Top 10 Major Roles Johnny Depp Turned Down or Didn’t Get

Finding strong scripts is just as important for an actor of Johnny Depp’s calibre as acting itself. Here are some significant roles that Depp was offered but declined. The name Johnny Depp is now well-known all over the world. Some big-budget films, including The Pirates of the Caribbean, Donnie Brasco, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are the work of a superstar.

In an effort to always offer something new for the audience’s palate, Depp has taken on some difficult and unconventional roles throughout his lengthy career. It’s only natural for the well-known movie star to have passed up a few projects in her quest to think creatively and avoid falling into stereotypes.

Here are some films that Johnny Depp either declined or didn’t get.

Sin City (2005):

Sin City is a film that Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez co-directed and is based on the same-named neo-noir graphic novel by Frank Miller. In “The Big Fat Kill” scene, Johnny Depp was initially envisioned as a corrupt detective named Jackie Boy in the cult classic movie. Benicio del Toro was cast in Depp’s place after the actor had already agreed to the part but had to decline due to other obligations.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992):

Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula may not be his most well-known work, but this may have changed had the movie’s production company not passed over Johnny Depp for the role of Jonathan Harker. Keanu Reeves was then cast in the role, and he performed just as well. Despite not being a particularly popular movie, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is revered by fans of the bloodsucking vampire and has a cult-like following.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986):

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, one of the most well-known films of the 1980s, was largely responsible for Mathew Broderick’s rise to fame. Even so, it wasn’t always going to be that way. Before Broderick was cast, a long list of well-known actors, including Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., and Johnny Depp, were considered for the same role. Due to scheduling issues, Depp had to withdraw from the lead role after initially agreeing to do so, allowing Mathew Broderick to step in.

The Rainmaker (1997):

The Rainmaker was another project that Coppola and Depp might have worked on together. Johnny Depp was vying for the part of Rudy Baylor, a young lawyer who wants to do the right thing no matter what the cost. Despite initially being in the running, Matt Damon received the role of Rudy because the studio thought he was a bigger star than Depp at the time.

Face/Off (1997):

Before Travolta agreed to play a vengeful FBI agent and compete against Nicolas Cage’s more outrageous terrorist, it was Depp’s to take. Marco Brambilla was also set to helm the movie. In a funny turn of events, Depp read the script and decided against it because it wasn’t about hockey. Brambilla left the project after Depp did, and eventually John Woo took his place.

Titanic (1997):

It’s difficult to imagine anyone else besides Leonardo DiCaprio playing Jack Dawson. DiCaprio became one of the biggest movie stars of that era thanks to Dawson’s role, which catapulted him to global superstardom. However, events could have gone very differently. Depp was one of many well-known actors who were considered for the part before DiCaprio was hired. Depp ultimately rejected the script because he found it to be tedious and boring.

Signs (2002):

The movie Signs is regarded as one of M. Night Shyamalan’s finest works. Father Graham Hess and his family move to an isolated farmhouse where they soon begin to notice strange occurrences in their fields. This sets the stage for the sci-fi horror movie. Depp was a candidate for the role of Graham Hess prior to Mel Gibson, but the studio ultimately chose Gibson.

Speed (1994):

One of the best action films of the 1990s is undoubtedly Speed. In the movie, Keanu Reeves plays Jack, an LAPD SWAT officer who battles Dennis Hopper’s bomber-turned-ex-cop character. In an ironic turn of events, Depp and Reeves were competing for the same role once more, with Depp receiving the offer first. Keanu Reeves was given the part after Depp declined it.

Pulp Fiction (1994):

Depp was a candidate for the role of Pumpkin, played by Tim Roth in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic Pulp Fiction. Tim Roth was at the top of Tarantino’s list of candidates for the role of Pumpkin, followed by Christian Slater and Johnny Depp, the director said in an interview for the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast.

Producer Mike Medavoy preferred Depp over Roth because Depp could add significant star power to the picture. In response, Tarantino questioned how much Depp could contribute to the box office if he only appeared at the beginning and end of the movie.

The Matrix (1999):

One of the world’s top movie franchises is The Matrix. With Johnny Depp being the Wachowski Sisters’ top choice for the role, the movie serves as another example where Depp and Reeves were considered for the same role. Depp eventually won the part over Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer (who Warner Bros.’ top brass preferred). Due to Depp’s hectic schedule, Reeves was brought on to play the part of Neo, catapulting him to fame.