website tracking
Search The Big Picture

« Very Hip 'Book of Eli' Comic Con Posters | Main | Dark Horse Comic 'Fear Agent' May Become a Movie »
Tuesday
14Jul2009

Depp Rat Pack Rumor #2: Playing Dean Martin

DateTuesday, July 14, 2009 at 11:59AM
This is a rumor I can endorse. When Johnny Depp's name first circulated as a possible Frank Sinatra for Martin Scorsese, I thought it was way too predictable, at least as rumors go. Depp is a fantastic actor, and I don't think anyone would question that, but it takes a certain kind of role to get the most of your Johnny Depp investment. We didn't see it in his John Dillinger, and I don't think we'd see it out of his Sinatra.

However, Depp as Dino? Ain't that a kick in the head?

The Examiner says that Dean Martin's daughter, Deana, told a Boston radio station that Joe Mantegna will direct a bio-pic of the late singer/actor/largest minority RCA shareholder, based on a script written by Bonnie Hunt. That's a strange mix, and nowhere near as riveting as the idea for a Scorsese-helmed movie that would star Tom Hanks and be based on the Nick Tosches book. But Depp would certainly make it a bit more compelling.

There's not deal in place, and it doesn't sound like he's even been approached. All Martin's daughter would say was, "[Depp] is a tremendous actor, he has that charm, that swagger, and the resemblance of my father is there. I’m sure he would do the role justice!”

Mantegna played Martin in the Rat Pack HBO movie, and he was fine, but didn't have as much charm as the role demands. That's pretty much all of Dean Martin's appeal. Depp would be able to pull it off, and I'd love to see it. I doubt a movie with Joe Mantegna directing can lure Captain Jack in financially, but it's certainly a fun prospect to think about.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment3 Comments |

Reader Comments (3)

"We didn't see it in his John Dillinger..."
Johnny Depp was great in Public Enemies. I have gotten very tired of his other performances. It was great to see him more restrained than he has been in years.
And everyone else that I have spoken to that has seen Public Enemies also thought we was great. So maybe the "we didn't see it in his Jphn Dillinger" should be "I didn't see it in his John Dillinger."

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCharcole

He had two really good scenes: Taking Billie away from the coat check room and walking through the Dillinger Division at CPD. Otherwise, it was a pretty unspectacular performance. Not bad, but not terribly memorable in the grand scheme of things.

He can be good in restrained roles - The Ninth Gate, Donnie Brasco, and Secret Window - but read the statement again: "(I)t takes a certain kind of role to get the most of your Johnny Depp investment. We didn't see it in his John Dillinger, and I don't think we'd see it out of his Sinatra." You don't hire Jack Nicholson to play Henry Fonda roles and vice versa.

Johnny Depp is a first-rate scene-chewing force of nature. Stolid ain't his thing, nor should it be. I don't really blame him for anything in Public Enemies; I didn't think he had much of a script to work with, which is a shame. But do you think this ranks among his best work? Scissorhands, Captain Jack, J.M. Barrie, Ed Wood...I don't think history will elevate it that high.

Conversely, he could make a fantastic Dean Martin, who had a huge personality, whereas I think his sensibilities are just wrong to play Sinatra.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

Ya need a good Dino Singer pally??? I'm your man, check out my web site at www.theroydavisshow.com

Sunday, August 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterRoy Davis

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>