April 26, 2024
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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
Totally agree. The only time I ever thought of a connection between WW and MJ was when I read one of the first comparisons.
Watching the film, I honestly didn’t think of MJ once.
All a matter of opinion, I spose, by I just don’t see it at all.
purely on the movie? ur right. his look in the ads? he does look like mj.
I agree with you David…it’s just lazy to jump on the Wonka/MJ bandwagon. I don’t even think he looks like MJ in the film but his portrayl has nothing to do with the King of Pop.
I guess we’ll never know who Depp based it on. He usually does base some aspect of character on someone or something. Most actors don’t give away their acting choices though. It is against policy.
He has said he based it on several kids show hosts that he remembered from when he was a kid himself.
…or so I think that’s what I read.
I don’t know whether to believe him. He is an actor after all. Then again everyone still buys he based his Captain Jack on Keith Richards.
After this effort, is there any doubt he is the best working actor in Hollywood today? Has he ever played even a variation of the same role?
Just a coincidence but Finding Neverland also got the Michael Jackson stigma attached to it.
I’ll disagree to a point — mainly because Depp’s mannerisms (on several occasions) were very childish/childlike; he did seem to be an adult who to some degree related to things on a kid’s level.
There’s not a one-to-one correlation, but to me Depp was closer to Jackson than Howard Hughes (a name I’ve heard he apparently used as some inspiration).
I lean towards the Hughes comparisons. That was the first thing I thought of.
See, I thought FINDING NEVERLAND was very MJ-esque…but just because there were so many parallels in the story. I didn’t think Depp was similar to MJ…but the film just had alot of similarities…that I somehow can’t remember right this second.
And Terence- I agree that Depp is one of, if not THE best, actor going today. He’s never the same twice. Reminds me of what Val Kilmer could’ve done before he fell in love with himself and started cranking out crap.
TeleMachos, can you be specific about any of his mannerisms? I’m not baiting… I just didn’t see “child.” I saw “goofball.”
And I don’t get the Hughes thing, outside of being agoraphobic. But the accent is very, very specific… I just don’t know from where. It ain’t MJ.
Dave, off the top of my head, one instance is when James Fox is talking about nut-shelling and asks Wonka if he uses a specific machine; and Wonka’s response is a (IMHO) very childish “You’re really weird”. Not exactly what an adult would say, regardless of whether they were reclusive or not.
Wonka’s increasingly agitated reactions to Mike Teevee’s “modern science” attitude also were in the same vein.
I *don’t* think Depp was channeling MJ, nor that he was necessarily intending a comparison. However, I also think it’s practically inevitable that *some* comparisons will be drawn; and that, to some degree, such comparisons are reasonable. Though the 1971 film is far inferior to this one (and I’m not much of a fan of it), at this point I prefer Wilder’s portrayal to Depp’s.
Excerpt from a Depp interview:
Johnny Depp has hit back at claims that his colourful portrayal of Willy Wonka in the eagerly anticipated Charlie & The Chocolate Factory movie is in anyway based on controversial pop star Michael Jackson.
“It never entered my mind,” Depp said. “Michael Jackson loves children but Willy Wonka doesn’t.”
Instead, the Donnie Brasco star says that his interpretation of Wonka was informed by TV hosts from his childhood, such as Captain Kangaroo, Mr Rogers and Uncle Al.
“There were memories I have as a little kid watching children’s shows and children show hosts. I distinctly remember thinking their speech pattern was strange.”
http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/050719/242/fnnbe.html
Telemachos…you are a mumbler. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.
I’m going out on a limb here and I’m going to say that Depp *gasp* created this Willy Wonka interpretation ALL ON HIS OWN. I know, I know…that’s crazy.
I definitely sensed some flavor of 70’s kid show hosts seeping in, but I think this one is all his own.
Dave, you obviously have spent some thought in your review of CATCF, which I appreciate very much. The endless MJ comparisons in other reviews prove that most critics and people making such accusations look at the surface without truly evaluating Depp’s performance against the character WW in the book.
Johnny is what you would call an original. I don’t think hes basing this and any role on anything totally specific.
It is really sad about Val Kilmer. He was well on his way to becoming one of the top actors. Seems like his personal life took over his professional life. He is still young so he should have many more roles in him. He can overcome his issues.
I really like actors who can change from one movie to another and don’t rely on one thing to make them a star. Depp could have coasted on his unreal looks forever. Lets be real here.
He is dreamy.
Don’t give up on Val. He has way too much talent and ego to give up on now.
When I saw the film I was very intentionally looking for MJ similarities. But frankly, outside of the wardrobe (which is pretty similar to the original) I don’t think there is any real fuel for that fire.
I thought the film was okay, with the exception of the Squirell scene which was fantastic.
At least one critic thought he was playing Brian Jones, suggesting that he will in time work his way through all of the Stones. I’ve actually heard more far-fetched theories.
What was his Cry Baby role? Mick Jagger?
I think Charlie Watts was his ED WOOD template.
It’s pretty much an obvious conclusion that there is going to be parallels between Depp/Finding Neverland and Michael Jackson. Considering MJ thinks of himself as Peter Pan in Neverland and JM Barrie’s personal life was so similar.
I doubt though Depp went “hmm, let me channel Michael”.
This one is especially charming. How’s that Typekey doing?
Almost a year-long gap between posts. People will look back and wonder why that is.
Memory Lane.