Johnny Depp On Almost Being Fired From ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean,’ Amber Divorce Rumors, And Bisexuality
Johnny Depp has portrayed many memorable characters over the course of his career as a Hollywood actor. Perhaps the one he is presently most well-known for by fans of all ages is the quirky and witty captain from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow. After numerous installments of the franchise, Johnny has finally opened up about production executives’ initial response to his manner of bringing Sparrow to life and about how he fully intended to be fired for his portrayal.
Vogue relays Johnny’s candid disclosure as to the exchange that took place when he first stepped out as Captain Sparrow.
“The questions came up, ‘Is the performance drunk? Is it gay?’ All I could say was — ’cause they set me up with a great line — I said, ‘Well don’t you know all my characters are gay?’ They were actually gonna put subtitles under my character, they couldn’t understand Captain Jack.”
Additionally, it was Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards whom Depp used for inspiration of the lively pirate. Johnny went on in his discussion, while making an appearance at AFI Fest, to indicate that he fully intended to be fired and actually was scolded by the Disney execs after his performance.
“They wanted to fire me. I fully expected to be fired, and I got a call from the upper echelon at Disney who were courageous enough to ask me, ‘What the f$#* are you doing?'”
Since confusing the big execs at Disney, Johnny’s performance as Captain Jack has become the “stuff of legends.” The franchise has gone on to make millions and Johnny has become the main face associated with the movies, despite other big names, including Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly, who have been ongoing actors associated with the films.
Lately, Depp has made headlines, mainly due to rumors that were circulating he and his wife Amber Heard. The two were reported to be struggling in their relationship and earlier this year, claims were even being made that Johnny’s lack of focus while filming the latest installment for Pirates of the Caribbean, due to apparent marital issues, had the actor in hot water.
It was not Johnny, himself, but his wife, Amber, who recently opened up and clarified that all the talk of their relationship is merely gossip and not truth. The Huffington Post expands in regards to the interview Heard gave for her feature in the latest issue of Marie Claire.
“Heard and 52-year-old Depp are consistently the subject of celebrity gossip. Whether it’s about their dogs, their marriage or the possibility of divorce, the couple makes for perfect tabloid fodder. Despite the rumors, Heard said she does her best to ignore all the talk.”
Depp and Amber have both kept up with their busy work schedules and Heard has shared how she views the gossip, in addition to how she feels about being a step-mom at the age of 29 to Depp’s 16-year-old daughter Lily-Rose and 13-year-old son Jack.
“I try not to react to the horrible misrepresentation of our lives, but it is strange, and hard. [To be a step-mom to Johnny’s children is] an honor and the greatest, most surprising gift I have ever received in my life… I feel new flavors that I didn’t know existed.”
The actress and wife to Depp, also opened up about equality and being bisexual, noting that she is an advocate of everyone having a voice and being who they truly wish to be.
“No matter what people want to label me as, I still fight for equality, and I think popular opinion will catch up.I think it already has, actually. I think our generation sees themselves as part of a larger global community, and therefore, it’s harder to enact basic tribalistic prejudices based on ignorance and hate.”
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are fully intact as a loving and hardworking couple and fans look forward to many more entertaining appearances by Captain Jack Sparrow, and are certainly pleased Depp was never fired.
[Feature Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
