Johnny Depp Could Replace Hugh Jackman In ‘Collateral Beauty’, From ‘Me And Earl’ Director
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’sMe and Earl and the Dying Girlwas a scrappy indie effort populated by character actors and young rising stars. But his next filmCollateral Beautyis going for A-list name recognition.Johnny Deppis reportedly being courted to star, asHugh Jackmanunfortunately drops out. More on the possible Johnny DeppCollateral Beautycasting after the jump.
Jackman was originally signed forCollateral Beautyback in May, butDeadlinenow reports he’s had to drop out over scheduling conflicts with the thirdWolverinesolo movie. Producers are hoping to secure Depp as a replacement, though the trade stresses there’s still a ways to go before any deal is signed.Rooney MaraandJason Segelremain on board.
Written byAllan Loeb(Rock of Ages),Collateral Beautycenters on a New York ad exec who spirals into depression after a major tragedy. His colleagues come up with an unusual plan to pull him out of his funk. They succeed, but then are faced with some unexpected consequences.
Five years ago, Depp for Jackman might’ve seemed like a fair trade or even an upgrade. And to be sure, Depp is still a bigger household name than Jackman is. But at this point, Depp is coming off of a string of flops includingMortedecai,Tusk, andTranscendence. Worse, they’re flops that he himself was not very good in.
His upcoming slate is not much more promising. He seems to be back to his usual tricks (prosthetics, accents, funny tics) in the Whitey Bulger biopicBlack Mass, and after that he’s set to reprise several of his old roles inYoga Hosers,Pirates of the Caribbean 5, andAlice in Wonderland 2. But who knows, maybe a more straightforward role likeCollateral Beautyis exactly what he needs to prove himself.
Between Loeb’s hot script and Gomez-Rejon’s Sundance success,Collateral Beautyis already getting a lot of buzz. Shooting is expected to begin this fall.
