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5 Ways Johnny Depp Can Rebuild His Faltering Career
His last two movies flopped and his current one may be shut down – how can Johnny Depp salvage his once unblemished reputation?
Johnny Depp has always been seen as the antithesis to your classic Hollywood star, your Tom Cruises and your Keanu Reeves’, a pretty boy actor, but one seemingly uninterested in fame and being a celebrity, happy to supplement his big budget flicks with smaller, semi-arthouse fare. Depending on who you talk to he’s either a bohemian, trendy, magnetic screen presence, or just another bankable, go-to-guy for quick bucks under a different guise – not so much the antithesis of Cruise et al, rather the same type of actor but playing to a different, yet equally massive market. Whatever you think of him, there’s no denying he’s been Hollywood’s hottest property for many years.
However, all is not well in the world of Mr. Depp. His last two films, passion project The Rum Diary and his latest Tim Burton collaboration Dark Shadows bombed, critically and financially. The budget for his latest Disney project The Lone Ranger is spiralling out of control, causing major studio panic, with it having been threatened with shut down once already. Is this the end for Johnny? Surely not, not if he does any one of these five things anyway, starting with the most important…
1. DUMP TIM BURTON
Tim Burton is, to my mind, the worst director in the history of the world, one who has a visual style as infuriating as it is repetitive, and who doesn’t have an original idea in his head. In fact, since Edward Scissorhands in 1990, only 2 of his subsequent films have been original stories, Mars Attacks and Ed Wood, and the others have included some truly fucking awful remakes: Planet Of The Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, to name three of the worst offenders.
The fact that he continually casts Depp alongside Helena Bonham-Carter isn’t in itself a bad thing, Wes Anderson has achieved glorious results with his regular troop of Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman et al., but their creative relationship has grown at best stale, and at worst like a carton of milk that’s as lemon squeezed into it before being left out in the sun for cats to piss all over. We all know what we’re going to get from Depp and Burton, the mystery, if there ever was any, is gone, and if he chooses to do one more froth-goth, dark-Disney, cop-out contract filler, then it could be the final nail in a coffin even Barnabus Collins couldn’t escape from…if you didn’t see Dark Shadows then you might not get that joke, but in the grand scheme of things you’re probably better off.
We all know what we’re going to get from Depp and Burton, the mystery, if there ever was any, is gone
2. WORK WITH QUENTIN TARANTINO
In some ways Tarantino could be the perfect fit for Depp, it’s a wonder their paths haven’t crossed creatively already. Arguably Tarantino’s greatest skill is his ability to pick apart contemporary pop culture and an exemplary knowledge of film throughout the ages, mix it all together and pour it out over celluloid. He did it with John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, taking an actor still associated with song and dance performances in Grease and Saturday Night Fever and making him do the jive with Uma Thurman, thereby creating a scene that will go down in the annuls of cinema history.
Also, Tarantino still commands a great deal of critical respect as well as being a huge box office draw. There is something larger than life about his characters that would suit Depp, and it’d give him a chance to do a picture more grounded in reality, to cast off the weighty shackles of Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands once and for all.
Or, he could just…
3. PLAY A SUPERHERO
Maybe the best thing right now is to stick to what has made him the most money and gained him the most plaudits in recent years, namely, take on a franchise? Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man showed the world that a superhero can be idiosyncratic as well as charismatic, two qualities which Depp has in spades. Around the time the third installment of Batman was being discussed there were quite a few rumours flying around suggesting Johnny Depp may be cast as The Riddler, but with DC rebooting the franchise for the sake of a Justice League film, could Depp provide the right blend of authenticity and eccentricity to play the caped crusader in a world more akin to the comics?
Could Depp provide the right blend of authenticity and eccentricity to play the caped crusader in a world more akin to the comics?
4. TREAD THE BOARDS
Maybe the problem isn’t with Depp, maybe it’s with cinema in general? Maybe he’s tired of the repetitive nature of the process, the constant travelling, the press junkets, maybe he needs a break?
The stage could be perfect. One of his huge strengths as an actor is his way with language, the fluidity and poise with which he can sail through dialogue. By the same score, he’s an excellent physical comedian, as his performances in Edward Scissorhands and Benny & Joon will prove. Also, who wouldn’t want to see Johnny Depp live?
5. BE A SUPPORTING ROLE
When was the last time you saw a Johnny Depp film that wasn’t “a Johnny Depp film”? He’s so much the leading man that all the pressure is on his shoulders, especially in his Burton films, where supporting characters like The Mad Hatter are shoe-horned into top billing. Even Pirates Of The Caribbean quickly became a vehicle for Depp, with subsequent films built around his performance and not much else, and if Disney don’t shit their pants then a 5th instalment of the franchise is very much on the cards.
There’s a wonderful kind of osmosis that comes from a good cast, where no-one star is there to outshine. Think of the scintillating chemistry between George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson in O Brother, Where Are Thou?, Brad Pitt’s brief frenetic excellence alongside Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys, or the way all the actors in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy jostle for position, it’s a joy to watch.
I think Johnny Depp would thrive in this environment, able to bounce off other actors, playing a minor role with major dramatic implications, a character with less screen time but one who is integral to the story.
There is one other option for Depp, and that would be to just take a break, work on producing or writing for a few years, get out of the spotlight that shine so brightly on him whether he likes it or not. Then he could come back with a second wind and return to form. This would be my preferred choice, if only because it would definitely mean we don’t get any Tim Burton shit for the next few years. I live in hope…
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COMMENTS
100% agree. And if Burton is the Worst Director In The World, then his accomplice-in-crime Danny Elfman is the Worst Composer In The World. Apart from The Simpsons Theme (1989 folks), EVERY score he does sounds like Michael Keatons Batman. Laziest composer in American history....
Took the words right outta my mouth.
Must have been while I was kissing you
I personally think Tim Burton is the Best Director in the World, and I love all of his and Johnny's collaboarations, they have their own unique style and I think that that's important movies.
I'm agree only in part...Yes about Burton ,but not to take a break..I want to see him but with a good director and in a good movie with a good script!! I asking too much?
I agree with you. There's something tragic about him. I love him.
Agree 100%... but surely the question is can the big D act at all? So far the roles for which he is famous entail a great deal of camping it up, tongue in wotsit, look Goffy,, add some more eye liner sort of stuff. He can deliver the goods... but does he want to? Is he holding out for an "ultimate role"? If he is stay well clear of Burton and his hangers on. I would love to see him deal with Richard III or Shylock - yes, Will S. Pacino and Hoffman really came alive after working with the RSC - perhaps JD needs to take note...
You would have to have me come out with his political situation in public, have him cut ties with ill work, then he would be free to start over. His body of work is so compromised, coupled with his age, it is a recipe for disaster. Here is my point... measurement and street design on maps means an enormous amount to masons. My family founded Sudbury, that inspired Smallville in the original Superman comic. The first printing of Superman was in the Toronto Star, and the Daily Planet was inspired by that Newspaper's building. The address of the Toronto Star is 1 Yonge Street. Yonge Street is the longest street in the world, its length is in leagues. So the legacy of my work is related to 1 Yonge Street, and all of the masonic design that it represents. The end of Yonge Street is in Barrie where it becomes Burton. So everything that represents Burton is contrary to Yonge Street. I was particularly fond and invested in Johnny Depp at the start of his career. It seems that Burton caught onto that, and steered Johnny into works against my interests, yet as I was fond of him, he became as a human shield in a sense. If you view our works they go back and forth as an interweaving of relation through the years. I have been tearing into it lately as life moves fast, and it would be sad to have Johnny come to be nothing more than a bad puppet. So he will have some rough times, yet as said the only thing that may make a clean slate is me. If you like, write to me for more.
I can only agree with #4 & #5. I love Tim Burton, but what's more important is that Mr. Depp loves Tim Burton. They are amazing friends who love working together. If you don't like what they produce, don't go see it. But don't tell Mr. Depp who he shouldn't work with. By the same token ... don't tell him who he SHOULD work with. Personally, I would hate to see him do a film with Tarantino. His stuff is way to violent. And it's not even necessary violence. It's just violence for violence's sake ... meant to shock and totally unnecessary. And play a super hero? Really??? What a stupid idea. Somehow I can't imagine Mr. Depp prancing around in tights and a cape. Just not his style. Now, doing live theatre would be wonderful. Marlon Brando told him he should play Hamlet while he was still young. Well, he might be a little long in the tooth to play the Danish prince now, but I can think of a number of plays he could be brilliant in! And I agree it would be good to see him in a supporting role again, such as his role in Chocolat. Or seeing him opposite someone really good, like when he did Secret Window with John Turturro. (Too bad they couldn't get someone better to play opposite him in Public Enemies ... Bale was just plain booooring!)
All valid points. Maybe he should stop calling himself Johnny, acting like he's 25, and try a serious, straightforward role.
Never rated Depp, one good role as Joe Pistone, then along came the pirates franchise and copper fastened my opinion even more, as for burton, lord god thalk about a one trick pony
Tarrantino, Depp and a remarke of The 7 Faces of Dr Lao anyone?
Thought he stunk up the place as Willy Wonka. Might as well have spat in Gene Wilder's face.
He needs to play something that grounds him again. i reqlly liked Ben Affleck in company Men. Depp should consider somethign that requires him to act as a grown up not just ham it up as Keith Richard.
Disagree. The reason people don't stay on top or continue to do well is because the people don't support them. IMO the American culture in particular is all about over-praising someone or something in one moment, and then turn around and bash anything in relation after. Americans have lost their sense of humility, loyalty, and sentimentality. IMO People are having an existential crisis, because things all around us are changing. We don't know who we are, or what we want, so praise our own opinions and have become rather extroverted by telling everyone every where the next thing "we're doing". There's no thoughts, just actions with out consequences. Mr. Depp has been Mr. Depp through and through. He hasn't dramatically changed, because of what the public thinks. It's the public that won't stand still and who irrationally expects too much, especially considering where a lack of thought is seemingly considered in the time of poor English and where the "hate" is the talk of the town, and not the love.
Laura, I agree he hasn't changed too much but maybe he could have taken on some roles which required more subtlety and empathy, I fear he cannot play those roles so he chooses to overact.
Simon, "Dead Man", "Finding Neverland", and "The Man Who Cried", "Public Enemies" are rather great and emotionally serious roles for him. It's true that maybe his roles often stem around 'growing up' or coming of age stories, but again it's the public's perception that coming of age "should" only be be for young men/women, when in IMO we all can come of age at any time in our lives, as coming of age is about dealing with change, such as LOSS, and being able to continuously learn from our experiences through out our lives.
Yes there's a comedic over the top campy aspect to Burton's films, but there are also stories about love, stories about families woven within. Pirates of the Caribbean also has deeper aspects about choices, freedom, imperialism, and the consequences of using nature (magic), and monotheism verses pluralism. -Davy Jones Locker is hell that is based on a person's worst fears (so the sanario is different for different people), For Sparrow it wasn't just not moving (having freedom), but also being stuck with himself, as then he would have to deal with his conscience...That is why the reboot with Angelica and more openly exposing Tim Power's Novel (On Stranger Tides) was so brilliant for the fourth film, because the next arc is Jack Sparrows' and dealing with the consequences of his past...If people would look closer, they could look underneath the surface glitter of these films and find interesting philosophical thought, but I am not sure if they know what it is, or they care? -But then they argue that surface glitter is enough? Again, I am not sure the viewers know themselves very well and film industry and it's celebs is suffering heavy criticism for it.
Whether for his career or just to be a good person in life, he needs to leave tRAsee his agent.
Interesting philosophical thought is one thing, piss poor acting is another. Sorry, I just don't rate him at all. You like him, fair do's, you are not alone.
He must be mates with Charlie Higson, maybe he could get involved witht he Young James Bond stories an commit them to film. Use his leverage to bring them to the screen and choose a part in them.
Ed Wood is a phenominal film - thinking Tim Burton is a bad director is as ridiculous as it is pig-ignorant.
Some really interesting suggestions here, but I feel I also have to stand up for Mr Depp against the accusations that he can't actually act (made in the comments, not the article). The thing is that Johnny Depp can be an incredible actor, but he does seem to have got himself into a rut where he's making some poor choices when it comes to parts. I strongly suspect that being a father made him want to start making films his kids could actually see him in, it's just a shame that even his choices for other films seem to be rather poorly made. I'm not sure I agree with the first 3 suggestions made in the article, though admit that he should not so readily keep signing up for Tim Burton films until Burton can start making decent films again. As mentioned above, I'm not convinced that working with Tarrantino due to how excessively violent his films are, but then again I do love True Romance (and just think how much that backs up suggestion #5, as Pitt was again on top form in that film.) As for superhero films, I just think that would encourage Depp to overact & camp things up too much, which surely most fans want to discourage. With Depp going through such a huge shift in his personal life right now, maybe we should just all give the poor bloke a break though. Hopefully he'll go back to making the films his fans love to see him in, if not, it's hardly as though he's harming anyone.
Tim Burton has made a good few turds. You could name at least 3 good ones though. Not shit.
one thing is for sure about Johnny Depp, is that he is still superb in acting whether action or a bit goofy sometimes. He's still handsome for me. Love him :)
you forgot to suggest STOP MAKING CAPTAIN JACK MOVIES!!! By the way, i think he would rather write than go on stage.
I wish my career was in such disarray.
Yup, ditch Burton, hes done some decent movies and some stinkers, but Depp needs a fresh take, people are tired of their collaborations and maybe deep down, he is too... Actually doing something like being The Riddler would have been ace, being a bad guy and a quirky one at that (without being Tim Burton quirky) would work really well... Maybe lose the fake British accent too, he can pull it off, but that shits getting old...
Hey!!!....fuk pulling off the fake british accent!!... What about a montage of him pulling off Burton whilst the smoulderings remains of his wife ....(Burtons pocket pseudo goth nightmare).......gives an impressive,slightly outa-focus 70's hammer house of horror...."feel".........i think it all started to fall apart when some bright-spark gave him the script for willy fkn wonka.....and the bastard chocolate factory of career doom!!!....any story with kids n chocolate should be handled like a shit filled flaming parcel......whats next on the slab??......a Jackson movie with Depp takin the lead role???.....and and and......the alice in wonderland debarkle!!......i give up.........i give.....up
I Think Mr Depp is a great actor and admire the roles he has chosen to play throughout his career.I also admire the relationship that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have together they're great friends as well as work mates ..Whats wrong with that?? P.S. If what I'd heard about Johnny Depp being approached to play the part of George Formby is true and he should happen to come to Wigan, Would be Nice to meet him :-)
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