Articles from December 2009



Terry Gilliam confirms that Johnny Depp will not be appearing in THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE

Disregard the recent media stories (all based on Paste’s interview with Terry Gilliam) claiming that Johnny Depp will join the newly-cast Robert Duvall in Gilliam’s second attempt to film The Man Who Killed Don Quixote; the director himself insists those reports are false, and that the Paste reporter must have misunderstood his reply. According to Paste, Gilliam responded “Yeah” when asked if Johnny Depp was still going to be in Don Quixote. However, when The Film Stage asked Terry Gilliam to confirm the Paste report, Gilliam said:

“I don’t know where that came from. I think somebody, when they were playing their tape back. . . . Me and my bad annunciation gets to me a little at times, but no. I don’t know where that came from. I read the transcript I saw on the web and it has me saying ‘yeah’ but it was probably just me saying ‘nah.’ (laughs) That’s probably what I was saying. So no, Johnny is not going to be in it. The sooner we stop that one the better [. . .].”

The Zone thanks Marijose for sharing The Film Stage article and Emma for the original Paste story. You can read more on the Zone’s News and Views forum. To read the entire Film Stage article, CLICK HERE. –Part-Time Poet

Merry Christmas! THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS opens in Los Angeles and New York

After a prolonged period of anticipation, Terry Gilliam’s fantasy/parable The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus opens in limited release in the United States today, with showings at two theaters each in Los Angeles and New York City. A wider release is planned for January. The filming of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was interrupted by Heath Ledger’s untimely death in January 2008; Ledger’s role was completed by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell. After the film’s premiere at Cannes last May, Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan wrote, “A tale of good and evil battling for souls that’s made with Gilliam’s fantastic and fantastical visual imagination, Imaginarium is the director’s best, most entertaining film in years.”

You can read more about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus on the Zone’s News and Views and Porch forums. –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp visits Shamrock Tattoo Christmas party for children in Los Angeles

Johnny Depp brought toys for the kids attending a Christmas party at the Shamrock Tattoo shop on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on Saturday . . . and left the shop two hours later sporting a brand-new tattoo! Johnny’s tattoo artist was Mark Mahoney, the owner of Shamrock Tattoo. Sorry, but we don’t have any details about the new tattoo’s design or location . . . we’ll just have to wait for warmer weather and keep a sharp eye.

Johnny was spotted leaving Shamrock Tattoo, bundled up in a blue plaid flannel shirt, jeans, a Keith Richards t-shirt and a Viper Room beanie. The Zone thanks Evochka for breaking the news. –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp talks to Moviefone about DR. PARNASSUS and Heath Ledger

As Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus nears its U.S. release–it will open in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day, with a wider release promised in January–Johnny Depp reflected about the passing of Heath Ledger and his own involvement with the project. He told Moviefone: “Though the circumstances of my involvement are extremely heartrending and unbelievably sad, I feel privileged to have been asked aboard to stand in on behalf of dear Heath . . . . He was the only player out there breathing heavy down the back of every established actor’s neck with a thundering and ungovernable talent that came up on you quick, hissing rather mischievously with that cheeky grin, ‘Hey . . . get on out of my way boys, I’m coming through!’ And does he ever!”

The Zone thanks Theresa for the news; you can read more on the Zone’s News and Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

A new trailer for Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND is here!

Here’s a wonderful holiday surprise–a new (and considerably longer) trailer for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland premiered today, offering tantalizing glimpses of an exciting story and vivid characters. Here’s a look at The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she returns to Wonderland:


Many thanks to Rivka and Emma for sharing the trailer; you can read much more about Alice in Wonderland on the Zone’s News and Views forum. Alice in Wonderland comes to theaters in North America on March 5, 2010. Is it March yet? –Part-Time Poet

Johnny Depp receives Career Achievement Award from Bahamas International Film Festival

Johnny Depp received the Career Achievement Award from the Bahamas International Film Festival today, but despite the many accolades he has received for his work, he has yet to become accustomed to such honors. “Whenever anybody says they are going to give me some kind of award, I’m always a little stupefied by the notion,” Johnny told reporters covering the event. “The first thing I say is, ‘Why?’ I just go to work like anyone else, except my job happens to be a little stranger.”

Leslie Vanderpool, the founder of the Bahamas International Film Festival, sees things differently: she describes Johnny as “an icon” and one of the finest actors of his generation.

Sir Sean Connery, whom Johnny hailed as “the only James Bond,” presented the award–a large laquered wooden fish– at the Balmoral Club in Nassau. “I just wanted to say thank you for having me here,” Johnny said. “I’m thrilled and honored, certainly, to be in the company of Sir Sean, and yourselves as well.”

The Zone thanks Alice Springs, Emma, AnaMaria and Evochka for photos and news stories from the Bahamas Film Festival; you can read more on the News and Views forum and the Pit. To see a larger version of the photo of Johnny, CLICK HERE, and to see a photo of Johnny with Sean Connery and Leslie Vanderpool, CLICK HERE. Congratulations, Johnny! –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp arrives in Japan for PUBLIC ENEMIES premiere–new photos!

That’s Johnny Depp arriving at Narita Airport near Tokyo for the (long-delayed) Japanese premiere of Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, in which Johnny plays bank robber and media sensation John Dillinger. Reuters reports that “over a thousand screaming fans” greeted Johnny at the airport, and that he “shook hands with, took pictures and signed autographs” for the crowd. According to Reuters, “Many fans had waited for hours at the airport and broke down in tears when he walked over to greet them in person.”

Johnny has not visited Japan since the premiere of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in January 2008. One university student, who waited 28 hours to see Johnny, told Reuters, “Johnny decided to come to Japan at the very last minute so I cancelled everything, even my job interviews, because I know I’ll regret if I didn’t get to see him!”

To see a larger version of the portrait of Johnny, CLICK HERE, and to see a photo of Johnny greeting the crowd at Narita Airport, CLICK HERE.

The Zone thanks Emma, AnaMaria, GAO and Charlotte Depp for news updates and photos. You can read more about Johnny’s visit to Japan on the Zone’s News & Views forum; he will hold a press conference today and attend the premiere tomorrow. –Part-Time Poet

Graham King confirms THE TOURIST starts production in February

In a wide-ranging interview with Sara Wayland of Collider.com, producer Graham King confirms that his GK Films will start production in February 2010 on a “little movie” called The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Variety reports that Optimum Releasing has already acquired distribution rights to The Tourist–welcome news, given the tough market for independent films. While King concedes that “it’s definitely more difficult” to produce movies now, he’s not letting the harsh economic climate deter him.

“I have a film coming out next month with Mel Gibson, [. . . ] Edge of Darkness. I’m really, really pleased with that,” King said. “I’m starting production on this little movie in February, with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp (called The Tourist), and I have a film in post[-production] with Johnny Depp, called Rum Diary. I have another film in post with Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley, called London Boulevard, and an animated film with Johnny Depp, directed by Gore Verbinski, coming out in March 2011, called Rango. So, I have a few things going on,” the producer said with his usual understatement.

Graham King’s motivation is simple: “I love it. I just love what I do. I’m just so lucky to do this and work with such great people, like Johnny and Leonardo DiCaprio [for whom he produced the Oscar-winning The Departed]. . . . We are all just friends and families.”

The Zone thanks Sleepy for the Graham King interview and Theresa for the distribution update. To read the Collider interview with Graham King, CLICK HERE. You can read more about The Tourist on the Zone’s News and Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp on cover of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

A stunning photo of Johnny Depp by Brigitte Lacombe graces the cover of the December 11, 2009 issue of Entertainment Weekly–with the headline “Best of the Decade, 2000-2009.” Wow! The magazine honors 15 “Entertainers of the Decade,” but Johnny’s name heads the list: “From acting maverick to box office pirate king, the man behind Captain Jack ruled the first 10 years of this century,” EW writes. Inside the must-have issue are more treasures: a two-page article called “My Essentials” written by Johnny, in which he names his favorite films, music, and books; a paean to Johnny’s career written by Chris Nashawaty; and a spectacular full- page portrait by Ms. Lacombe.

To see a larger version of the Entertainment Weekly cover, CLICK HERE, and to see a version of the cover photo without lettering, CLICK HERE. The Zone thanks Mrs Pink for breaking the news; thanks also to Mrs Pink and AnaMaria for photos. As Entertainment Weekly says on their cover, Congratulations, Johnny! –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp nominated for a Grammy!

Congratulations to Johnny Depp and Douglas Brinkley, who received a 2010 Grammy nomination in the category of Best Album Notes for their extensive and beautifully written commentary for Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson–Music from the Film. The CD is available from Legacy Recordings.

The 52nd Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A full list of Grammy nominations is available on the website HERE.

The Zone thanks Theresa for breaking the news; you can read more about JD’s Grammy nomination on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet

BREAKING NEWS–Johnny Depp to receive Bahamas International Film Festival Career Achievement Award

Congratulations to Johnny Depp, who will receive the Career Achievement Award at the Bahamas International Film Festival! Sir Sean Connery, the original James Bond and Oscar-winner for The Untouchables, will present Johnny with the Career Achievement Award at a special tribute at the Balmoral Club in Nassau on Sunday, December 13th. “There is no actor better suited to receive BIFF’s highest honor,” said the film festival’s executive director, Leslie Vanderpool. “Johnny Depp is one of the finest actors of our generation and is, simply put, an icon. We’re all tremendously excited to bestow [. . .] this honor and celebrate his incomparable career.”

Noting Johnny’s oft-expressed love for his island in the Exumas, Ms. Vanderpool added, “What makes this tribute to Johnny even more special is that he has a home in the Bahamas and possesses a true love and appreciation for the region and culture. This will be an amazing and magical event for everyone involved.”

The Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, referred to Johnny Depp as “an esteemed resident of the Bahamas,” and told the press, “We are proud of all his remarkable achievements and the great contributions he has made in all walks of life. We are glad this prestigious award and tribute is going to almost one of our own.”

The Bahamas International Film Festival runs from December 10th through the 17th in Nassau–and what a lovely time of year for a visit to this tropical paradise. Tickets for the individual events, including the Career Achievement Tribute, are available from the BIFF website HERE. To read the official announcement of Johnny’s Career Achievement Award, CLICK HERE.

The Zone thanks Theresa for breaking the news; you can read more about Johnny Depp’s Career Achievement Award on the Zone’s News & Views forum.