Johnny Depp Opens Up About The Importance of 'Edward Scissorhands' on His Career

Johnny Depp clinched his breakthrough role in ‘Edward Scissorhands,’ edging out industry heavyweights like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and even Michael Jackson for the iconic part in Tim Burton’s 1990 gothic fantasy. In an interview with director Tara Wood, the 61-year-old actor revealed that Cruise was very close to securing the role of Edward Scissorhands,

Ultimately, Depp landed the role of Edward, a gentle outcast with scissors for hands, created by a scientist portrayed by Vincent Price. The narrative follows Edward's journey as he is taken into the suburban home of a local woman, played by Dianne Wiest, where he falls in love with her daughter, portrayed by Winona Ryder, amidst the challenges of societal rejection.

Also Read: Johnny Depp Beat Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise And Michael Jackson For Role in ‘Edward Scissorhands’

Reflecting on the script by Burton and Caroline Thompson, Depp expressed a profound connection to Edward, describing both the writing and the character as beautiful. He saw himself in the role, stating, "The writing was beautiful. The character was beautiful. What I suppose [attracted] me emotionally was that Edward was me. It’s exactly what I should be doing.”

Depp, previously known for his stint on ‘21 Jump Street’ from 1987 to 1990, sought to break away from his teen idol image. His role in John Waters’ 1990 cult classic ‘Cry-Baby’ marked his initial departure from that persona. Despite doubts about being cast due to Burton's rising fame, Depp eventually landed the role, which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.

His collaboration with Burton continued in several subsequent films, including ‘Ed Wood’ (1994), ‘Sleepy Hollow’ (1999), ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (2005), ‘Corpse Bride’ (2005), ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ (2007), ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2010), and ‘Dark Shadows’ (2012).

Depp discusses these experiences in the untitled Tim Burton docuseries.

– Farheen Ali