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In a significant casting announcement, critically acclaimed actor Timothée Chalamet has been confirmed to take on one of Johnny Depp‘s most renowned roles.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Legal Battle
The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard legal battle captivated headlines last year during their $150 million defamation lawsuit.
Depp filed the lawsuit, seeking $50 million, while Heard counterclaimed for $100 million, following her Op-Ed in The Washington Post where she detailed her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse.
In a trial presided over by Judge Penney Azcarate, held in Fairfax County, Virginia, last summer, the jury found Heard largely guilty of defaming Depp. Depp, through his former lawyer Adam Waldman, was also found guilty of defaming Heard.
The majority of damages were awarded to the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
The defamation case in the United States came after Depp’s loss in a highly publicized libel trial at the London High Court almost two years prior.
Justice Andrew Nicol ruled in favor of The Sun and its parent group, News Group Newspapers LTD, stating that claims of domestic abuse made against Depp were “substantially true.”
This ruling led to Depp’s exclusion from Hollywood, resulting in his departure from major commercial blockbusters such as the Fantastic Beasts franchise and the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean series.
While Depp’s role as Gellert Grindelwald in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter spinoff was swiftly recast with Mads Mikkelsen, the fate of his iconic character Captain Jack Sparrow remains uncertain.
The proposed sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie led by Margot Robbie seems to be in limbo, and recent comments from producer Jerry Bruckheimer suggest the possibility of Depp’s return.
However, neither Depp nor The Walt Disney Company has confirmed anything at this time.
A Storied Career of Johnny Depp Movies
Johnny Depp’s filmography spans almost four decades, with his portrayal of the charming pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise being his most commercially successful.
However, his career includes a diverse range of roles, from early works like A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) to cult classics such as Donnie Brasco (1997) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
Depp’s collaborations with renowned director Tim Burton are particularly noteworthy, with films like Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Ed Wood (1994) gaining recognition.
Their partnership continued into the 2000s with movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), and the live-action Disney remake Alice in Wonderland (2010).
The latter, in which Depp portrayed the Mad Hatter, surpassed the billion-dollar mark at the global box office.
The Return to Wonka’s World
This upcoming holiday season, audiences will revisit the enchanting world that Depp made his own almost two decades ago.
Director Paul King and Warner Bros. Pictures are set to release Wonka on December 15, 2023.
Serving as a prequel to Roald Dahl’s classic tale, the film features Timothée Chalamet stepping into the shoes of a young Willy Wonka, a role previously played by both Depp and Gene Wilder in the original film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971).
While Depp portrayed Wonka in Tim Burton’s 2005 reboot, the focus of this prequel will be on Wonka’s earlier years, and therefore, there will be no appearance of Charlie.
The movie boasts an impressive cast, including Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and Keegan-Michael Key.
At CinemaCon, it was also announced that British acting legend Hugh Grant would join the cast as an Oompa Loompa, adding further anticipation to the film.
A sneak peek of the film was unveiled at CinemaCon, giving eager fans a glimpse into Chalamet’s portrayal of the magical chocolatier.
According to Variety, the trailer showcased Chalamet singing, dancing, and displaying his charm as he embarks on a quest for magical recipes.
The footage teased the whimsical and eccentric nature of Wonka’s confectionery creations, including the famous everlasting gobstoppers and snozzberries that propelled him to fame.
