Johnny Depp’s breakout performance in Edward Scissorhands will remain one of Tim Burton’s all-time favorites. Several suggestions came Burton’s way for the lead role in the film at the time, but Depp had always been his choice for the role. However, the popular demand for the role did concern the Pirates of the Caribbean actor and his imposter syndrome kicked in.
Depp was so wrong about the inner thoughts that almost pulled him away from the role. He snatched the role from the likes of Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks and delivered one of the most eccentrically amazing performances.
Johnny Depp Almost Lost Edward Scissorhands Due to His Imposter Syndrome
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have a long list of collaborations together. Their first film was the 1990 film, Edward Scissorhands, where Depp played the artificial humanoid with scissors for hands, who fell in love with Winona Ryder‘s character. Depp also worked for Burton in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland, Dark Shadows, and several other films.
However, Depp did not exactly jump at the chance of doing Edward Scissorhands. For Hollywood, he was the ‘teen idol’ after starring in the hit TV series, 21 Jump Street. At that time, his role in Cry Baby proved crucial in filmmakers and producers seeing him in a different light. In a recent interview for a Tim Burton documentary, Depp revealed how he thought the director wouldn’t cast him.
When the script came to him, Depp was immediately attracted to it as he found the writing and character to be beautiful. He told director Tara Wood in the documentary (via PEOPLE), “What I suppose [attracted] me emotionally was that Edward was me. It’s exactly what I should be doing.” However, he became skeptical when he got to know that everyone in Hollywood wanted the role.
Burton was popular in Hollywood with his two hit films, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Beetlejuice. His imposter syndrome was so bad that he called his agent to cancel the meeting with Burton. However, his agent was not going to back down and Depp finally gave in. He shared (via PEOPLE):
He’s never going to cast me when everyone in Hollywood is after the part. Tim’s really juggling because he’s getting hit by his agent, the studio, everybody. So I called my agent after reading the script and said, ‘Please cancel the meeting, I’m not going.’ She said, ‘Are you f**king nuts?’
Depp further shared what was going through his head at the time. He shared that his inner voice kept telling him that he was a TV actor and he would never get cast in the film over other big film actors. He shared:
It was weird because there’s always that bastard in your skull that goes ‘Come on, man. You’re a TV actor guy.’ Because at that time it was almost either-or.
Depp’s Edward went on to become an iconic character. The character’s gothic-style makeup with the bird’s nest hairstyle was something revolutionary for a lead character in Hollywood. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $86 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).
Who Did Johnny Depp Beat For The Edward Scissorhands Role?
According to Metro UK, 20th Century Fox urged Tim Burton to cast Tom Cruise in the lead role. Burton even met with the actor, as he shared later, “He certainly wasn’t my ideal, but I talked to him. He was interesting, but I think it worked out for the best.” Los Angeles Times reported that Cruise exited the role, citing the film’s “lack of virility”.
The reports also suggested that Tom Hanks was approached for the role but turned it down in favor of Bonfire of the Vanities. Gary Oldman also turned down the role, while William Hurt and Robert Downey Jr. both expressed interest. Interestingly, Michael Jackson actively lobbied for the role but Burton allegedly ignored him completely.
Edward Scissorhands is now available for streaming on Disney+. The first part of the four-part documentary on Tim Burton premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10.
