Johnny Depp Called Overblown & Overrated In Brian Cox’s New Memoir

Brian Cox started acting in the 1960s and has been prominent in cinema, television, and theatre ever since. Brian was the first actor to portray Hannibal Lecter on film in the cult classic Manhunter. Recently, in his new autobiography, Cox has roasted many celebrities including Johnny Depp.

In his new autobiography, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, Brian Cox roasted various Hollywood celebrities, including Johnny Depp. The renowned actor is presently starring as the acid-tongued tycoon Logan Roy in HBO’s popular drama Succession.

Cox’s memoir, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, details his decades-long career, including parts such as Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody in Harry Potter, and Governor Swan in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Roy appears to have rubbed off on Cox, with the actor taking aim at Quentin Tarantino, Steven Seagal, and Johnny Depp, to name a few. Cox also recounted how he passed down the chance to co-star with Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. He passed on the role of the Governor which subsequently went to Jonathan Pryce.

“Meanwhile, I turned my nose up at the part of the Governor in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a role that was eventually played by Jonathan Pryce. The guy who directed Pirates was Gore Verbinski, with whom I made The Ring, and he’s a lovely chap but I think I blotted my copybook by turning down the Governor. It would have been a money-spinner, but of all the parts in that film, it was the most thankless, plus I would have ended up doing it for film after film and missed out on all the other nice things I’ve done”

“Another thing with Pirates of the Caribbean is that it’s very much the “Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow” show, and Depp, personable though I’m sure he is, is so overblown, so overrated. I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Let’s face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face make-up, you don’t have to do anything. And he didn’t. And subsequently, he’s done even less. But people love him. Or they did love him. They don’t love him so much these days, of course. If Johnny Depp went for Jack Sparrow now, they’d give it to Brendan Gleeson. So no—no regrets about Pirates, I don’t think.”

Along with criticism, Cox’s book was filled with appreciation for actors such as Alan Rickman and Morgan Freeman. If you want to read more about what the legend has to say about other celebrities, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat is now available. Keep an eye on Thirsty for more updates.

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