Johnny Depp is.....

[Raph's Girl]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080925/...s_deppusfilm_2

Johnny Depp is becoming the new face of Walt Disney Studios. The actor will preside over the manic tea party in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" as the Mad Hatter and will play Tonto in "The Lone Ranger," whose latest screen incarnation is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Disney formally announced the casting Wednesday at a studio presentation. It also said it is officially in development on a fourth installment of "Pirates of the Carribean," which would see Depp reprise his popular role of Captain Jack.

On the "Alice" front, Depp and Burton -- who first worked together in 1990's "Edward Scissorhands" and most recently collaborated on "Sweeney Todd" -- have formed one of the longest-running director-actor partnerships in modern Hollywood. When Burton committed to filming a new live-action/CG-animated version of "Alice," Depp was touted as the most likely candidate to play the Mad Hatter -- after all, having worked with Burton on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," he's practiced in wearing a top hat.

Mia Wasikowska, the young Australian actress who appeared in HBO's "In Treatment," has the film's title role.

Matt Lucas, who stars in the sketch comedy series "Little Britain USA," which debuts on HBO Sunday, is set to play the dual roles of Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

"Ranger," meanwhile, puts Depp back in business with Bruckheimer, who produced the "Pirates" movies. Tonto is the Native American colleague of cowboy hero the Lone Ranger. The casting could stir up controversy with Native American groups, who might accuse the studio of putting a white actor in the role. One factor that could counter such an argument is Depp's mixed ancestry, which includes German, Irish, and Cherokee.

"Ranger" is being written by "Pirates" scribes Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and has no director at this time.

Tonto?! Somehow I don't see Johnny Depp as playing Tonto. He wouldn't be the first white man to play him tho as Irish-American John Todd was the first to play him before Jay Silverheels.

[Drtooth]

I don't see the call for a remake anyway. And will this affect the fact he was all but signed to play The Riddler in "Caped Crusader?"

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I don't see the call for a remake anyway. And will this affect the fact he was all but signed to play The Riddler in "Caped Crusader?"

I doubt this will effect anything. He's usually good on being in 4 or 5 movies a year.

[The Stryker]

Hold the phone.

Johnny Depp in a Tim Burton movie? NO WAY. Next thing you know he'll be playing weird but quirky characters!

[cqb101]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I don't see the call for a remake anyway. And will this affect the fact he was all but signed to play The Riddler in "Caped Crusader?"

Ummmm, he was never "all but signed". It's not even known if The Riddler is going to be the villain in the third Batman. It was nothing more than wild fanboy rumors.

Oh, and George Clooney as The Lone Ranger? Yes, please.

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headlin...=10244&count=0

[Drtooth]

The Lone Ranger thing is what throws me. I mean, classic character and all, but when was the last time Westerns were that relevant? And I'm not talking about those dramatic ones we have every so often.

[cqb101]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

The Lone Ranger thing is what throws me. I mean, classic character and all, but when was the last time Westerns were that relevant? And I'm not talking about those dramatic ones we have every so often.

Before the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, when were the last time pirates were relevant? Now look at how popular everything "pirate" is in pop culture. Not to mention, westerns are making a come back. Movies like The Proposition, 3:10 to Yuma, and the upcoming Appaloosa have all gotten almost universal critical praise. I say westerns are making a huge come back, and Disney wants to get in on that before it's too late.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by cqb101

Not to mention, westerns are making a come back. Movies like The Proposition, 3:10 to Yuma, and the upcoming Appaloosa have all gotten almost universal critical praise. I say westerns are making a huge come back, and Disney wants to get in on that before it's too late.

Well, I meant the more pop Western, like Roy Rogers, or Hopalong Cassidy. Something allong the lines of that. But I see what you're getting at.

Besides, the new Flash Gordon seems to be going well... and last time Flash Gordon was in a major hit (it wasn't so much in the 80's) people knew who Buster Crabbe was.