Johnny Depp to play Jacko? - Movie blog - Movies

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created Jul 1 2009, 15:28Johnny Depp to play Jacko?

The question mark is misleading: of course he won't. But who should?

Some clever tabloid writer has just realised that, given Michael Jackson's recent death plus the fact that Johnny Depp gave a pretty good Jacko impersonation in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, the actor is apparently "in the frame" to play the singer in a biopic.

Nonsense. Even more ridiculous is that one reporter even had the audacity to ask Depp, in town to promote Public Enemies, to verify the claim. "As far as playing him in a movie, it's such an obtuse rumour I never had the pleasure of cultivating," Depp replied diplomatically, before presumably slapping his forehead and going "Durrr".

Consider the following. Not only has Michael Jackson not even been buried yet (seriously, Hollywood doesn't work that fast), but a Jacko biopic would be nigh on impossible to cast. With Michael's chameleonic appearance and fluctuating skin colour, by our reckoning you'd need to hire about four different guys to play him. Either that or go the whole hog and create a CG Michael Jackson a la Jar Jar Binks. Or maybe not.

Let's dare to dream. Which actors have the kind of range to play Michael Jackson in a movie of his life? Will Smith? Steve Buscemi? Michael Sheen? Let's hear your suggestions below. Us? We need to sit down: this one hurts our heads just thinking about it. We prefer the movies of the man himself.

Update: Johnny Depp is now the bookie's favourite to play Jacko with odds of 3/1. Jamie Foxx is second favourite at 5/4, while Wesley Snipes - yes, Wesley Snipes - is 6/1. Heaven help us.

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oe from Derby, England says:

Jul 2, 08:59

For heavens sake at least let the man be layed to rest before you pick his life apart.

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Tricky from Probably on the sofa says:

Jul 2, 08:25

I think they could do it with three or forur actors. The recent Bob Dylan biopic did it so why can't they do it with a Michael Jackson biopic?

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Hoodwinked! from S London says:

Jul 1, 22:20

Johnny Depp is a great casting choice in the looks and voice impersonation department, but only represents his likeness towards the end - And then there's the talent, its diversity - in short, untouchable! What a casting headache it would be?

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jonathan from wombwell says:

Jul 1, 20:51

very good idea jhonny depp is a very good look alike bring it on

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Scott from Edinburgh says:

Jul 1, 20:38

For goodness sake they should stop being such insensitive jerks the man just died last week. Yes his life would make an interesting movies but honestly how far do they have to go. They never left him alone in life the least they could do is leave him alone in death

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