Image Credit: Peter Mountain Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Now, that might be an oversimplification. There was a time when Depp had to take paychecks in bland Hollywood chaff like The Astronaut’s Wife, and he’s had his fair share of navel-gazing vanity projects (like the miserable The Libertine or the still-unreleased-in-America The Brave.) But there is something uniquely relentless — and perfectly modern — about the frantic badness of Alice and the Latter Pirateses. All of the films cost so much that we probably can’t even conceive of their actual budgets (although most reports place them all between $200 and $300 million). All four films are narratively incoherent, and are set in magical worlds where the only rule seems to be “If it looks cool, it is possible.” None of them are original stories: The Pirates films are all sequels to a (pretty good!) film that was itself based on a theme park ride, and Alice in Wonderland is a pseudo-sequel/remake/reboot/mulch of Lewis Carroll’s novel.
And they all star Johnny Depp. And understand: I’m not criticizing Depp for starring in bad movies. For one thing, his actor-ly bona fides are impeccable: Even putting aside those great performances listed above, his sheer willingness to push to the far extremes of actor-ly bombast has rightfully turned him into a global treasure. His role as the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland isn’t one of his best, but it’s still a legitimate performance. (By comparison, consider Paul Walker, who just looks blandly confused even in his best movies.) On a deeper level, there’s something essentially inspiring about Depp’s success. The same freakish inspiration that created his mesmerizingly off-kilter director in Ed Wood also created Captain Jack Sparrow. Like Robert Downey, Jr., Depp didn’t so much sell out to Hollywood as force Hollywood to lay the groundwork for his success. And it’s not like Depp is all Pirates, all the time: His voice role in Rango was endearingly manic, and later this year he’ll be returning to Hunter S. Thompson territory in The Rum Diary.
Still, when you consider that Depp has has become one of the last true commercial stars in Hollywood, it’s a bit depressing to see which of his films have proven the most successful. By way of comparison, consider the career trajectory of Russell Crowe, who became a superstar a few years before the first Pirates with Gladiator. Whatever you think of Crowe’s last few films, he’s one of the few Hollywood stars who didn’t latch onto a franchise at some point — even Tom Hanks has the Da Vinci movies — and he’s paid for it at the box office. (Maybe he’s learned his lesson.)
PopWatchers, do you think a film based on original material starring Depp could even come close to the grosses of Alice and the latter Pirateses? (Also, wouldn’t “Alice and the Latter Pirateses” be a great name for a terrible punk band?) Or is this even a problem? Would you be happy seeing Depp inject a bit of whimsy into bombastic $250 million movies from here to eternity?
Follow Darren on Twitter: @EWDarrenFranich
Read more:
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ is the fourth highest-grossing film overseas
EW’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ review
‘Pirates of the Caribbean’: Why didn’t more American moviegoers opt to see Jack Sparrow in 3-D?
When will the Johnny Depp backlash/popularity dive begin? I give it 3-4 years, tops.
Also, IS Johnny Depp a box office draw, or is it just his franchises? Because we all saw how “The Tourist” did last December…
I would say that he is the main reason the Pirates franchise has been so successful. I don’t know about his box office draw in general, but Captain Jack Sparrow is Pirates of the Carribean.
Yes, but I actually LIKED Johnny Depp in “The Tourist.” The big problem I had with that movie was Angelina Jolie’s ridiculous pouty/glam sleep-walk through the entire thing. I can’t help but wonder if “The Tourist” would have been much improved by pairing Depp with an actress willing to bring an actual performance to the screen.
The Tourist was rather popular outside USA and gained about 270 mln – not bad for this rather small romantic thriller.
As pointed out The Tourist did very well.
Also he only has one ‘Franchise’Pirates, that’s it. Unless you’re trying to call the Burton / Depp parnership a franchise. But given that they have always taken risks, with Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sweeney Todd, Corpse Bride, and even Sleepy Hollow it’s hhardly a sure fire money grab thing.
Flyer, yes, I liked ‘The Tourist’ too. And I agree that Johnny Depp should have been paired with an actress who could actually act, rather than Angelina Jolie, who spent the entire movie posing and pouting for the cameras. Don’t know who would have been good for the part, though – Christina Ricci, maybe? Johnny has worked with her before, and they seem to be good together.
“Also, IS Johnny Depp a box office draw, or is it just his franchises? Because we all saw how “The Tourist” did last December…”
The Tourist did REALLY well internationally. America’s not the only country in the world, y’know.
He is a big draw.
it was not a johnny depp movie it was angie movie all about her. johnny don’t do it again
Can we stop measuring films based on box office gross? It doesn’t mean anything anymore, thanks to higher ticket prices and 3-D. Wouldn’t it make more sense to look at net profit and/or adjusting for inflation?
Or number of tickets sold? Yeah, I’ve never understood that either.
Adjusting for inflation is rubbish as it takes no account of socio-ecconomic differences and the total difference in modern releases (Post 1985(ish) and before. If you really want to adjust for inflation for things as old as Gone With The Wind or even Star Wars and Raidersof The Lost Ark, then you have to include the DVD / Blu Ray sales for modern films.
Why?
because you never used to be able to buy films or even see them on TV and then it was a wait of years for them to come to TV.Films were in release for up to year and got re-released again & again. It’s just not a genuine comparison.
More importantly film studios are the ones who control this and they couldn#t give a monkey’s **** if $1b today isn’t as much as $1b 10 years ago. They don’t care if they made $1b selling 100m 3D tickets or 130million ‘normal’ tickets, all they care about is the $1b
Best explanation I’ve read on this – bravo!
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – a showcase for both Depp and DiCaprio, and yet seen by so few. It is because of movies like thqt that I can forgive oh, say, The Tourist…
Chocolat as well.
I actually liked Chocolate and he wasn’t even top billing
So so so so so so so good! I keep waiting for them to be in another movie together.
People LOVE crap. Idiocracy, here we come!
Regarding Russell Crowe, to be fair, Master and Commander was supposed to be a franchise.
and hopefully still will be, great movie.
*puke*
I’m still waiting for “A Beautiful-er Mind”, myself.
As was Robin Hood. Also Pirates was a stand alone film. Of course it had sequel potential, but it wasn’t guaranteed and almost every ‘big’ film is seen as having sequel potential
This post is a lie. Johnny Depp has made some truly terrible movies (The Ninth Gate, The Astronaut’s Wife, Secret Window)and some pretty dull movies (The Tourist, From Hell) that failed to make money.
If you honestly believe that those five films are better than his performance as Jack Sparrow (which originated in the first film, which you conveniently eliminate by trashing the sequels, but is still a great performance), then you don’t deserve to write for this publication.
By the way, according to Rotten Tomatoes, the newest sequel is at 33%, whereas The Tourist is at 19%, Astronaut’s Wife is at 16%, and even Nick Of Time is at 29%.
Do you have an editor, or do you just click and post?
Agree with myspoilerzone. The whole tone of this article is very bitter. Depp made a lot of forgotten duds that are worse than these mindless popcorn flicks. He’s still my favorite actor and I can’t wait for Dark Shadows!
you’ve never seen the Brave have you. Nineth Gate is excellent compared to that movie. I think people go to just see Johnny. I do!
I agree. He has made a few movies that are worse then the sequels from the Pirates franchise. Some of the Pirates movies may run long and be a bit of a mess plotwise, but at least they’re fun to watch.
I agree with myspoilerzone, Bobby’s Robot and Blonde South. JD is an accomplished actor who likes to take “odd” roles. I think you’re just a bit bitter and a little jealous Darren Franich…
Well said, although The Tourist made a fair amount of cash. Also The film it’s based on and the screenwriter are both highly respected so it’s not like he thought he was making Under Siege 3 is it?
Secret Window was a great movie!! If there aren’t explosions, major stunts, or sex scenes people don’t like the movie. Secret Window was very well made!
Wait a minute, now, From Hell wasn’t that bad! I always thought Dead Man was a stinker, although JD looks absolutely beautiful in it, so it’s still watchable.
Inspector Abberline was sexy as hell in From Hell. But Dead Man a stinker?! Sacrilege! The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow.
I love “From Hell.”
And regarding “Secret Window,” I think it was Lisa Schwarzbaum who reviewed it when it was released. Check out the archives for a very funny review.
Your post rings true. Also why is the article counting the original POTC movie as one of the worst? WTH?
Astronaut’s Wife? You mean the movie where sexy, blond short-haired Johnny feels up sexy, blond short-haired Charlize Theron while whispering dirty words in her ear before banging her against the wall of a public place? Yeah, that was awful! Seriously, the only bad part of that movie was where Spencer was extracting spaghetti out of the sister’s brain or whatever was happening there.
As someone who thinks “Ed Wood” and “Donnie Brasco” are his best movies (and as someone who found the most recent “Pirates” movie to be a major snoozefest), I suppose I’m inherently annoyed by the fact that this headline is pretty accurate.
However, I still think the notion that like Depp himself is, arguably, the main draw in all four of those movies (certainly in “Pirates”, probably in “Alice”) is pretty cool.
I don’t think he’ll ever stop doing smaller, quirkier movies, so if he has to do crappy, uninspired nonsense (which he might actually liven up from time to time) I’m not gonna kill him for it.
Johnny has been incredibly disappointing lately. He used to be one of Hollywood’s most fearless…now it’s clear he likes money. I miss him playing regular guys every now and then like in Gilbert Grape. I’m kind of sick of watching him play dress up.
Regular guys? Has he even played a regular guy since Gilbert Grape? Johnny Depp made a name for himself playing nutballs. The public at large just finally found one they loved, i.e. Jack Sparrow.
When I say regular guys, I mean characters that aren’t like The Mad Hatter, Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka or even Sweeney Todd. I’m referring to Finding Neverland or Gilbert Grape where we get to see him make characters that aren’t about being loony. I think he’s starting to get too comfortable being the go-to quirky guy and I know he can be a whole different type of actor when he wants to be.
Johnny played a regular guy in Public Enemies. How soon they forget.
Plus he has Rum Diary coming out this October.
I don’t think it has ANYTHING to do with him liking money. I think the Pirates sequels are obviously explained by the fact that he simply LOVES playing Jack Sparrow. The Mad Hatter is still a quirky, typical Depp character. I think he’s still picking roles that speak to him and inspire him. Now some of them are just big blockbuster movies – which, I think, is partially attributable to his original performance as Captain Jack in the first Pirates. Plus, I think some of his choices (Pirates sequels, Alice, Rango?) are made with his children in mind.
This is just what I think, too.
Not only with his children in mind but also with all children all over the world. Kids love him. “Pirates”, “Charlie” and “Alice” are my kids’ favourites movies, not Pixar or DreamWorks cartoons.
johnny depp is a very goo actor who is so clever that convinced us that he is the “independed guy” and doesn’t like blockbusters…but the choices that he makes these years are all about the money,the stardom,the private island..i want depp the actor back not the sexiest man alive(he isn’t of course)but is one of the greatest actors of his genneration and more than that,he is an artist who going to be a blockbuster guy infotounately..pirates are ok but not real good films!just have fun and that’s it..alice was bad..and yes depp helps but the blockbuster makes the money,no tourist didn’t go well internationaly nor everything else except burton and pirates..
He’s going to be playing a regular guy in “The Rum Diary”.
Also, he played a regular guy in Tourist, as well as Public Enemies.
Just because his movies are getting popular doesn’t mean he’s sold out. He’s said countless times he wants to do work his children can enjoy as well.
Don’t give Russell Crowe too much credit: Certainly Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was SUPPOSED to be a franchise.
And you can’t tell me Robin Hood wasn’t supposed to launch a franchise.
Bingo. Leo would be much better example because he neither starred in a franchise nor in a failed franchise.
“Critters 3″.
Depp has given a few top notch performances. I, for one, think he could have won the Oscar for “Finding Neverland” except for the presses love affair with another actor that year. Even Jack Sparrow in the first film was a daring offbeat performance. Granted, Depp hasn’t done much good acting in the past 5+ years, but he has the talent and maybe a good role will come along again for him to show it.
What are you talking about? What about Sweeney Todd? He hasn’t done BAD acting; it’s just the movies he’s in lately haven’t been so great.
Public Enemies? The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus? Am I really the only one who watched those movies in this entire forum?! He’s done some great roles! In some wonderful movies, might I add. Although, it seems that I was the only one who watched them, while everyone else decided to focus on the blockbusters.
I maintain The Ninth Gate is his worst movie.
I maintain Franky is an idiot
They are called Popcorn Movies – and they can be fun. Deal.
But they AREN’T fun. 3/4 Pirates movies have been awful.
…the last one was pretty good, I’d say. I maintain that the whole Elizabeth/Will romance really killed the first two sequels, since Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom are kind of not-really-good actors.
Actually, I rather liked “Alice” but agree on the Pirates sequels. They have all been overblown snoozefests.
Agree, thought Alice was decent enough even if it wasn’t a “great” movie…
Alice was good and it’s was succesfull only for Johnny,Johnny is the plus in every movie.And POTC4 is a big blockbusters tanks only to JOHNNY DEPP…and God too,and I really happy for this,..what do all the critics say now?..you..who wrote this and all the idiots have to eat your words!Johnny is the best,the sexiest man in the world and the only actor who has 4 movies in the highest -grossing movies ever!!God bless him
I completely dissagree with the author. I LOVED the “Pirates” franchise and was apparently the only SMART person who understood them. I love all of his films because he is a chamelion and can turn into whatever role he is given. He’s an actor’s actor, He picks roles based on how HE feels and HIS connection, not money. He does the “Pirates” franchise because he loves playing Captain Jack and could care less about what you simple minded ( for those of you who don’t understand, that means IDIOTS) people think. I love and see these films because I want to and not what other people say. “Twilight” should be the worst. For the sake of a friend, I went to the 2nd one. I don’t get why people flock to that film? Yes, it’s a book but come on. Gay vampires? Really!? I think I’ll take my chances and go drink some rum with me fellow pirates. So all you idiots out ther saying “Pirates” should go away, NOT GONNA HAPPPEN AND KISS MY PIRATE BOOTY! “It’s a pirate’s life for me!” Damn proud of it!
If you’re going to proclaim yourself SMART and all others IDIOTS, it would behoove you to spell “chameleon” correctly.
And it would ‘behoove’ you to spell behove correctly. People in glass houses, mate…
Umm, sorry, but Bobby’s Robot is correct…U.S. spelling is behoove.
The Collins English Dictionary spelling is ‘behove’. And that is the correct spelling.
Merriam-Webster = behoove. Originated from Middle English “Behove”, which is not used anymore, since we no longer speak Middle English. Sorry!
amyc, we still speak English in England.
behove , (U.S.) behoove
vb tr; impersonal
Archaic to be necessary or fitting for
it behoves me to arrest you
(Old English behofian; related to Middle Low German behoven)
English Collins Dictionary – English Definition & Thesaurus
I understand that Americans spell and speak the word differently, but the original word, from the old English, remains (here in the uk at least) ‘behove.’
if you understand that its spelled differently in America then why are you still arguing? Your original post was a failed attempt at correcting grammar.
No, it was a successful attempt at correcting spelling. It may well be a different spelling in America, but it is an English word, and the correct – English – spelling is behove. But *sigh*, you’re right about one thing – it’s a pointless argument, since clearly, you are never going to accept that you are wrong.
@ PirateFan: Can you not bring twilight into everything? I’m sick of that thing! Yea and I agree with Bobby. You’re so SMART, but you can’t spell chameleon.
PirateFan actually has a point. The Twilight movies are absolute crap, yet they bring in loads. The Pirates movies are certainly more deserving of their positions on the highest grossing movies list than the catastrophe that is the Twilight franchise.
What the does Twilight have to do with Johnny Depp?
I actually agree with the whole Twilight aspect. If ever a statement should be made about terrible movies making bucket loads of money, it should be about the Twilight movies. Pirates are certainly more deserving than that disaster.
PirateFan, I’m with you on this one. Inspite of all the moaners and bitchers here, the fact is that the ‘Pirates’ films are blockbusters – millions of people all over the world flock to see them – are all those millions wrong?? I don’t think so! Johnny Depp is absolutely wonderful as the quirky, slurring, wobbly, rum-swilling Captain Jack Sparrow; he alone is responsible for the creation of this much-loved character, and that creation was a stroke of pure genius.
The ‘Pirates’ movies are fun; they are true entertainment, and their appeal crosses the boundaries of age and culture – they have global appeal, to young and old alike.
It’s a fantastic achievement for Johnny Depp, and I think it’s mean spirited and closed minded to try and belittle that achievement. Maybe the bitching and moaning is born out of envy, or maybe it’s a kind of pseudo intellectualism – little people trying to appear more intelligent than they really are, by slagging off someone who has given the world a ray of sunshine in our present dark times. So to them I say – GET A LIFE! And leave Johnny Depp to get on with delighting his millions of loyal fans with his inimitable Captain Jack Sparrow.
Yes, but elizabeth, just because you *enjoyed* the films, that doesn’t mean you truly *understood* them. Didn’t you read his post? PirateFan “was apparently the only SMART person who understood them.” So it’s funny you’re talking about pseudo-intellectuals pooh-poohing them out of hand, when what PirateFan is doing, it would seem, is trying to *justify* them so he can see his way clear to like them by giving them some deep, obscure meaning that only HE can decipher.
Squishmar, I understood them, as I’m sure you did too. And PirateFan knows that the vast majority of us understood them too – perhaps we got a little carried away defending these films…apologies if I caused offence, I can assure you I did not intend to. I love Johnny Depp’s characterisation of Jack Sparrow (sorry, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow..!) and I truly can’t understand why some folk don’t seem to recognise his particular genius. But I acknowledge everyone’s right to their own opinion; I suppose many would disagree with ME because I think Tom Hanks’ acting is very weak…but then, I’m entitled to my opinion too. Having said all that, I would actually pay good money to watch Johnny Depp read the newspaper..so maybe I’m biased!
Elizabeth, I completely agree with you! Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and I’m definitely a little biased, but I love Johnny Depp and I think he’s brilliant and I just down know how people can have so many bad things to say about “Pirates”!
I loved him in Sweeney Todd.
Depp is slumming for a paycheck in these Pirates flicks. Does he have enough now? Let’s hope so. Maybe one day soon he will get back to doing something worth seeing.
Johnny isn’t “slumming for a paycheck”. If you ever watch an interview with him you’d see that he actually “likes” the character Jack Sparrow. He enjoys playing him. Who doesn’t want to have a job doing something they enjoy? As long as people go see the movies, he’ll continue to make them. If you don’t like it, don’t go see it! But let the rest of us enjoy it.
He is definitely not slumming for a paycheck. A lot of people have grown tired of the Pirates franchise; however, kids still love Jack Sparrow and Johnny Depp just wants to give them what they want.
Well, The Rum Diary is due out in October, a higher brow film Depp paid millions of his own money and poured his soul into to get finished. Let’s see how many people who criticize him for making popcorn films or not playing regular guys put their money where their mouth is to see this.
Johnny Depp has never made decisions based on a paycheck where do you get that from? People should learn not to post there opinions as fact and maybe to do a little research first.
I liked him in Sweeney Todd too. Johnny may do quirky roles, but nobody does them better than he does. He is my favorite actor and I for the most part like all the movies he has done. He always captures the essences of each character he plays. I agree with a comment above of the movie Chocolat. That’s my favorite movie of his & he isn’t the lead. Some of his other good performances are from Benny and Joon, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, sleepy Hollow, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Finding Neverland and of course Edward Scissorhands. Yes even Charley and the Chocolate Factory only because he totally freaked me out & I couldn’t believe it was really Johnny in that role! And I have to say Jack Sparrow is probably one of my all time favorite movie characters. And only Johnny could pull that off=)