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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
In Touch With . . . Johnny Depp
Reprising his colorful character Captain Jack Sparrow in the new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was something Johnny Depp was eager to do. “I just feel like I’m not done. … He’s a fun character to play. I was really not looking forward to saying goodbye to him.” And fans of Depp and the character are happy he feels that way. As a matter of fact, Depp says he is willing to keep reprising the character for years to come, as long as the audiences still want to see more of him.
“I was definitely never a crowd pleaser,” Depp says about his past film career. “[I] may not be after this one, you never know,” he laughs. “I was very surprised, incredibly surprised, [and I] still am that Pirates did as well as it did and that the character made some friends out there. I am still surprised and touched.” Contrary to his onscreen persona, Johnny Depp is a quiet man who speaks softly and seems to care genuinely about his audience and fans.
Having been on screen since 1984 – with only a few big hits – Depp was excited to be a part of a blockbuster film. “I had about 20 years of sort of studio defined failures. To me they were all great successes because we got them done. In terms of what struck a chord with Pirates - I said for a long time - I really believe that [the] studios were underestimating the intelligence of the audience or their needs.”
Johnny Depp credits his family with grounding him emotionally. “I’ll tell you what made it a lot easier to roll with the punches for me was having kids,” According to Depp, as soon as he learned his longtime companion, French actress Vanessa Paradis, was pregnant, his whole outlook on life changed. “Knowing that I was going to be having a kid, that put a lot of things in perspective for me - like instant perspective. I think for a number of years I was frustrated by the whole thing. I didn’t understand any of it. But in terms of success or career or all that stuff, it never made any great deal of sense to me so I guess when I found out Vanessa and I were going to have a baby, [I found] out what’s important like real quick,” he says while snapping his fingers.
When asked about his wonderfully creative and eccentric characters (Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow, to name two), Depp lightheartedly retorts, “You’re saying I’m a weirdo?”
The Disney theme parks have revamped their Pirates of the Caribbean rides, adding Johnny – aka Captain Jack Sparrow – to the characters. He provided some input into what the character in the ride should say, which is something that excited the actor. Being part of a theme park ride is a new experience. “Boy, that’s so exciting,” he says.
Depp is currently finishing the third Pirates film, and hoping there will be more to come. In the meantime he has a couple of announced projects in the works, and is even talking with Tim Burton about doing the musical Sweeny Todd for film. When asked if he sings, he doesn’t waste any time answering with a big grin, “Not yet.”
The character of Jack Sparrow has catapulted Johnny Depp into the category of film icon. With his enormous success he seems to have remained a mild-mannered man. His quick wit and sense of humor make him a favorite among audiences. Although he cares deeply about his fans, Depp is foremost a father who adores his children. It might seem strange to think of Captain Jack Sparrow as a loving and devoted dad, but after talking to Johnny Depp, it’s easy to see the actor in that role, the most important role of his life.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
Photo: ©Disney Enterprises. All rights reserved .
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