Johnny Depp has shared the names of the actors he beat to one of his most iconic roles.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who has faced controversy in recent years, was a major movie star in the 1990s and 2000s. He appeared in many films directed by Tim Burton, including Edward Scissorhands, which is considered his breakout role. At that time, Depp’s acting credits included the TV show 21 Jump Street, small roles in A Nightmare on Elm Street and Platoon, and a lead role in John Waters’s Cry-Baby.
Depp, who wanted to avoid being typecast as a teen heartthrob, actively pursued the lead role in Burton’s 1994 film. The movie is about an unfinished artificial humanoid with scissor blades for hands, who is taken in by a suburban family.
According to Depp, several actors, including Tom Hanks and Michael Jackson, were considered for the role. However, one star came very close to getting it: Tom Cruise.
In a new documentary series about Burton, Depp said: “Tom Cruise was not far away from actually playing Edward Scissorhands – true story.”
Depp revealed in the docuseries that he was sure he wouldn’t be cast because “everyone in Hollywood was after the part.” He recalled telling his agent after reading the script, “Please cancel the meeting; I’m not going.” His agent responded, “Are you f***ing nuts?”, noting that there was always doubt in his mind, thinking, “Come on, man, you’re a TV actor guy.” At that time, transitioning from TV to film was challenging.
Burton previously mentioned that Fox pushed him to meet with Cruise, who was then successful with Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, and A Few Good Men. Burton said he was never convinced Cruise was right for the character. “He certainly wasn’t my ideal, but I talked to him,” Burton said, adding, “He was interesting, but I think it worked out for the best.”
Despite Depp’s claim, it’s believed Hanks was closer to getting the role than Cruise. Reports suggest Hanks was offered the role but turned it down to star in Brian De Palma’s infamous flop The Bonfire of the Vanities.
Other actors considered for the role included Gary Oldman, who turned it down, as well as John Cusack, William Hurt, and Robert Downey Jr.
Reflecting on the role that earned him his first Golden Globe nomination, Depp said, “It passed through everything, anything, solid and went to the very core of whatever I am. The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful.”
Depp added, “What I suppose attracted me emotionally was that Edward was me. It’s exactly what I should be doing.”
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