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.

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Johnny Depp Talks Sweeney Todd

Johnny Depp reveals how disturbing it was to film one scene in his new hit movie, Sweeney Todd.

The 44-year-old actor says that a simple flashback scene in 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' had him and director Tim Burton shaken to their cores. It was when young Sweeney's happy life before he was sent to prison by the judge. Although seemingly normal, the actor and the director who created the movie couldn't stomach it. "I think that was the weirdest thing I ever had to shoot," Depp says in an interview. "[Burton] literally was sobbing. He left the set of his own movie." The 49-year-old director says the melodrama of the scene was too much to bear. "That's when I knew [Depp] was a great actor, because that was terrible. That was so bad."

*****

"That and having to soap up Alan Rickman's face were two of the scariest moments, maybe of my life," quips Depp.

Sweeney Todd has gotten rave reviews from critics and has been nominated for a number of Golden Globe awards.

Posted on December 28, 2007
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Swashbuckling Good Time at Pirates of Carribean Premiere

Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom strike a pose at the world premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. From all accounts, the premiere was a great deal of fun. Held at Disneyland, the premiere was held in the park iteself, with all the rides open. Keira Knightley threated to ride the flume in her Chanel dress, but let's hope she was kidding.

The event was a virtual redo of the 2003 Disneyland premiere for the first Pirates pic, with a few exceptions — notably the attendance this time of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver, close friends of the film's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer. Shriver shocked with an eye-popping T-shirt: Michelangelo's David, bedazzled with purple gems over the famed statue's privates.

Outside the park, guests passed picketers from the Caribbean, protesting the film's portrayal of their people as cannibals. "I love that," an unfazed Bruckheimer said. "But the movie's make-believe." Star Johnny Depp made hundreds of fans happy by signing autographs for almost three hours. He then dashed down the carpet, waved to fans and boarded a pirate ship with his co-stars. The ship cruised around Tom Sawyer Island, stopping in front of a giant screen, where the film played until midnight and was followed by a fireworks display.

Screenwriter Terry Rossio revealed the likely title of the third Pirates film, due Memorial Day: At World's End, which ties to the film's cliffhanger ending. "It's the pirates' last stand; the end of an era," Rossio said of the third, which sees the introduction of Chow Yun-Fat as a Chinese pirate. The Caribbean scenes have all been shot, but the cast will reunite in late July and August to shoot interiors. in Disneyland's Pirates ride next year.

Chow Yun-Fat is going to be a Chinese pirate? What a great casting idea; we love it.

(Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com)

Posted on June 28, 2006
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Keith Richards Confirmed In Pirates of the Caribbean 3

IGN Film Force reports that Keith Richards will be appearing in the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Speculation of legendary Rolling Stone Keith Richards joining the cast of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequels has been raging on for more than a year now. Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow character exploded after the first film and Depp admitted that Richards was an influence. When news of the sequels traveled down the pipeline, stories immediately leaked that Richards would be playing the wobbly Captain's papa.

Through the shooting of the sequels, through set visits and early talk with the cast and crew, nothing official was confirmed. IGN FilmForce was able to take in a screening of the film earlier this week. Sadly, no Richards appeared.

So now, with the third film left, we took the question to director Gore Verbinski during our exclusive interview and he finally gave the answer we'd all been waiting for. "Keith is definitely going to be in the third movie… It's a small part, but it's a great part." So is he playing the father of Jack Sparrow? "No comment. To be interpreted."

We love it. But producer Jerry Bruckheimer voiced our worst fears when he noted: "I think we worked out some dates, as long as he doesn't fall out of any more trees..." Stay well, Keith!

Posted on June 27, 2006
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