If you were directing a dark, stylized movie set several centuries ago, who would you cast as your leading man? Chances are, you said, "Johnny Depp." The 42-year-old actor has proven himself a master of that genre in films like Sleepy Hollow and From Hell, so of course, he was director Terry Gilliam's first pick for The Brothers Grimm, opening this Friday. Unfortunately, when Gilliam began working on the film, Johnny wasn't the success that he is now, as a result of Pirates of the Caribbean. For that reason, movie bosses suggested that he cast Matt Damon, but even Damon was confused. He tells the Chicago Sun-Times that he asked Gilliam, "'Why isn't Johnny Depp doing this movie?'...Terry looked at me and said: 'We don't want Johnny Depp. We want you.' I kept staring at Terry, who finally said, 'Miramax Films wouldn't make it with Johnny.' I stared at him harder, and Terry finally admitted: 'Matt, you're my second choice.'" Hopefully, the pick will pay off for ailing Miramax at the box office. It would be a shame if Harvey Weinstein couldn't afford another new car this year.
(By Kate Lanahan)
POSTED BY Kate Lanahan
on August 25, 2005 12:14 PM|