Since the beginning, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have had a strong working connection, which has resulted in many memorable films and endeavours.
The dark fairy tale ‘Edward Scissorhands’, in which Johnny Depp starred as the compassionate, misunderstood guy with scissors for hands, gave birth to their collaboration. They formed a creative bond during the course of making this movie, and they went on to work together on many other projects.
Their creative chemistry was shown further in films like Ed Wood (1994), in which Johnny Depp played eccentric real-life director Ed Wood, and Sleepy Hollow (1999), in which he played Ichabod Crane in a retelling of Washington Irving’s classic story.
Depp’s portrayal of the mysterious Willy Wonka in the 2005 adaption of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the most well-known partnerships between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. His eccentric and unusual performance gave the character a distinctive dimension that set it apart from Gene Wilder’s earlier interpretation. Their collaboration continued with the gothic musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), in which Depp portrayed the malevolent barber Benjamin Barker.
Tim Burton recently commented on his relationship with Johnny Depp in an interview and said
“I guess it’s like Burbank, only worse… it’s like a family,”
Tim Burton also said about Disney.
“I can look back and recognize the many, many positives of working there, and all the opportunities I’ve had. I can acknowledge each and every one of those very deeply, and very positively. Equally, on the other side, I can identify the negative, soul-destroying side. As in life, it’s a mixed bag.”
Tim Burton On Johnny Depp Replacement
Tim Burton has confirmed what a lot of fans already believed to be true. He is engaged in production of the Beetlejuice 2, which has been temporarily halted due to the ongoing strikes in Hollywood. Producing Beetlejuice 2 was, in his words,
“Going back to why he liked making movies.”
He also said
“That’s why it is hard for me to watch the movies afterwards, because I still feel the emotional whatever of it,” Burton said. “I don’t get a release from that. But I do enjoy all the people I’ve worked with. On this last one, Beetlejuice 2, I really enjoyed it. I tried to strip everything and go back to the basics of working with good people and actors and puppets. It was kind of like going back to why I liked making movies.”
After much anticipation and rumour, Beetlejuice 2 is finally happening, with Tim Burton returning to direct and Michael Keaton returning to play the lead role. However, the recruitment of one key actor suggests Burton has found a suitable Johnny Depp replacement and Helena Bonham Carter replacement too.
Along with reuniting old favourites like Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, the new film also stars Willem Dafoe, Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, who is reportedly the director’s new lover. Johnny Depp was one of the actors interested in the endeavour.
Nevertheless, Burton’s remarks essentially confirm that Depp won’t be working on this project. Jenna Ortega is currently one of the biggest stars in film and TV, so it’s not surprising that the rumors turned out to be true and she’s now going to star in Beetlejuice 2, but this also shows that she’s now Tim Burton’s new top star, taking the place of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Many fans had hoped that Johnny Depp would return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series as Captain Jack Sparrow even though he won’t be appearing in Tim Burton’s movie and has been replaced in the Fantastic Beasts franchise from Warner Bros. Disney has indicated it is “noncommittal” on the actor’s comeback despite reports that Depp has remained open, and the studio is purportedly moving forward with scripts that don’t feature Captain Jack Sparrow.
