News

Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski Reteam

The actor/director tandem of Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski teamed up to massive critical and commercial success with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The duo will reteam for Rango, an animated film for Paramount that will employ cutting edge animation tactics.

The film already has a release date attached to it, set to hit multiplexes in March 2011. Depp will lend his voice to the lead character, a household pet who embarks on an adventure in order to discover himself. He will start work on this character in January. The initial premise was launched by Verbinski, who dispatched John Logan to write the script. Verbinski is set to direct the film, as well as produce under his Blink Wink Productions.

In other Depp news, the hot rumor is that he may portray the villain in the next installment of Batman. While there's no question that following up Heath Ledger's maniacal turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight will be a tall order, word is that Depp may be dispatched to play The Riddler. Michael Caine, who stars as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred in the franchise, revealed the info, saying he heard it from someone at the studio, who suggested that Depp as The Riddler or Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin would deliver Ledger-caliber performances. Warner Brothers has steadfastly denied Caine's claims.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.12.08