Johnny Depp

SF Gate.com reports that Keira Knightley has named actor James McAvoy, with whom she stars in Atonement, as the best kisser she’s ever had. What?! This from a woman who’s been lucky enough to kiss Johnny Depp! What gives, Keira?

Of course, it was reported that Johnny said that he found kissing Keira uncomfortable, due to their age difference and the fact that he had met her when she was only 17. I guess that could contribute to it. And I guess kissing is a somewhat subjective experience and different for all of us, but still…

Johnny Depp, Depp, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Atonement

Both Johnny Depp and his Pirates co-star Keira Knightley will be attending the Venice Film Festival, which began yesterday, along with other A-list celebs like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Jude Law. Keira’s film, Atonement, was chosen to open this year’s festival.

Great news! The episode of Inside The Actor’s Studio starring Johnny Depp is set to be released on November 20th! Originally, the episode was scheduled to be released in May of this year. Then, release was moved to September, and then it was taken off the schedule completely. Hopefully, all merry-go-round of scheduling is all resolved, and we’ll be watching Johnny on November 20th. There are some great moments with Johnny in this episode, so be sure to get it!

Also, according to the website TV Shows On DVD, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is scheduled for an early December release. I haven’t heard an exact date on it yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

Add the release of Sweeney Todd to all this, and it looks like it’ll be a great holiday season for Johnny Depp fans!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Inside The Actor’s Studio, Pirate of the Caribbean, Sweeney Todd

Warner Brothers has asked Tim Burton to cut parts of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Studio execs have become squeamish over some of the extremely bloody early footage from the Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration. The film currently merits an R-rating, and the studio wants it re-cut, so that it can be released with a PG-13 rating.

In the film/play, Todd’s victims are sat in a mechanical chair, where they are subject to a slice across their throats, before a trap door in the floor opens and they slide down a chute into the lair of Todd’s mistress, Mrs Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter), who uses the dead bodies to make her meat pies. One scene that is said to have particularly bothered the studio bosses involved a “ten-year-old boy cutting up body parts, which were then thrown into a meat grinder and turned into mince.”

This is nothing short of absurd! I realize that the idea is to make the film accessible to as many people as possible, but come on! You’ve made a movie about a man who takes absolute delight in murdering people by slitting their throats and having his girlfriend make them into meat pies-and you want it to be less bloody?!

Leave Tim Burton alone. The man has proven time and again that he knows what he’s doing.

Johnny Depp, Depp, Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Teens proved that they can, occasionally, pick out a good actor! At Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards, Johnny Depp was selected Choice Movie Actor in an Action Adventure Movie for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, over co-star Orlando Bloom. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End also won as Choice Action Adventure Movie.

Also winning Teen Choice Awards were Keira Knightley as Choice Actress in an Action Adventure Movie, and Bill Nighey (Davy Jones) as Choice Movie Villain. For a complete list of winners, go to Fox News.

Congrats to Johnny and his co-stars!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Teen Choice Awards, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighey, Pirates of the Caribbean

Today, for your reading pleasure, here are some great Johnny Depp quotes from various interviews over the years.

“I can remember being totally fascinated with Bela Lugosi and the Dracula films when I was five years old, and I can remember sitting in class in first grade and drawing pictures of Dracula and Frankenstein. I remember it like it was yesterday,” Depp says. “And when I was a kid, in about 1968, I was completely, utterly obsessed with a television show called Dark Shadows.”

That gothic soap opera featured ghosts and werewolves. Its central character was a vampire named Barnabas Collins. “I wanted to be Barnabas Collins,” Depp laughs. “And I wanted the cane with the wolf’s head on it. For my parents, that must have been a very scary thing. ‘Where did we go wrong?’ ”

Sleepy Hollow interview for the Winnipeg Sun, November 1999

One of the greatest pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten in my life was from my Mom. When I was a little kid there was a kid who was bugging me in school. And she said, “Okay, I’m going to tell you what to do.” She said, “The kid’s bugging you. He puts his hands on you, you pick up the nearest rock, or whatever you can get your hands on, and you lay him out.” And I did! And I felt better. And it worked. So, for me, that was a great lesson because someone had invaded my space; invaded my being, you know, and was doing something against me that I didn’t want to be done. So I took control of the situation and I ran with it.

And many years later, after being turned into a product by a very huge corporation that had their hands all over me and I couldn’t escape it, I promised myself that I would continue to move forward and do my best not to compromise in any way whatsoever; not allow anyone to put their hands on me and affect me in that way. So that’s the best advice that I could give, is just to keep moving forward, and don’t give a shit what anybody thinks, you know. Just keep moving forward and do what you have to do for you.

Johnny Depp, Inside the Actors Studio, 2002

Charlie Rose: Why ‘Lily-Rose’?

Johnny Depp: In fact it was the only name that we’d come up with for a girl, ‘Lily-Rose’. We both loved the name ‘Lily’, and I think Vanessa’s mom suggested the ‘Rose’ part. My mom’s name is Betty-Sue and we wanted something that sounded kinda like ‘Betty-Sue’, that sort of southern thing. So ‘Lily-Rose’. And ‘Melody’, which is her middle name, was after a Serge Gainsbourg song called ‘Melody Nelson’.

Charlie Rose: So her name is Lily-Rose Melody…

Johnny Depp: Depp. She’s something!

Charlie Rose: Man, you really look happy!

Johnny Depp: I’m floating… I’ve never, ever in my life - I haven’t lived before that day. I was not alive. I existed. I imagine that I drew breath and exhaled and all that stuff, but I don’t have any particularly fond memories of it. I mean, I don’t think I took a real breath until my daughter was born.

Charlie Rose Show, November 1999

There’s that word that you don’t quite understand what it means, which is ’satisfaction’. Then there’s that great big question mark: What’s it all about? What’s it all for? You start thinking, ‘Am I just an actor? A puppet? Am I one of those ambitious cretins who’s just looking for accolades and applause and recognition?’ I’m happy to say I found out that I’m not.

Johnny Depp, The Big Issue February 2002

Johnny Depp, Depp, Johnny Depp quotes, Johnny Depp interviews, Dark Shadows

Here’s the latest Sweeney Todd photo, courtesy of Movies Online. The photo features Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, and Alan Rickman, as Judge Turpin. This will be a fascinating movie!

If you’re interested in background information on the real Sweeney Todd, you can find it at Court TV’s Crime Library They have fascinating information on Sweeney Todd from his birth, through his crimes and up to his trial and death. There’s also info on the Broadway show, and how the legend of Sweeney Todd came about.

Johnny Depp, Depp, Sweeney Todd, Alan Rickman, Court TV, Johnny Depp movies

Johnny and Orlando Bloom are both in the running for best male performance in the first ever British National Movie Awards, reports Metro.co.uk. Both are up for their roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

Also up for best male performance are Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint for their respective roles as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix. And rounding out the nominees is Daniel Craig for his first turn as James Bond in Casino Royale.

The British National Movie Awards are chosen by public vote. Those nominees should make for some pretty difficult choices! I’d vote for Johnny in the end, but I have to say that I’m also a big Harry Potter, so it would be difficult for me!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Daniel Craig, Casino Royale, James Bond, British National Movie Awards

I posted recently regarding Johnny portraying vampire Barnabas Collins in an upcoming movie version of the TV gothic soap “Dark Shadows.” Now, I find out that the original “Dark Shadows” is, at last, being released on DVD! According to the Bay Area Reporter, the first set of DVD’s will be released later this month. I can’t wait! I’ve long been a fan of the original series, so this is something I’m really looking forward to seeing.

Here’s a copy of the article from Bay Area Reporter:

Depp shadows

Variety reported last week that Johnny Depp is set to take the lead in a film adaptation of 1960s TV show Dark Shadows, as vampire paterfamilias Barnabas Collins.

Sez the trade pub: “Depp has said before in interviews that he was obsessed with the show as a kid, and wanted to be Barnabas Collins as a child, so it looks like he’s got there at last. He’s developing the film with Warner Bros. producer Graham King and his own production company, but it’s a little way down his To Do list. He’s just wrapped Sweeney Todd and still has Shantaram in development, as well as a project about murdered spy Alexander Litvenenko.”

While we wait for Depp’s new take, we’re cheered to hear the first stirrings of the Gothic soap opera TV series will be released on DVD later this month. Dark Shadows: The Beginning (MPI Home Video; $59.98) presents the series’ early episodes before Barnabas’ arrival. Among the disc’s highlights is the complete unedited premiere episode, with its original 1966 commercials intact.

The creation of producer Dan Curtis, Dark Shadows tells the tale of the Collins family, a seemingly white-lace patriarchal dynasty that runs a New England town out of their family estate. Into this world enters young nanny Victoria (Alexandra Moltke), who soon learns there’s more to the family than meets the eye.

The series later went into overdrive when mysterious relative Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) moved into the dilapidated estate next door. Soon the household was beset with werewolves, witches and ghosts. The cast included Joan Bennett, Louis Edmonds, and Barnard Hughes. DVD bonuses are a new Dark Shadows introduction with Moltke (Victoria Winters); a Dark Shadows history with Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans); the original network promo; and episodes 1-35.

The photo above is of actor Jonathan Frid, the original Barnabas Collins. Can’t you just see Johnny in this role?!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Dark Shadows, Jonathan Frid, Variety, Graham King, Sweeney Todd, Shantaram, Dan Curtis, Alexandra Moltke, Kathryn Lee Scott, Barnabas Collins, Barnard Hughes

A portion of all that pirate treasure that Captain Jack Sparrow and his mates have hauled in over three Pirates of the Caribbean movies can now be yours!

Don’t forget to enter the 451 Press comment contest! It’s easy to do. Just comment on any site at 451 Press sometime in the month of August! That’s all there is to it! You will be automatically entered into our prize drawing to win $300, $200, or $100! Now, that’s easier than pillaging and plundering, isn’t it?

And just think of what you could do with the money! Over on Ebay, there’s tons of Johnny stuff at auction-from autographed pictures and scripts to DVD’s! You can add to your collection, or put it in a fund to spend on tickets to Johnny’s upcoming movies. And with everything he has in the works right now-Sweeney Todd, The Rum Diaries, Shantaram-and the list goes on-you’ll be spending lots on tickets!

So, don’t forget to enter our contest in the next couple of weeks! Get yourself some treasure!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean, contests, prizes, drawings, Sweeney Todd, The Rum Diaries, Shantaram, 451 Press

Johnny’s Pirates of the Caribbean co-star, Keira Knightley, is the new face of Chanel. And is her ad ever sexy and gorgeous! Keira’s posed only in a strategically placed bowler hat and white shirt!

A Chanel spokesman was quoted on Sky Showbiz as saying:

“We think Keira is perfect because she is always incredibly alluring and seductive.

“She would not have looked out of place in the ’40s or ’50s, and that’s why she was chosen - to show a timeless chic that will never fade.”

Former faces of Chanel include Kate Moss, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, and none other than Johnny’s prettier half-Vanessa Paradis! Keira can hold her own with any of them!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Keira Knightley, Chanel, Vanessa Paradis, Kate Moss, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, Pirates of the Caribbean

The latest Tim Burton-Helena Bonham Carter collaboration is personal-their second child! Helena’s publicist confirmed to E Online that the couple are expecting their second child together. The two have been a couple since they met on the set of Planet of the Apes in 2001. Their son, Billy Raymond, will be four in October.

We all know of Tim’s many collaborations with Johnny Depp-including Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. Helena has been included in some of those collaborations-the aforementioned Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as the upcoming Sweeney Todd. Helena’s latest appearance sans Tim Burton is as Deatheater Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The child of the talented twosome arrives later this year, and they are very happy. We wish them and their baby the good health and the best of luck!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Planet of the Apes

Have you seen the movie “Stardust” yet? If not, go shell out your money at the very first opportunity. It’s well worth it! Especially Robert DeNiro. DeNiro plays the swashbuckling Captain Shakespeare, a flying pirate captain, who enjoys dancing and dressing in women’s clothes! The scene in Captain Shakespeare’s cabin where DeNiro does the can-can dance is hilarious! Shades of Jack Sparrow!

Most critics seem to love DeNiro’s performance, including IESB.net:

Robert DeNiro, my first major issue with the casting when it was announced, is wacky, wonderful, and Oscar nomination-worthy. I can assure you that if he doesn’t float your sense of humor boat, you should really look to see if your funny bone has hit an iceberg recently.

Everyone in this movie was seemingly tailor-made for their parts, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes also excellent in their roles.

Johnny Depp, Depp, Captain Jack Sparrow, Stardust, Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes

Here’s a preview photo of Johnny as Sweeney Todd and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, thanks to Broadway World. Look and enjoy!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter

I found this video of Johnny and former girlfriend Kate Moss at YouTube. The interview was done back in 1995 on the British show “The Breakfast Club.” In it, Johnny and Kate talk about the “War Child” charity, and the interviewer asks Johnny about his tattoos. There’s also a funny bit where Johnny compares the paparazzi to “mosquitoes and gnats!”

Take a look and marvel at how Johnny looks as though he hasn’t aged a bit since then! Enjoy!

Johnny Depp, Depp, Kate Moss, The Breakfast Club, War Child, Johnny Depp interviews