“Are you crazy?”: Burton didn’t want to cast Depp in “Edward Scissorhands” until recently, and that’s because of who

The main role in the film “Edward Scissorhands” became a breakthrough for Johnny Depp, but the young artist at that time had to prove his right to film for established Hollywood stars. And the director was ready to make his choice in favor of more experienced colleagues.

In a documentary about Tim Burton, which was first shown in New York in mid-June, the popular actor admitted that when he heard that Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson and Tom Hanks would be coming to the casting, he almost gave up on the audition.

“He’ll never cast me in a role that everyone in Hollywood is dreaming of,” I thought. On top of that, Tim was rushed by the agent, the studio and everyone else. So after I read the script, I called my agent and said, “Please cancel the meeting, I’m not going.” She said, ‘Are you crazy?’” Depp recalls, laughing.

Moreover, Tom Cruise prepared to the last moment to get the coveted role, purchasing scissors instead of brushes. The performance of a young actor who had already seen major Hollywood projects impressed Burton just enough to approve his candidacy, but Depp still managed to convince the director.

“I had imposter syndrome, but Tim and Caroline Thompson’s script captured the essence of who I was, with Edward being me, which certainly resonated with me emotionally. This role is exactly the one I should have played,” Depp admires his colleagues.

As a result, after “Edward Scissorhands,” the young actor became Burton’s favorite and starred in his films “Ed Wood,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and several others.

And if in the West you simply cannot find another like Johnny Depp, then in Russia the artist has a charismatic double.

Author: Alexey Pletkin