Terry Gilliam Confronts Mortality, Breaks Away From Johnny Depp

gilliam_depp.jpg

It only sounded like Terry Gilliam was bitter discussing Johnny Depp in a recent interview, where he thwacked his one-time leading man for the downmarket quality of his newest work. "He'd better start making some good films," the director said before paraphrasing other Depp critics: "Come on. You've got the power to make some really good films happen. Why are you doing this shit?" But really, it was just old age rapping on his door -- and perhaps the knowledge that Depp wouldn't be making any more good films with Gilliam himself.

OK, and maybe a little bitterness. Gilliam had already acknowledged from Cannes that he would revive his infamously cursed Depp vehicle The Man Who Killed Don Quixote with or without the actor, who last worked with Gilliam as one of Heath Ledger's three replacements in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. And now we know it's without, but at least it's for a good reason:

"I can now honestly say that I'm not working with Johnny on Don Quixote," Gilliam [said]. "He's booked himself up on a lot of other films. I wanted to shoot Don Quixote next spring. He said he's not available and we have both agreed that I'm going to die soon, so it would be nice to get this film under my belt."

There he goes frightening his insurers again. But one can only imagine the three directors who'll come in to finish the job if/when cruel fate intervenes; maybe Tim Burton can bring Depp along for a few more days and everyone can finally get what they want. It's not a perfect plan, but we've got to start somewhere.

· Depp's trip back in time with Gilliam called off [The Independent]



Comments

  • Kai says:

    Huh? Gilliam actually said that..?
    Love ya Terry, but your latest work does not give you the right to say what he's been doing is shit...

  • ZombieStrike says:

    Hey, uh, Terry? Brothers Grimm? Judge not, buddy. I think Terry's just jealous that Johnny would rather work with Tim Burton than him.

  • FrancoisTrueFaux says:

    A lover scorned. . .

  • Dave says:

    Tideland made up for Brothers Grimm, which sucked because of the Weinsteins. Depp has been making shit lately, although Public Enemies was not great it was an honorable failure.

  • Noah R. says:

    Here we go again. Why is it that everything Gilliam says is taken literally? Just because he has criticized Depp's recent work doesn't mean he hates him or is bitter or anything like that. He's a former member of Monty Python. He is constantly making jokes. Just like John Cleese; when he disses his fellow Pythons, it's not meant to be taken as Gospel.
    What this shows is that Gilliam is able to be honest about one of his friends. Real friends have the guts to tell each other the truth about how they feel. Why aren't more people applauding Gilliam for speaking his mind? I don't understand it.

  • Fike4 says:

    Gilliam is an ungrateful, jealous, bigmouth. I for one am glad Depp has broken away from this creep. After Depp donated his time to help this jerk complete his movie, this is the thanks he gets!?! Get over yourself, Terry! You will NEVER be as great as Depp.

  • donna says:

    This is the second commentary I have read "slapping Mr. Depp's hands" as now it's much easier as they are no longer scissors. No doubt many of us are confused with the Film Industry and it's love for remakes, trilogies and down right garbage comedy. But for some reason many actors are succumbing to the mega attracting blockbusters. Why? Because of the rating? PG, PG13, of course this allows for a much larger audience, therefore more money for all involved. This is the underlying factor why America's Film creativity has been more noted for it's "special effects", other progressive technology than the actual story or true talents of it's actors.

  • sincity says:

    "Come on. You’ve got the power to make some really good films happen. Why are you doing this shit?”
    Which is why Depp is walking away from Gilliam and his mess.