The photo at left shows Johnny Depp and his new short haircut as he spoke to the press about his latest film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in Los Angeles on May 4th. One topic on reporters’ minds was how the filmmaking experience changed with the departure of POTC trilogy director Gore Verbinski. Johnny was happy to discuss the evolution of the Pirates franchise under new director Rob Marshall, and how Marshall’s background as a choreographer informed his directing style and affected Johnny’s performance.

“Certain names were mentioned,” Johnny said, “and when Rob’s name came up I thought, ‘That’s got to be it. Let’s just hope he’s a nice guy.’ I’ve seen all of his films and he’s got a great sensibility. He’s got a great and unique approach to characters; his aesthetic sense is magnificent and his timing is perfect. So we sat down and talked, and from the first second I knew he was the guy. I just knew it.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better who could have come in and followed Gore,” Johnny added. “Rob’s approach was very respectful of what Gore built in the first three films, but at the same time he has his own signature. He gave it a very new angle; he brought a brand-new pair of eyes and a fresh look.”

Another thing Rob Marshall brought to the filmmaking, Johnny said, was his choreographer’s sense of timing. “He was incredibly efficient. [. . .] His approach was ‘let’s stay true to the heart of the story and have fun while we’re doing it.’ He has an incredible sense of timing, and his timing, his delivery, comes out of his knowledge of choreography. But boy, if you’re off just the slightest second in terms of delivery, he was on it.”

The Zone thanks Emma for sharing the interview — you can read it in its entirety on the Zone’s News & Views forum HERE. To see a larger version of the photo of Johnny from the Los Angeles press conference, CLICK HERE, and to see a full-length version of Johnny, with rolled-up white shirtsleeves displaying his tattoos, CLICK HERE. The Zone thanks Evochka and AnaMaria for sharing pictures.