Johnny Depp, the star and the heartthrob of the 90s became the talking point of the season when his face crowded every other channel, social media platform, stories, and content during his ensuing defamation trial against Amber Heard. The star who was once the ubiquitous favorite of the masses suddenly became a point of contention, divisive fan reactions, and a subject of endless debate on issues of domestic violence, the abuser, and the abused.
However, much before the actor being infamous for his life beyond the reels, he had a demand that was unprecedented solely because of how unique his skillset was. The idiosyncratic actor who became a frequent collaborator of Tim Burton was once also approached at the beginning of the new century for a classic hit in the making. Naturally, he said no.
Johnny Depp Turns Down George Clooney’s Movie Offer
The 90s brought too many classic hits to the audience to keep track of them all. Ranging from Forrest Gump to The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction to Mission: Impossible, and the unparalleled Fight Club, the final decade of the 20th century was truly a marvelous time to be a lover of the cinemas. However, the following decade became the harbinger of even greater masterpieces: Gladiator, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Christopher Nolan’s works.
Among all of it, Johnny Depp became the undefeated Captain of the cursed Black Pearl, a Disney character who was almost a caricature-like anti-hero, different from the usual Disney princes and knights. The film suited his talents just as much as Depp loved being the pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. So when a relatively normal people movie role dropped on his lap via fellow industry actor and acquaintance, George Clooney, he very righteously decided to tell him to “f–k right off!”
George Clooney Gets Sent Away By Captain Jack Sparrow
The leading man of the epic Steven Soderbergh heist trilogy: Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen, George Clooney was also the frontman helping his director accumulate the best, most famous, ensemble cast of A-listers the industry had ever seen. Ranging from the fresh Oscar-nominee Matt Damon to vetted industry veteran Elliott Gould, Ocean’s Eleven had all and then some.
But despite getting to bicker with Brad Pitt throughout the film and steal back his girl, Julia Roberts from the fantastic Andy Garcia, the sole potential cast member whose rejection hurt Clooney the most was Johnny Depp.
“Some very famous people told us to f**k right off… Johnny Depp. There were others. They regret it now. I regret doing f**king Batman.”
Although his role in the film was never disclosed had he actually agreed to come onboard the Soderbergh vehicle, it is difficult to imagine any among the eleven brilliant casts being replaced with Depp’s presence and performance.
Ocean’s Trilogy is available for streaming on Prime Video.
Source: Variety
