JOHNNY DEPP may be a multi-millionaire Hollywood heartthrob, but Jonathan Pryce has revealed how he feels sorry for him.
The Flintshire-born acting veteran, who starred alongside the international sex symbol in the block-busting Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy, admitted he was despondent about the state of the film industry and how today’s actors have become trapped by their own fame.
“The film industry in Hollywood is in absolute crisis,” said 62-year-old, who played Keira Knightley’s loving but ineffectual father Governor Weatherby Swann in the swashbuckling film series.
“Getting funding for one-off, low- budget films is impossible, all they’ll do is carry on repeating the big blockbusters – in fact, they’re talking about Pirates of the Caribbean four, five and six now.
“I did the first three because I really couldn’t see any good reason not to, and I find a trip to the Caribbean can always twist one’s arm,” he laughed.
“But nobody expected it to be the huge success that it became, and these sequels, well, I think it’s incredibly short-sighted of the industry and it doesn’t do the public justice really.
“It was the audiences who discovered how good Pirates was in the first place, and they should be given the opportunity to discover other newer and greater things,” said Pryce, bemoaning how he felt the importance of celebrity had been blown beyond anything he’d ever experienced while making his name as an aspiring thespian.
“Actors today, I feel sorry for them,” he added.
“Johnny Depp seems to manage to live a quiet life, and I’ve been around Madonna and she’s very clever, how she handles that publicity. She lives or falls by her public image and never complains.
“But these young people – their lives are tyrannised.”
Pryce, who’s currently enjoying huge critical stage acclaim for his role as a vulnerable tramp in Harold Pinter’s seminal The Caretaker, claimed the same malaise gripping the movies had also spread to the arts world at large.
“It is harder today because, when I started out, theatre was flourishing and you had the chance to play a whole range of parts,” he said. “That happens less and less now and it’s difficult to stay within one company for a length of time to hone your trade.
“And it is hard, even for my generation of actor, to find good work today. It just isn’t out there.”
It would seem the audiences still are however. Pryce’s stab at Pinter has resulted in sell-out shows just across the border from his native North Wales at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, where he first trod the boards 40 years ago.
“It’s one of those plays you graduate through in the course of your life,” smiled Pryce who imbues the role of the bearded, dishevelled Davies with a mellifluous Welsh lilt, the first time that character’s been played that way since Warren Mitchell in 1980.
“Back then I was a young buck playing the hustler Mick alongside Warren, and I always wanted to know what was going on in Davies’ head.
“This was my opportunity because they’re pulling the old Everyman down to redevelop it, so I felt I had to do it for sentimental reasons.”
Not too sentimental though – Pryce admitted the first thing he did upon arriving there all those years ago was to buy a tin of paint and decorate his dressing room.
“I spent most of the technical rehearsal doing that,” he laughed.
“Not because I was told to, but because it was such a bloody dump.”
Nov 7 2009 by Nathan Bevan, Western Mail
Wales Online
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Depp to give Lone Ranger's Tonto the Jack Sparrow treatment
Jerry Bruckheimer is developing a new movie based on The Lone Ranger, the popular western hero from radio plays and movie serials, and Johnny Depp is attached to play the Native American sidekick, Tonto.
Bruckheimer said to expect Depp to do for Tonto what he did with Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.
"[Pirates writers Ted] Elliot and [Terry] Rossio worked on that also with some other writers and with Johnny [Depp]," Bruckheimer said in a group interview last week in Santa Monica, Calif. "So they're creating something that has a kind of true-to-the-western [feel], but adding other additional elements like we did with Pirates so it won't be just a straight-ahead western."
Depp's choice to play the Native American sidekick fits the actor's quirky tastes. Bruckheimer has his work cut out for him finding a lead who can make a good Ranger to a superstar Tonto.
"We're still creating a pretty wide net and figuring it out," Bruckheimer said. "It comes down to who is available when we want to make it. We have a wish list."
The Lone Ranger is in development for a tentative 2012 release date.
scifiwire.com
Bruckheimer said to expect Depp to do for Tonto what he did with Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.
"[Pirates writers Ted] Elliot and [Terry] Rossio worked on that also with some other writers and with Johnny [Depp]," Bruckheimer said in a group interview last week in Santa Monica, Calif. "So they're creating something that has a kind of true-to-the-western [feel], but adding other additional elements like we did with Pirates so it won't be just a straight-ahead western."
Depp's choice to play the Native American sidekick fits the actor's quirky tastes. Bruckheimer has his work cut out for him finding a lead who can make a good Ranger to a superstar Tonto.
"We're still creating a pretty wide net and figuring it out," Bruckheimer said. "It comes down to who is available when we want to make it. We have a wish list."
The Lone Ranger is in development for a tentative 2012 release date.
scifiwire.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Alice In Wonderland Extended Trailer
An extended trailer for Alice in Wonderland is available on Spike TV's website. Click here to view the trailer.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Depp/Richards Scream Award Video *ADDITIONAL VIDEO ADDED*
A video of Johnny presenting Keith Richards the Rock Immortal Scream Award is available on Spike TV's website. The awards will be televised tonight, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. EST on Spike TV.
Click here to for a link to the video on Spike.com
ETA: Corina has found the following video on youtube that includes Johnny's acceptance of the award for Alice in Wonderland and his presentation to Keith.
Click here to for a link to the video on Spike.com
ETA: Corina has found the following video on youtube that includes Johnny's acceptance of the award for Alice in Wonderland and his presentation to Keith.
Monday, October 26, 2009
'Parnassus' makes stellar bow in Italy
Opening screen average is year's third highest
Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” has struck box office gold in Italy.
The fantasy, featuring Heath Ledger’s final screen perf and also toplining Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, has earned $2.7 million in its first weekend -- its biggest opening in any territory so far -- and scored the country’s third-highest per-screen average in 2009 -- a boffo $11,870 -- from 227 locations. That put it at No. 2 on the weekend B.O. chart.
Pic preemed at the Rome Film Festival earlier this month before its local bow via Moviemax. By contrast, “Parnassus” pulled in $1.5 million from 330 screens in its first frame in the U.K., the first place it was released, bowing Oct. 16 via Lionsgate. “Parnassus” bowed in Spain this weekend to $333,000 from 73 screens via Sony.
“Almost two years after his death, Ledger has a huge fanbase which, along with the rest of the stellar cast, certainly contributed hugely,” said Moviemax distribution chief Roberto Proia. “We also found out that teenagers massively love Gilliam, and we did not expect this. He really has rock star status.”
Moviemax, which released “Parnassus” in Italo arthouses and multiplexes, will now expand the pic to at least 300 screens.
“Parnassus” will open Stateside on Dec. 25 via Sony Pictures Classics.
Posted: Oct. 26, 2009, 7:26am PT
By NICK VIVARELLI
Variety
Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” has struck box office gold in Italy.
The fantasy, featuring Heath Ledger’s final screen perf and also toplining Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, has earned $2.7 million in its first weekend -- its biggest opening in any territory so far -- and scored the country’s third-highest per-screen average in 2009 -- a boffo $11,870 -- from 227 locations. That put it at No. 2 on the weekend B.O. chart.
Pic preemed at the Rome Film Festival earlier this month before its local bow via Moviemax. By contrast, “Parnassus” pulled in $1.5 million from 330 screens in its first frame in the U.K., the first place it was released, bowing Oct. 16 via Lionsgate. “Parnassus” bowed in Spain this weekend to $333,000 from 73 screens via Sony.
“Almost two years after his death, Ledger has a huge fanbase which, along with the rest of the stellar cast, certainly contributed hugely,” said Moviemax distribution chief Roberto Proia. “We also found out that teenagers massively love Gilliam, and we did not expect this. He really has rock star status.”
Moviemax, which released “Parnassus” in Italo arthouses and multiplexes, will now expand the pic to at least 300 screens.
“Parnassus” will open Stateside on Dec. 25 via Sony Pictures Classics.
Posted: Oct. 26, 2009, 7:26am PT
By NICK VIVARELLI
Variety
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New Johnny Depp's Music section on Depp Impact
I've created a new section that gives a brief history of Johnny's involvement in anything music-related for Depp Impact's main site . You can access Johnny Depp's Music through a link in the Johnny Depp Info box on the main page in the second column or by clicking here.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Keith Richards on Johnny Depp, the Scream Awards and talking like a pirate
You never know who you're going to meet at the Scream Awards -- last year I found myself standing between Marilyn Manson and George Lucas -- and this year didn't disappoint. Not long after I arrived at the Greek Theatre for the taping of this year's show I was whisked off to a trailer for an unexpected interview with a guitar hero who qualifies as true rock royalty -- even if he was tapping his cigarette into an ashtray he had just made out of aluminum foil.
"I've never see one of these shows," Keith Richards said with a rasp and a chuckle, "but it sounded like fun and when I heard Johnny was going to be involved, I said, 'Well, at least I'll know somebody there.'"
Richards meant Johnny Depp, of course, the actor who based a good bit of his Jack Sparrow screen persona on the bleary, decadent charm of the Rolling Stones guitarist. Depp even brought Richards into the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise for a cameo as Sparrow's father. For the youngest generations of movie fans, the 65-year-old musician actually may be better known for his sea-dog duty than he is for playing the signature riffs in "Satisfaction," "Gimme Shelter" and "Start Me Up."
"Yeah, it's always cropped up, ever since I was in the movie and some kids even think I'm Johnny's dad," Richards said. "Like his real dad. That's not so bad, right?" Then, with a wink, he added: "We might enlarge upon that in another movie."
Depp may be the biggest movie star in the world right now, but later, during the taping (shown in photo above), he was the picture of respectful deference to Richards as he presented his British elder with the Rock Immortal Award. It's a trophy that maybe they should call the Rock Undead Award, considering its past winners were Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. Those previous winners have long and interesting careers but they can't really compete with a member of the Stones as far as pop-culture heft. I said as much to Richards and, behind a haze of smoke, he grinned. "Yeah, really, we're going uptown now."
Richards and Depp were born 20 years and an ocean apart, but their close friendship has become a topic of fascination. Rolling Stone (the magazine, not the band) put the pair on its cover in 2007 with a story that read like a long valentine to a pair of roadhouse souls who just happen to be wildly rich and famous. The pair met in the mid-1990s and Richards talks of Depp as a peer, not a protege.
"We've grown together," Richards said."Funny enough, I met Johnny through my son, Marlon, who said, 'Dad, this my mate, Johnny.' I knew the name but not much more. He was just a friend of my son's, I didn't know more than that. It's been grand."
Richard needed to get going, so I asked one last question: Looking back on rock and its history, was it strange to him that we've reached a point where young consumers show more marketplace enthusiasm for buying ring tones and guitar-playing video games than albums?
He shrugged and said it was all just part of the evolution of a revolution. "It's interesting how the music has pervaded everywhere. You have video games now and movies and commercials and TV. You can't get escape it. There's the air you breathe and there's rock 'n' roll."
As I left the trailer I noticed that Depp had been waiting patiently right outside the door for his turn to visit with his pal and, when he did enter the smoky trailer, he had a big smile on his face.
SCREAM AWARDS, airing 8 p.m., TUESDAY, OCT. 27 on SPIKE TV
-- Geoff Boucher
October 23, 2009 | 3:44 pm
LA Times
"I've never see one of these shows," Keith Richards said with a rasp and a chuckle, "but it sounded like fun and when I heard Johnny was going to be involved, I said, 'Well, at least I'll know somebody there.'"
Richards meant Johnny Depp, of course, the actor who based a good bit of his Jack Sparrow screen persona on the bleary, decadent charm of the Rolling Stones guitarist. Depp even brought Richards into the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise for a cameo as Sparrow's father. For the youngest generations of movie fans, the 65-year-old musician actually may be better known for his sea-dog duty than he is for playing the signature riffs in "Satisfaction," "Gimme Shelter" and "Start Me Up."
"Yeah, it's always cropped up, ever since I was in the movie and some kids even think I'm Johnny's dad," Richards said. "Like his real dad. That's not so bad, right?" Then, with a wink, he added: "We might enlarge upon that in another movie."
Depp may be the biggest movie star in the world right now, but later, during the taping (shown in photo above), he was the picture of respectful deference to Richards as he presented his British elder with the Rock Immortal Award. It's a trophy that maybe they should call the Rock Undead Award, considering its past winners were Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. Those previous winners have long and interesting careers but they can't really compete with a member of the Stones as far as pop-culture heft. I said as much to Richards and, behind a haze of smoke, he grinned. "Yeah, really, we're going uptown now."
Richards and Depp were born 20 years and an ocean apart, but their close friendship has become a topic of fascination. Rolling Stone (the magazine, not the band) put the pair on its cover in 2007 with a story that read like a long valentine to a pair of roadhouse souls who just happen to be wildly rich and famous. The pair met in the mid-1990s and Richards talks of Depp as a peer, not a protege.
"We've grown together," Richards said."Funny enough, I met Johnny through my son, Marlon, who said, 'Dad, this my mate, Johnny.' I knew the name but not much more. He was just a friend of my son's, I didn't know more than that. It's been grand."
Richard needed to get going, so I asked one last question: Looking back on rock and its history, was it strange to him that we've reached a point where young consumers show more marketplace enthusiasm for buying ring tones and guitar-playing video games than albums?
He shrugged and said it was all just part of the evolution of a revolution. "It's interesting how the music has pervaded everywhere. You have video games now and movies and commercials and TV. You can't get escape it. There's the air you breathe and there's rock 'n' roll."
As I left the trailer I noticed that Depp had been waiting patiently right outside the door for his turn to visit with his pal and, when he did enter the smoky trailer, he had a big smile on his face.
SCREAM AWARDS, airing 8 p.m., TUESDAY, OCT. 27 on SPIKE TV
-- Geoff Boucher
October 23, 2009 | 3:44 pm
LA Times
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