Johnny Depp has played a variety of incredible characters on the big screen, earning him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Is there anything better than an actor who goes all in for their role? You know the ones I’m talking about – those performers who interpret their character so distinctly that, despite being fiction, they make us believe in the on-screen action like nobody else. Johnny Depp is a prime example of a Hollywood star that has accomplished this effect over the years, fully immersing himself in the eccentric qualities of his characters during every performance. Although there are quite a few to choose from, below we remember four of the best films with the award-winning actor in a leading role.
Pirates of the Caribbean Series: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Even though he had appeared in many productions prior to this 2003 installment, the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie is undoubtedly the one that made Johnny Depp a household name. This swashbuckling adventure featured the actor as the quirky lead pirate, Capitan Jack Sparrow, and earned him a Screen Actors Guild award, as well as Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Afterwards, four more movies followed, but none could live up to the prestige of the first. There have been rumours that a sixth installment of the franchise is in the works and could be released as soon as 2023.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
A modern recreation of the classic tale, this Tim-Burton directed film sees Johnny Depp in a unique role as the maddest of all Mad Hatters. Full of dramatic, crisp graphics and otherworldly scenes, Alice in Wonderland is a visual treat for viewers. The character designs are overwhelmingly sharp, as Depp was required to sit in the makeup chair for hours before shooting. The results were incredible, with the actor’s face covered completely in white paint and his head topped with a bright orange wig and extremely long fake eyelashes to match. However, the most awestriking makeup feature of all involved Depp’s fluorescent green contact lenses which gave his eyes the crazy color needed to pull off the most authentic Mad Hatter possible. In fact, although this is obviously a fictional movie, inspired viewers at home can try out this look too, with coloured contacts in a variety of popular shades such as violet and hazel. One thing’s for certain – Alice in Wonderland will always be one of Depp’s most memorable roles due to the time and energy that went into his hair and makeup styling.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Another production starring Depp and directed by Tim Burton that went above and beyond in the makeup department, Edwards Scissorhands was one of the biggest film hits of the early 90s, with a remarkable performance by the actor that was anything but dialogue-heavy. In fact, Depp spoke less than 150 words in the movie, yet conveyed great heartfelt emotion simply through his deep glares and unblinking eyes. The chaotic black hair, realistic scars, pale white face and, of course, intricately-made mechanical scissor hands brought Edward to life, but Depp’s stellar performance was what earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
How many of these films have you already seen?
Black Mass (2015)
The most recently released movie on the list, the true crime story Black Mass premiered in 2015 and received great ratings from critics and viewers alike, largely due to Depp’s realistic performance playing the notorious American mobster, Whitey Bulgar. For this reason, Black Mass has continuously been described as ‘chilling’ and ‘utterly fascinating’. Not to mention Depp is complemented by a star-studded cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, and Jesse Plemons. To see all the nail-biting action for yourself, add this Depp gem to your home’s movie collection today with a Blu-Ray copy.