Depp's mad about fantasy

He’s done it again! Johnny Depp has found himself yet another fantastic disguise as the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and it’s with none other than legendary filmmaker Tim Burton calling the shots.
Depp’s attraction to fantasy characters of 19th century literature seems to have no end. Post some memorable performances in Sleepy Hollow and Finding Neverland, he’s all set to captivate audiences in his upcoming 3D fantasy adventure, Alice in Wonderland.
“I’m hoping to do The Hashish-Eater next,” says Johnny Depp, “From J M Barrie to Lewis Carroll, Poe and even Baudelaire...their work will leave you absolutely stupefied. It’s an incredible period in which the work is timeless and ageless. I have a deep passion for those great 19th century writers,” says Depp.
Burton and Depp have worked together on seven movies; right from animation and science fiction to dark comedy and horror. It seems like Depp’s prowess has made him the perfect muse for Burton who loves portraying misfits in society. But Johnny owes it all to Tim Burton, whom he calls a uniquely brilliant filmmaker. “To be able to do anything that Tim wants me to do is an honour. He could have cast me as Alice and I would have said yes. I would have done whatever character Tim wanted. But, being able to breathe life into the character of the Mad Hatter — taking what Lewis Carroll has done, combined with Tim’s vision and throwing in my own stuff — this is what dreams are made of. For me, it’s a dream come true,” says Johnny. The movie adds a magical twist to the beloved story that children of this era are unfamiliar with.
Johnny has had a blast and yet managed to keep his hat on. He says his entire career has been like a trip through Wonderland, but the Mad Hatter character is special. “He’s like a beating heart; a person who cannot hide anything, a person whose emotions are close to the surface,” he explains.
On Mia Wasikowska, who landed the role of Alice after beating thousands of young actresses, Depp says she was not an obvious choice. All of 20, Mia seems to have made an impression with her performance. “Mia is otherworldly. She’s an interesting choice for Alice. She’s just perfect for it,” signs off Depp.