Johnny DeppHis acting career exploded after starring in Tim BurtonIt’s a 1990 classic Edward scissor hands, but before he landed the lead role, there were eight other actors considered. The role could easily have gone to another actor and the list of actors nominated for the role was interesting.
It might be hard to imagine now, but Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Tom Hanks, Robert Downey Junior., John Cusack, Gary Oldmannand even William Hurt they were in the running for the part. Then, of course, Michael Jackson he wanted to play the character.
Depp recently said that Cruise “wasn’t that far from actually playing Edward Scissorhands – true story, and that with so many A-list actors up for the part, he almost turned down the chance to audition despite desperately wanting to the role.
The actor spoke about the first reading of the script saying that “it went through everything, everything, it’s solid and it got to the core of whatever I am. The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful. What I suppose [attracted] emotionally it was that Edward was me. That’s exactly what I should do.
But all the A-list talent vying for the lead role made Depp feel like Burton “will never cast me when everyone in Hollywood is looking for the part.”
Depp recalled: “Tim is really juggling because he gets impressed by his agent, the studio, everyone. So I called my agent after reading the script and said, “Please cancel the meeting, I’m not going.” He said, ‘Are you fucking crazy?’
He added: “It was weird because there’s always that bastard in your skull saying, ‘Come on, man. You’re a TV actor because at that time it was almost oo.”
Depp “eventually gave in” and agreed to the meeting with Burton, and the rest is history.
Hanks could have accepted the role, but decided to give it up in order to star in the film Bonfire of the Vanities. Cruise was considered for the role while he was filming Days of thunder, Burton decided he didn’t want such a big star. He was looking more for an emerging actor. Someone with a more indie appeal.
As for Jim Carry, he was on the rise and was placed on a short list of possibilities, but evidently things didn’t go in that direction. William Hurt actually approached the producers for the role of Edward Scissorhands, but Burton was looking for a younger actor.
Burton actually offered the role to Gary Oldman, but after reading the script he turned it down because he didn’t fully understand it. He told Larry King: “I read the script and thought, ‘This is ridiculous. A castle at the end of this street and then an Avon lady comes along selling makeup and this guy has scissor hands? This is crazy. I don’t understand it at all.'”
John Cusack was one of the first actors Burton considered casting in the film. In fact, Edward Scissorhands screenwriter Caroline Thompson originally envisioned Cusack in the lead role.
Robert Downey Jr. could have been cast, but he was in the middle of filming Air America with Mel Gibson at the time. Thompson told Insider: “There was a party somewhere where Robert Downey was being feted as Edward. I’m not sure why this happened.
Then there was Michael Jackson, who actively pursued the role, but Burton was more interested in hiring an actor for the role instead of a big pop star. Thompson said: “I guess Michael Jackson wanted to do it. I guess he chased Tim. Tim didn’t chase him.
Thompson explained that the role had to go to a very specific actor, and she initially thought the idea was “the stupidest idea [she’d] never heard of it [her] life.”
The initial reaction to the project, however, changed for her and she said: “It’s brilliant. No need to struggle to understand what it means, it’s right there on the sleeve. If I can’t understand a film with sound, it’s not worth watching for me. Films are films. Not words. What could be clearer than a boy with a set of scissors for hands that he can’t fit?
Ultimately, Depp was the perfect actor for the role. He brought the character to life in a wonderful way and I would say the casting was inspired. He was able to tell Edward’s story through his wonderful facial expressions and eyes, as the character speaks less than 150 words in the entire film.
Thompson said Depp “gave a beautiful, beautiful performance”.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
