pink for the link. Don’t miss the game of “Guess the Goatee” or the moment when Steve Wilson hands Johnny Depp a razor and dares the screen’s most notorious singing barber to give him a Mohawk. “Just don’t put it anywhere near my throat,” the interviewer adds prudently. Johnny obliges, as you can see in our photo. To see a larger version of that screencap, click here: http://tinyurl.com/ypp4ry Thanks to Lu for sharing her screencaps with us! In this case, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words. –Part-Time Poet

In Paris, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton react to SWEENEY TODD's Golden Globes victories

At the Paris premiere of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, a reporter from AP Television asked Johnny Depp how he got the news that he had won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, Musical or Comedy for his performance as Sweeney Todd. “I was at my house,” Johnny replied. “Yeah, I was at home, just hanging out.” And Johnny’s reaction to his victory? “I was very surprised, certainly. Moved, you know. Flattered. Honoured.” Johnny recalled that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were the first to recognize his film work with an award nomination, for EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. “They nominated me about 17 years ago,” Johnny said. “It was the first time.”

Tim Burton did not learn that SWEENEY TODD had won the Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy until the morning after the awards. “Well, I was in London and I was asleep,” the director told AP Television. “So, I read about it in the newspaper the next day because nobody has my phone number so I was not really aware of it until the next morning.”

The Zone thanks Theresa for sharing the story; you can read the article here: http://tinyurl.com/33hcgw Thanks also to AnaMaria and Bonnie for the photo of Johnny in Paris. –Part-Time Poet

Learn more about Bryan Burrough's PUBLIC ENEMIES with Oprah Noodlemantra's Book Club!

Oprah Noodlemantra’s Book Club invites you to read along as they explore their newest selection, Bryan Burrough’s PUBLIC ENEMIES: AMERICA’S GREATEST CRIME WAVE AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI, 1933-34. Liz and DeppintheHeartofTexas, ONBC’s moderators, have just started posting background information on the author and the era; discussion of the book will begin the week of February 4th. Their tidbits on 1930’s history, popular culture, automobiles, and the ever-present Thompson submachine gun help make the Dillinger era come alive. Of course, PUBLIC ENEMIES compels our interest because Johnny Depp’s next movie role will be playing John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s film version of the Burrough book. Read along with ONBC, and you’ll be well-prepared to follow the filming when it gets underway in March–those Midwest locations will be more than names on a map.

Many thanks to Liz and DeppintheHeartofTexas for sharing such fascinating research on PUBLIC ENEMIES. –Part-Time Poet

SWEENEY TODD and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END receive Costume Designers Guild nominations

Congratulations to Colleen Atwood and Penny Rose; both artists were honored by their peers with nominations for the Costume Designers Guild Awards this year. The guild recognizes three categories of costume design: contemporary film, period film, and fantasy film. Colleen Atwood is nominated in the “period film” category for her costumes for SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The other nominees in the category are Jacqueline Durran for ATONEMENT, Alexandra Byrne for ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE, the late Marit Allen for LA VIE EN ROSE, and Arianne Phillips for 3:10 TO YUMA.

Penny Rose is nominated in the “fantasy film” category for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END; other nominees in the category include Mona May for ENCHANTED, Ruth Myers for THE GOLDEN COMPASS, Jany Temime for HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, and Michael Wilkinson for 300.

Winners will be announced at the Costume Designers Guild Awards ceremony on February 19, 2008 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The Zone thanks Johnny Fanatic for posting the news; you can read a full list of nominees here: http://tinyurl.com/2yuqcc –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp on cover of UK's RADIO TIMES Magazine

The January 19th issue of RADIO TIMES features Johnny Depp on the cover and Andrew Duncan’s interview with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton inside. Duncan sees Johnny and Tim as “an odd couple, shackled by luck, integrity, and similar dysfunctional upbringings [. . .] . They echo each other’s vulnerabilities and both remain popular without compromising their subversive and eclectic enthusiasms,” he writes. Duncan doesn’t have much to say about SWEENEY TODD–he writes like a man who has yet to see the film–but he does elicit some fresh comments on non-SWEENEY subjects. For example, Duncan draws Tim Burton into a discussion of fatherhood:

“Johnny had children before us and it was interesting to see the subtle changes in him,” says Burton of his son Billy’s godfather. “It’s not as if he turned into ‘father knows best,’ but I could see the joy it brings to a person. It makes you more sensitive. I’ve often read that artists spend their life trying to get back to the simplicity of childhood. You see the world fresh again through your children’s eyes, and it’s quite beautiful.”

With Johnny Depp, Duncan focuses on music, suggesting that since Johnny’s “first love was guitar playing . . . he’s really a failed musician.” Johnny agrees with that diagnosis. “And I might be a failed actor, too,” Johnny adds. “Who knows? I’m still a musician. The joy of falling in love with a musical instrument is that it will never go away and you won’t stop playing.” As a musician, is he happy with his singing in SWEENEY TODD? Replies Johnny, “I’m happy it’s done.”

The Zone thanks Gilbert’s Girl and In-too-Depp for sharing the news with us; you can read more of Andrew Duncan’s interview on the News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

New issue of TIME OUT LONDON features interview with Tim Burton

The January 15th issue of TIME OUT LONDON pays tribute to SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET with a diverting audiowalk that “takes you inside Sweeney’s London featuring music, audio clips and interviews from Tim Burton’s adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s award-wining musical.” They locate Mr. Todd’s shop at 186 Fleet Street, next to St. Dunstan’s Church. To download the audiowalk, visit their website here: http://www.timeout.com/london/ Also featured in the January 15th issue is Trevor Johnston’s interview with SWEENEY TODD director Tim Burton, pictured at left with Johnny Depp at the Paris premiere of the film. Here are a few excerpts from that interview:

Time Out: It’s a seriously grim, blood-soaked story: presumably the challenge was for it not to turn silly when the characters start singing?

Tim Burton: Most musicals are camp by their very nature but the difference here was the melodrama of it, that sense of really extreme obsessive behaviour which made it feel to me much more like a silent movie with music. The material has a strong horror-movie vein to it. Johnny Depp and I were always talking in terms of old horror-movie actors like Lon Chaney and Peter Lorre. But then you get on set and you have to fit that in with a show which is about the belting-to-the-gallery type of Broadway singing. I think in the end it actually helped that we had non-professional singers. Johnny really made it his own; he keeps that extreme emotional element and still sounds like him.

Time Out: Although there are cuts, Sondheim’s well served here, since you can hear all the words for a change . . . .

Tim Burton: And you can see the actors’ eyes, which was the most important thing for me. When you look at Peter Lorre, for instance, it’s all in the eyes, and Johnny’s the same here. He looks at the camera and you see pain and anguish and anger all at once.

The Zone thanks Emma for breaking the TIME OUT story and posting the interview; you can read it in its entirety on the Porch message board or here: http://tinyurl.com/ypvcpl Thanks also to Bonnie and AnaMaria for the photo of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp from the Paris premiere; you can see a larger version here: http://tinyurl.com/ysckmw –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp attends Paris premiere of SWEENEY TODD; new photos!

Here’s Johnny! Golden Globe winner Johnny Depp attended the Paris premiere of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET tonight, January 16th, and signed autographs for fans waiting outside the theater. Johnny wore a dark coat over a blue-striped shirt and jeans, a brown fedora, and a scarf wrapped around his neck to ward off the cold. Director Tim Burton wore a black suit, black shirt, and, perhaps as a tribute to his friend, a skull-and-crossbones tie. To see a photo of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton together at the Paris premiere, click here: http://tinyurl.com/27aoqe The Zone thanks AnaMaria for breaking the news of Johnny’s arrival and AnaMaria and Bonnie for sharing the photos; you can read more about the Paris premiere of SWEENEY TODD, the Golden Globe winner for Best Picture, Musical or Comedy, on the Pit. –Part-Time Poet

"Stunning in every dimension:" The New York Times music critic praises Johnny Depp's vocal performance in SWEENEY TODD

Count Anthony Tommasini, the music critic of the New York Times, among the many devotees of Stephen Sondheim’s masterwork SWEENEY TODD who wondered if Johnny Depp would be able to sing the “vocally daunting” role. “Indeed he can. Or perhaps the way to put it is that his performance as captured on screen is stunning in every dimension: dramatically, psychologically, physically and, yes, vocally,” writes Mr. Tommasini in a Times article entitled “An Actor Whose Approach to Singing Lets the Words Take Center Stage.” While conceding that Johnny’s voice doesn’t have the “heft or power” needed to perform the role on Broadway, the critic finds his vocal technique well suited to film, where he can “almost whisper many lines,” an option not available in a cavernous theater: “The effect is stunning.

“In Mr. Depp’s portrayal, words come first in the shaping of a phrase,” explains Mr. Tommasini. “Expression, nuance, intention and controlled intensity matter more than vocal richness and sustaining power. These principles of vocal artistry matter just as much onstage, as the best operatic artists understand,” the critic continues. “But too many opera singers are overly focused on making beautiful sounds and sending notes soaring at the expense of crisp diction and textual clarity. They could learn something from Mr. Depp’s verbally dynamic singing.”

Mr. Tommasini also takes issue with reviewers who comment that Johnny sing-talks his way through the role; not at all, says the critic. “I don’t mean to suggest that his vocal performance is merely a savvy kind of sung speech. There is musical distinction in his work. His ear is obviously excellent, because his pitch is dead-on accurate.”

Above all, Mr. Tommasini appreciates the way Johnny uses his voice as an instrument to add “tragic depth” to Sweeney’s character. “Beyond his good pitch and phrasing, the expressive colorings of his singing are crucial to the portrayal. Beneath this Sweeney’s vacant, sullen exterior is a man consumed with a murderous rage that threatens to burst forth every time he slowly takes a breath and is poised to speak,” writes Tommasini. “Yet when he sings, his voice crackles and breaks with sadness. ‘There was a barber and his wife/And she was beautiful,’ he sings, letting the sustained tone on the word ‘beautiful’ swell with shaky vibrato and linger with impotent longing.”

You can read the full New York Times article on the Zone’s Porch message board; we thank FANtasticJD for posting it. –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp thanks the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for his Golden Globe Award for SWEENEY TODD

Due to the writers’ strike, last night’s Golden Globe Awards were announced in a press conference with no nominees present–and therefore, no acceptance speeches by the winners. Here is Johnny Depp’s statement thanking the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for naming him Best Actor in a Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy for his performance in SWEENEY TODD, which was also their pick for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy:

“I would like to thank my beloved friends at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for bestowing such an honor on me. It is a humbling experience, especially in the company of such talent,” Johnny said. “For many years, the HFPA has supported my work, and for that I have always been truly grateful.

“While this is indeed a happy day for me, I am overjoyed at the recognition the film as a whole is receiving. Tim [Burton] is a dear friend and a true artist whose vision and skill inspire us all. He is a genius. Without his unwavering trust and support, I would not be anywhere near where I am today,” said Johnny. “Also, big thanks and respect to Helena [Bonham Carter], whose simply staggering performance as Mrs. Lovett is a wonder to behold.”

Johnny went on to recognize everyone associated with SWEENEY TODD: “I must send a behemoth salute to the wonderful crew and cast of SWEENEY TODD and all at Dreamworks/Paramount and Warner Bros. Pictures.” Then came personal messages of thanks: “In addition, I’d also like to extend my sincere gratitude to, first and foremost, my cherished friend and agent of forever ago, Tracey Jacobs; the extraordinary man and producer, Richard Zanuck; the mastermind Stephen Sondheim; and, of course, my precious family, Vanessa, Lily-Rose, and Jack, for all of their love, support and pure and absolute happiness everyday.”

Johnny concluded, “Overall, I believe it to be a proud achievement for everyone involved, and on behalf of us all, I thank you.”

Many thanks to Theresa and Emma for posting Johnny’s announcement on the Zone’s News & Views forum, and to The Insider for carrying the full text of his remarks. You can read them here: http://tinyurl.com/2wft7e To see a larger version of our photo of Johnny, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton at the London premiere of SWEENEY TODD last week, click here: http://tinyurl.com/3cmo7v It’s not exactly a Golden Globes red carpet pic, but it’s close! –Part-Time Poet

It's golden! Johnny Depp and SWEENEY TODD win Golden Globe Awards!

Johnny Depp won his first Golden Globe award this evening; he was named Best Actor in a Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy for his role as the vengeance-driven barber in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. Tim Burton’s film of Stephen Sondheim’s musical SWEENEY TODD was named Best Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy, besting a strong field that included ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR, HAIRSPRAY, and JUNO. The Zone sends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Johnny, Tim, and all of the cast and crew of SWEENEY TODD!

The Hollywood Press Association scattered its awards among a number of motion pictures, naming ATONEMENT as Best Motion Picture–Drama, and recognizing NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor, Javier Bardem, while Daniel Day-Lewis (THERE WILL BE BLOOD) and Julie Christie (AWAY FROM HER) were honored as Best Actor and Actress in a Motion Picture–Drama. Marion Cotillard won Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for LA VIE EN ROSE; Cate Blanchett won Best Supporting Actress for I’M NOT THERE; and THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY won two Golden Globes, for Best Director (Julian Schnabel) and Best Foreign Language Film.

Johnny Depp’s win for SWEENEY TODD marked his eighth Golden Globe nomination; he was previously nominated for EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, BENNY & JOON, ED WOOD, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, FINDING NEVERLAND, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST. –Part-Time Poet

Christian Bale in talks to join Michael Mann's PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp

Exciting news! Christian Bale is in negotiations with director Michael Mann to join the film PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp as the 1930s bank robber John Dillinger; both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter are carrying stories today (January 11th) reporting that Bale would play Dillinger’s nemesis, the FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Purvis “led the FBI’s manhunt for Dillinger and captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history,” says the Hollywood Reporter. “It was Purvis who uttered, ‘Stick ’em up, Johnny,’ when he confronted Dillinger in Chicago.” Production of PUBLIC ENEMIES will start in Chicago and other Midwestern locations in March. It is not expected to conflict with Bale’s commitment to film TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS, in which he plays hero John Connor; that film will follow PUBLIC ENEMIES.

The Zone thanks Theresa for posting the Variety article and Emma for posting the one from The Hollywood Reporter; you can read both on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp arrives at the London premiere of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

The photo at left shows Johnny Depp as he arrives at the London premiere of his latest film, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at the Odeon Cinema at Leicester Square. Johnny was joined at tonight’s premiere by his director, Tim Burton, and co-stars Helena Bonham Carter (looking radiant in a red strapless gown), Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall (accompanied by his family), Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jayne Wisener, and Ed Sanders. Johnny wore a black heathered suit flecked with ivory and a black shirt open at the neck–no coat, hat, or glasses. To see a photo of Johnny on the red carpet, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2b462a and to see a larger version of our portrait, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2af9uy Many thanks to AnaMaria and Carasun for sharing pictures.

A large, enthusiastic crowd stood waiting in the rain at Leicester Square for hours for Johnny and the other stars to arrive; several Zoners were in attendance and met Johnny, and a couple even got Johnny’s autograph . . . on their arms! (Tattoos to follow.) Many thanks to marijke who shared her phone conversations with friends at Leicester Square with the Zone–you can read the play-by-play of the event on the Pit thread called “Leicester Square Movie Premiere.” And here’s a brief interview with Johnny from BBC News: http://tinyurl.com/2z6522 Thanks to RumLover for posting it! –Part-Time Poet