Never mind the review, the fact that Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland adaptation made just over $1 billion in 2010 so Disney has been in the process of developing a sequel. The Muppets director James Bobin is stepping into Burton’s shoes behind the camera, but it looks like no one will be replacing Johnny Depp in the role of the Mad Hatter.
Deadline is reporting that the actor is in final negotiations to reprise his role of the Mad Hatter in the sequel. For those keeping track, this is now the second potential franchise that Depp has signed onto for the first installment without a contract option for possible sequels. Earlier this month it was revealed that Depp was not signed for potential Lone Ranger sequels and that Disney would have to negotiate a new deal for him to return. Of course, a look at the dismal box office receipts for the western show that that shouldn’t be a concern for the studio.
And while I do usually enjoy Depp as a performer, I hated his work in Alice In Wonderland. Although, truth be told, I hated just about everything about that film. I am really starting to miss the Depp who took on interesting roles, the actor who took a chance even if the film turned out to be not so good. Now, not even his performance can keep me engaged if the movie he is in is bad. Hopefully, his work in the upcoming adaptation of the musical Into the Woods, the comedy thriller Mortdecai or the upcoming Transcendence will reverse the trend.
