Bad casting choice...Depp

Rating: 6/10 (22 November 2005)

Let me open with this disclaimer: I am a huge Johnny Depp fan, I think he is a great actor in almost every role he has ever played.
That being said, Burton made a huge mistake in casting his friend Depp in this role. The only way this character could have been worse was if it was played by one of the other Wonka hopefuls, Marilyn Manson...
So speaking of Wonka hopefuls, why wasn't Jim Carrey chosen for the role of Wonka?!?! He has the perfect mix of wackiness with creepy undertones (think cable guy; me, myself, and Irene) that Burton should have been shooting for, which is what Dahl intended in the original book (fun and likable with a hint of danger). Depp/Burton turned the character into a completely freaky unlikeable weirdo that cringed when he came near children and made weird sexual allusions. Not to mention the whole bizarre "daddy" and anti-family fixation. I will spare you yet another M. Jackson parallel thesis, but SERIOUSLY! I can't imagine that Carrey commands much more of a salary than Depp so what gives?!