Terry Gilliam is the director of the film Heath Ledger was working on when he died. The film is called The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and was scheduled to wrap in about six weeks. Although production was shut down after the death of Heath, the producers want to continue filming, but this time with Johnny Depp in the lead role. According to The Sun, a studio source says that "There is a point in the film when Heath falls through a magic mirror. He could change into another character after that and that is where Johnny would come in. It's a weird, fantasy, time-travel movie so Heath's character could easily change appearance. It would be a poignant moment. Johnny's not working at the moment so everyone is praying he will do it."
I have mixed emotions about all of this. I understand that movies are a business and there are lots of people involved in the making of the film and certain obligations to be met. But, at the same time it just seems too business like that someone dies and then a week later another actor just comes right in a fills the role and it is business as usual. On the other hand, when an actor dies during filming and the script gets rewritten or the film is edited in such a way that the actor is not in it as much seems like a disservice to the memory of the actor and can often lead to a horrible film which just does no one any favors and leaves the world with a crap film as the last piece of film an actor did.
If Johnny did step in, I think the premise is solid and would be a much better tribute to the legacy of Heath than some cut and paste job the editors, director and writers can come up with. It also would allow all the people who are counting on the money from the film to feed their families a chance to continue to do so.
Also it would help Terry Gilliam out a bit. Dude has had bad luck with some of his films.
ReplyDeleteCan't they wait until AFTER Heath's funeral to start talking publicly about his replacement?
ReplyDeletePlease.
If there is a way it can be done so that it serves the story and makes sense according to its own logic, that could turn the film into a pretty cool piece of art that would be a beautiful tribute to Heath.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of two different actors "sharing" a character in the same movie has been done before. Bill Pullman's character "turned into" Balthazar Getty halfway through "Lost Highway."
If this revised premise is true, I think it could be done. And Johnny Depp would add a lot of integrity, credibility, and respect to this film which would truly mark it as Heath's final film.
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree that it's premature to discuss replacements as Heath has yet to be buried.
RIP Heath. :(
I find nothing wrong with the fact that they are discussing what to do at this time. It isn't as if they ran to the media to state this. There has been a lot of questions raised how that movie would be handled. With Mr. Ledger dying, that put a lot of people out of work. If they were able to salvage the script in a manner that makes sense and prevent them from further losing money, kudos to them! It is unforturnate that he died, but the show must go on (so to speak). It isn't disprespectful to the dead by any means.
ReplyDelete"According to the Sun" means it's not a credible source. "Johnny isn't working" yet, but he is committed to 'Public Enemies', which starts shooting in March. With pre-production stuff, Depp is not really available for the two month shoot. I bet Johnny has not even been approached, and this "source" (not Gilliam or a producer) is indulging in wishful thinking. That being said, Johnny could be Heath in the role, with barely a join.
ReplyDeleteThe more Depp, the better.
ReplyDeletemovies cost a lot per day..with sets, actors and crew under a time constraint and having to move on to other projects they don't have much choice but to get the ball rolling asap.
ReplyDeletesux but if we want to see the film at all it needs to be done now.
Sounds doable. Would be a lovely tribute. Remember what happened with John Candy died? It wasnt as simple to wrap up his last film. We could see Heath's last work without it being a disaster...
ReplyDeleteThe Sun? It's obviously fact then!
ReplyDeleteIMO, If they need a replacement for Heaths' character in a film I sincerely believe Depp is the one that can pull it off. Ledger was well on his way into doing more eclectic rolls just as Depp has done. Just seeing the small bits and pieces of the new Batman movie you can tell what direction he was turning to. So to me, I feel Johnny is a natural fit.
ReplyDeleteI understand that business is business, the expense etc. and so on. But out of respect for Heath and his family, the appropriate thing to do is make the decision after the funeral is done. But, like I said, for all I know, their hands were tied and had to move on it yesterday.
Depp is the only actor I'd like to see take Heath's place in this. I hope he goes for it. It's not too soon to talk about it, in my opinion, because there's been so much speculation about what will happen to that movie.
ReplyDeleteill keep you guys posted on what i hear as that was supposed to start shooting the blue screen scenes in Vancouver and i got people in the know.
ReplyDeleteHooray for Jax, thanks! =^-^=
ReplyDeleteCool Jax. I heart Canada. I think that it is touching actually.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Johnny Depp will not do this unless it is done with integrity and Heath's honor is preserved intact. I can't think of a better man to "take Heath's place"
ReplyDeleteJax, I am coming to visit you if Johnny takes the role and comes to Vancouver. I'll bring a big goody bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Brenda...totally agree!
ReplyDeleteNo one cares what you think, EL, you stupid scumsucking pervert.
ReplyDeletejax, i think if johnny comes to town, you better expect a LOT of CDAN company!
ReplyDeletei was going to say the same thing... i think johnny would do this with integrity and respect.
i also think a terry gilliam film is more likely to lend itself to a change like this (and i mean that respectfully, i love his films BECAUSE they are so out there) than a lot of other films are.
this whole thing is just a fucking crying shame. please excuse the vulgarity.