When it comes to director-actor collaborations, most people think of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Tim Burton, the veteran filmmaker, commented on his run of films with Johnny Depp. From one picture to another, beginning with the 1990’s Edward Scissorhands, Depp would play the lead in a bunch of Burton’s films.
There was, of course, the classic combo of Paul Thomas Anderson and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Samuel L. Jackson is a casting coup for Quentin Tarantino every time he uses him in one of his films. And Christopher Nolan definitely has a rotating cast of performers for his recent movies. But Depp and Burton are interesting to watch, delivering something almost macabre that keeps you guessing.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s journey together
The highly acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker revealed how he met his perfect match in Johnny Depp when they first collaborated on 1990’s Edward Scissorhands, in which the famed actor played the titular role opposite Winona Ryder, another regular Burton collaborator.
The team has collaborated on eight films since working on a fantasy romantic picture about an artificial guy with scissors for hands. Burton directed many films with Depp at the helm, including the title role in 1994’s Ed Wood, Ichabod Crane in 1999’s Sleepy Hollow opposite Christina Ricci, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2007. Johnny Depp is also Burton’s son’s godfather. The actor perfectly summed up their friendship: “He’s blood. He’s family.” Tim Burton in an interview gave his opinion about Johnny Depp. He said,
“I connected with him when I met him for Edward Scissorhands: He was similar to me, kind of suburban white trash. It was not even a verbal understanding. It was something I could feel. He liked the characters, he was interested in acting for the art of it, not the business of it. It was exciting to see somebody play different things, the idea of this transformation from film to film always excited me.”
Tim Burton also collaborated with the Pirates of the Caribbean actor on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a 2005 film based on Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s novel. In the same year, Depp portrayed Victor in Corpse Bride, alongside Burton’s longtime wife Helena Bonham Carter, who just parted after 13 years together. Depp also appeared as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland and as Barnabas Collins in the 2012 Dark Shadows adaptation.
Tim Burton teases Johnny Depp’s comeback with his film
Although it appears that Johnny Depp’s popularity has dwindled since the abuse claims surfaced, his long-time colleague, Tim Burton, has not abandoned him. Burton stated in a recent interview that he would work with Johnny Depp again, saying that he searches for the ideal person for all of his projects. He stated,
“If the right thing was around, sure… I think with anybody, you just, I never work with anybody even with my friends, it’s not like a party so I always would like to try it with him or anybody to kind of go; what is the part? What is the thing? And then is it the right thing, is it the right character? I take things on those basis and no others.”
Although Burton is open to casting Depp again, the actor has had few jobs since the defamation lawsuit began, and even before that. Depp’s reputation has clearly suffered major losses in recent years, and with a dramatic reduction in acting jobs.
Despite the issue, Depp maintains a devoted fan following and a large number of supporters. In the forthcoming French film La Favorite, the actor will play King Louis XV. Depp will also participate in the Savage X Fenty fashion show, which will be accessible on Prime Video on November 9th. Wednesday, Burton’s forthcoming Netflix series, premieres on November 23.
