
Deppaholics Anonymous News and Updates!
Johnny Depp news Sept. 6, 2005--Depp adds another quirky candy tycoon to his
repertoire of oddball characters
By Chris Betros
Johnny Depp
TOKYO — Johnny Depp has often been referred to as one of Hollywood's chameleons, for his ability
to play so many offbeat characters.
His latest effort, as eccentric chocolate tycoon Willy Wonka, in Tim Burton's "Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory," is no exception. With his clip-on teeth and garish make-up, Wonka is another in the
42-year-old Depp's long line of unique characters, among them Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood,
Ichabod Crane, James Barrie and pirate Capt Jack Sparrow. Charlie reunites Depp with Burton for their
fourth collaboration (a fifth — the stop motion feature "Corpse's Bride" is due out later this year).
"Ever since I met Johnny for 'Scissorhands,' each time he has been more amazing," said Burton, 47,
during a visit to Japan this week with Depp. "He likes to act strangely and wear funny costumes. That's
the sort of person I like to work with." For his part, Depp described Burton as someone he can have
complete trust in.
Depp, who was last here in 1995 to promote "Dead Man," received a rousing reception at Narita airport
when he flew in by private jet. Nearly 2,000 fans were on hand to greet him, and at his news
conference, a couple of hundred waited in vain outside the room. Depp seemed touched by the
reception, although he doesn't give much away.
He speaks slowly and softly, sometimes not sure what he is supposed to say. Dressed in jeans, brown
jacket and with a flannel shirt tied around his waist, he looked quite cool with his grungy, casual chic
style. He is still sporting a beard from his just-finished sequel to "Pirates of the Caribbean."
"Charlie" is a remake of the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," based on the book by
Roald Dahl. It tells the story of five children who win a candy bar contest. Their prize is a tour of a
giant amazing factory run by the eccentric candy mogul Wonka, who has more than just a tour in mind
for the kids.
Both Burton and Depp said they felt some pressure to be faithful to the book (rather than the first film).
"I think Tim felt more than me," said Depp. "I felt a responsibility to be true to the author's intent about
who Wonka might be."
In the U.S. media, there has been a lot of talk that Depp based his characterization of Wonka on
Michael Jackson, among others. "Actually, Tim and I talked a lot about where Wonka was coming
from. My foundation for the guy was all those children's TV show hosts I saw as a kid. They had this
bizarre speech pattern and rhythm. Once I find a character, then everything else falls into place." Of his
choices, Depp said: "I like to explore different possibilities. Beyond that, it's all about having fun, really."
Depp said he got a buzz when his six-year-old daughter Lily-Rose and three-year-old son Jack visited
him on the set one day. "I was decked out in Wonka gear. They were stunned. After about three
minutes, my son said, 'Dad, you're really weird.'" Depp, his partner, French actress Vanessa Paradis,
and their kids alternate between homes in Los Angeles and France, and he has said that his children
have made a big difference in his work life.
On the other hand, Burton's son is too young to think anything of his father's work yet. The director
said the birth of Billy Ray, his 18-month-old son with British actress Helena Bonham Carter, hasn't
really influenced his work. "If anything, I think I'd be more inclined to make an alien or horror film.
That's what the experience was like," he joked.