Tom Cruise and MJ were also contenders for the role of Edward Scissorhands, but Johnny Depp won

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Image Credit: 20th Century Studios

Edward Scissorhands (1990), which represents the early days of Johnny Depp’s career, was also a turning point for both Depp and director Tim Burton, who would go on to team up on numerous occasions afterward. In fact, some distinguished actors were considered for the role of the main character, Edward, and it seems that Depp ended up winning the lead role. According to People, the US media outlet. Edward Scissorhands is a love story about the relationship between Edward (Depp), an artificial human with scissors for hands, and Kim (Winona Ryder). Depp sensitively portrays the frustration of wanting to hug Kim but being afraid of hurting her with the scissors, and the irritation of being looked at curiously by the townspeople.

Depp, who is appearing in a documentary (title undecided) that looks into Burton's career and work, said that when production began, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Michael Jackson, who were all considered for the role of Edward, had been in contact with Burton. Depp said, "Tom Cruise was actually pretty close to playing the role of Edward." However, it was none other than Depp who got the role, and he revealed that he was confident about the role of Edward, saying, "The script by Burton and Caroline Thompson went beyond everything and reached the core of who I am. The script and the character were beautiful, and what captivated me emotionally above all was that Edward is me. This was the role I was meant to play."

The year 1990 was when Tom Cruise began to receive high praise for his acting skills after the first Top Gun in 1986, with films such as Rain Man (1988) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Tom Hanks made the most of his talent as a stand-up comedian and blossomed as a comedic actor in films such as Big (1988) and The Mayfield Tribe (1989). Michael Jackson was at the peak of his career, beginning to be called the "King of Pop." Considering that Depp won the role of Edward after competing against other candidates who already had the aura of a star, it makes sense that he would later collaborate with Burton.

Depp, who has been keeping his distance from Hollywood blockbusters in recent years, has just been reported to appear in Terry Gilliam's latest film, The Carnival at the End of Days, alongside Jeff Bridges, Adam Driver, and Jason Momoa. Depp and Gilliam are old friends who have worked together on several films, so there are high hopes for the film. There may still be a chance that Depp will appear in another Burton film someday.

Source: People