Johnny Depp: An Inexplicably Accessible Movie Star

He owns his own island. He's one of the most bankable movie stars in the world. He can write his own ticket, career-wise. So Johnny Depp doesn't need to do a cameo in '21 Jump Street,' the upcoming film version of the dated and probably mortifying '80s TV cop drama that gave him his first big break. That he's doing so anyway, according to Life & Style, shows what a mensch he is, what a stand-up guy. But then, it's just one of several instances throughout his career in which Depp has shown he doesn't put on movie-star airs but will stick by old friends, animal companions or even fans who are perfect strangers. '21 Jump Street,' a show about cops who go undercover as high school students, was on the air so long ago (1987-91) that little of the target audience for the 2012 film version is likely to remember it. So the film could use the publicity boost that a Depp cameo will provide. Life & Style reports that Depp did his walk-on as a teacher in May. "It's done," the magazine quotes him as saying. "I went in and did my bit and worked with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. It was fun." It's not the first time Depp has honored his roots with a cameo to help out people who gave him his start. Back in 1991, he appeared briefly in the 'Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare' as a star doing a "This is your brain on drugs" public service announcement on TV. (Credited under the typically eccentric Depp pseudonym Opra Noodlemantra, Depp delivers the familiar sizzling-egg spiel, only to have Freddy Krueger whack him in the face with the frying pan.) It was the sixth movie in the 'Nightmare on Elm Street' franchise, which was rapidly running out of steam. But Depp, whose first Hollywood gig was his role as a Freddy victim in the original 'Nightmare' in 1984, helped the filmmakers out by lending them some of his star power, then on the rise after '21 Jump Street' and the hit movie 'Edward Scissorhands.' Johnny Depp Cameo in 'Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare' Depp has also been a longtime booster of the late author Hunter S. Thompson and his family. He helped get made the seemingly unfilmable 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' by starring as Thompson alter ego Raoul Duke. He's since appeared in several Thompson-related documentaries, and he's starring in Bruce Robinson's adaptation of Thompson's 'The Rum Diary' (due out October 28), a film Depp had stuck with for more than 10 years of development limbo. And Depp even paid for Thompson's notorious funeral in 2005, in which the author had his ashes shot out of a cannon mounted atop a 150-foot tower. "All I'm doing is trying to make sure his last wish comes true," Depp said at the time. "I just want to send my pal out the way he wants to go out." 'The Rum Diary' - Trailer Terry Gilliam, who directed Depp in 'Fear and Loathing,' was in a bind when Heath Ledger died in 2008 before completing his role in the director's 'The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.' Depp and Jude Law stepped into the fantasy film, playing alternate versions of Ledger's character, allowing Gilliam to complete the picture. Depp even saved the life of an animal co-star. According to a 'Sleepy Hollow' fan site, Depp adopted Goldeneye, who played his mount Gunpowder in the 1999 film, when he heard the one-eyed horse was to be put down. But you don't have to be an old friend of Depp's to be on the receiving end of his largesse, as a nine-year-old fan found out last fall. London schoolgirl Beatrice Delap wrote a letter to Depp's 'Pirates of the Caribbean' character, Captain Jack Sparrow, asking for him to help her and her classmates stage a mutiny against the teachers. To her astonishment, Depp complied, showing up with just 10 minutes' notice at her school in full pirate regalia. (Turned out he was in London shooting 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,' so not only was he in Delap's neighborhood, but he also had the costume with him.) Johnny Depp Surprises Nine-Year-Old Fan No wonder Depp wanted to play a straight heroic role as Tonto in Disney's 'Lone Ranger' reboot. With that project almost dead because of budget fears, maybe Depp can ride to the rescue again and figure out how the studio can make it on the cheap. No doubt Disney execs are keeping their fingers crossed that they'll be the beneficiaries of the same generosity Depp bestows upon old pals, horses and nine-year-old girls. Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

Fox nabs Stephen Gaghan project

Another high-profile development project landed a home Monday as Stephen Gaghan's adaptation of a Swedish crime novel series nabbed a put pilot order from Fox. Project hails from 20th Century Fox TV, which has an overall deal with the screenwriter. Concept for the untitled drama series is said to revolve around an tough police inspector tasked with solving murder cases. Leif G. W. Persson penned the novels on which the series is based, ''Linda'' and ''He Who Kills the Dragon.'' The Gaghan project adds to the heat of Swedish book and film adaptations in showbiz these days. Gaghan is primarily known for his bigscreen work, but earlier this year he fielded a police drama pilot (''S.I.L.A.'') for NBC, also through 20th. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Kris Jenner to Guest-Host The Talk now within the Fall

Kris Jenner Maintaining using the Kardashians matriarch Kris Jenner will guest-host The Talk for 2 days within the fall, CBS confirmed Friday on Twitter. Did Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries possess a "magical" wedding? Per an early on report in the Hollywood Reporter, Jenner will complete for Sharon Osbourne, who's going for a temporary Talk leave to spend some time together with her husband, Ozzy. What is the news also follows word that Talk hosts Leah Rimini and Carol Robinson Peete won't return for that gabfest's second season. Comedian Sheryl Underwood will even join The Talk come the autumn on the provisionary basis that can lead to a complete-time gig based on her chemistry using the remaining hosts, Sara Gilbert and Julie Chen, based on the Hollywood Reporter. Kim Kardashian's wedding to air on E! In other Jenner guest-hosting news, the momager apparently will also give it a try at Today in October, based on her repetition. Regarding her Talk gig, she tweeted Thursday, "I am likely to guest co-host about the Talk! ... Can't wait to become listed on the women the following month!!!Inch

Fox to create Back 'Breaking In'

Inside a one-two punch, Fox is planning to order the brand new Adam F. Goldbergcomedy project and revive his Christian Slaterworkplace spy comedy Breaking In, both from The new sony Pictures TV.our editor recommends'Breaking In' Fans: Should You Watch Tuesday's Finale, the Show Could Easily Get Renewed'American Idol' Lead-in Boosts New Fox Comedy 'Breaking In' While each one of the rival systems were stated to possess proven curiosity about Goldberg's new effort, Fox was prepared to toss in a 13-episode order of Goldberg and also the studio'spreviously canceled project as leverage, based on a resource acquainted with the problem. PHOTOS: Fox's New Fall, Midseason Television Shows This news comes mere days after Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly told people from the Television Experts Association he had loved Breaking In, but had our prime-class problem of too couple of holes to complete his schedule. The internet dropped the series after seven midseason airings, announcing the get of 4 new comedies (two live-action, two animated) at May's upfront. "All of us loved Breaking In," Reilly added from the reveal that has skirted dying once before. "We'd an extremely passionate number of producers and stars who wanted to try and ensure that it stays going ... Still it includes a shot. They have decided to extend a choice, so we have stored it alive. Guess what happens? Stranger everything has happened." VIDEOS: Preview Fox's New Television Shows Like Breaking In, Goldberg's new project is really a comedy co-created by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison. The only-camera comedy is thought to become autobiographical in tone having a concentrate on his eighties upbringing. Goldberg, whose past small screen credits include Secret Girlfriend and Aliens in the usa, is repped by WME. Related Subjects Christian Slater FOX

Evening Bus

Iranian Movie.....The film, that is in sharp monochrome, relates the storyline of the twenty-four-hour-lengthy journey of two youthful Iranian soldiers (Issā and Emād) along with a civilian driver (Amu Rahim) moving thirty-eight Iraqi criminals of war, obtained from behind the Iraqi line, to some garrison inside Iran. In the particulars the first is informed the IranIraq War has joined into its third year. The film genuinely represents the deep inhumanity of functions of war among nations by showing the shared humanity from the combatants on sides.

MovieMantz Review: Fright Evening

By Scott MantzLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- An Enjoyable Evening Fright NightAnton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, David TennantDirected by Craig Gillespie Because of movies like Twilight and Television shows like True Bloodstream, vampires of the underworld are extremely popular nowadays. On the other hand, they probably always will be, but one beloved film that fans always appear to return to may be the original Fright Evening from 1985. Thats since the cult classic were built with a revisionist tongue-in-oral cavity attitude that managed to get refreshing, because it was clever and funny while still fitting the balance being an outstanding horror movie. Within the film, that was written and directed by Tom Holland, William Ragsdale performed a horror aficionado who had been firmly believing that his charming new next-door neighbor, performed by Chris Sarandon, is at fact a bloodstream-drawing creature from the evening. Nobody thought him, so he needed to convince a cleaned-up B-movie vampire killer named Peter Vincent (performed through the great Roddy McDowell) to assist him drive a stake through his heart. Although the remake does not feel as fresh because the original film, its still just like entertaining, however for different reasons. Compiled by Marti Noxon (Televisions Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and also the Real Girl), Fright Evening maintains the total amount of humor and suspense that defined the 1985 version, however it achieves this with 3-D effects which are (at least) well worth the cost of admission, given that they replicate exactly the same in-your-face thrills that made the cheesy 3-D movies from yesteryear a lot fun. Rather than the suburbs in Iowa, the brand new Fright Evening happens in Vegas, where Peter Vincent passes his time like a jaded vampire expert and illusionist for any gaudy live stage show. David Tennant (Televisions Physician Who) is amusing and practically steals the film as Vincent, since he plays him just like a self-absorbed lush who possibly deliberately bears an uplifting resemblance to Russell Brand. Colin Farrell also appears to become getting a great time because the sensual vampire nearby, while Anton Yelchin provides a strong performance as his suspicious neighbor. The supporting cast people will also be game for that fun, including Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense) as Charlies mother, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) as Charlies closest friend and Imogen Poots as Charlies girlfriend (and also the object of Farrells affection). From the structural perspective, Fright Evening includes a slightly disjointed pace, also it does not develop the strain along with the original film. Nevertheless its still an enjoyable experience, and it is loaded with full confidence, therefore it works very well by itself terms. And when little else, Fright Evening proves that after it involves entertaining and worthy movies about vampires of the underworld, theres still lots of space left within the motion picture coffin. Verdict: View It! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

From Captain America to Drug-Addicted Lawyer: Watch Chris Evans in the Trailer for Puncture

In this summer’s Captain America, Chris Evans embodies a sickly man who, after being injected with miracle drug, becomes a crime-fighting hero. In this September’s based-on-a-true-story indie Puncture, Chris Evans plays a sickly (in the drug-addicted sense) lawyer who chooses to fight health care crime in the court room. Watch Evans transition away from his Marvel superhero role in the first trailer for Puncture after the jump. During this April’s Tribeca Film Festival, Movieline had the pleasure of speaking with Evans and Puncture directors Mark and Adam Kassen about the indie drama (which Evans signed onto before winning the Captain America role). At the time, Puncture did not have a distributor but with Evans busy on the superhero tentpole, it seemed a likely possibility that their film (which Mark Kassen also co-stars in) would see a theater release. Now, Puncture has found a home at Millenium Entertainment and been assigned a Sept. 23 limited release date. In the trailer, we see Evans play an incredibly functioning, incredibly well-toned lawyer who stumbles onto a big case when an ER nurse (Vinessa Shaw) comes to him after being pricked by an HIV-contaminated needle. Weiss and his partner, Paul Danziger (Mark Kassan) decide to take on the health supply corporation responsible and prepare accordingly. Puncture looks promising — although a little “television movie of the week” — and could determine the actor’s believability in more dramatic roles. Evans will also have the chance to prove his worth as a romantic interest in this fall’s What’s Your Number? opposite Anna Faris. VERDICT: To see Captain America prepare for a trial shirtless with the help of prostitutes or not to see. [via Cinema Blend]