Johnny Depp curiously turned down a starring role in a nostalgic ’90s action thriller, and U.K.-based travel and art magazine Far Out unearthed all the details on March 8, 2025.
The film whose casting was in question is “Face/Off,” a brilliantly written project with a screenplay by Michael Colleary and Mike Werb. The talented duo is also known for working on “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” per IMDb, and has been involved in several other notable projects.
“Face/Off,” which premiered on June 19, 1997, was a fan favorite and a financial success. According to Yardbarker, it grossed over $245 million worldwide against its $80 million budget.
There was also a lot of star power involved in the project. At the time Depp was approached to star, Far Out says Nicolas Cage was already interested in taking the other starring role.
GettySo why wasn’t Johnny Depp, who was 34 at the time, interested in the role?
A Hilarious Misunderstanding Made Depp Back Out of the Role
The reason Depp turned down the famous role is almost hard to believe.
The “Gilbert Grape” star said no to the part because he was disappointed the movie wasn’t about hockey, says Far Out.
The magazine explained that Depp “supposedly believed Face/Off was a movie about hockey – thanks to the title – and was gutted when he realised it was actually an action film.”
The piece continued, “A dismayed Depp said ‘sayonara’ to ‘Face/Off,’ and with him went Brambilla.”
Far Out says script writer Michael Colleary considered Depp’s change of heart a happy coincidence, believing the right cast was ultimately chosen.
“Colleary, who wasn’t exactly broken up by this version of the movie falling apart, grinned, ‘A lot of things had to go wrong to help this movie along,’ ” the piece concludes.
Johnny Depp Just Appeared in Tim Burton Documentary Teaser
In other Depp news, The Hollywood Reporter announced on March 13, 2025, that the “Edward Scissorhands” star was spotted in the first look at director Tara Woods’ upcoming documentary on Tim Burton.
The magazine says Depp commented about “The Nightmare Before Christmas” director, “He’s an auteur, he’s a visionary, he’s an artist with images and thoughts.”
The superstar went on, ““He’s got a lot going on in there. Tim is the real thing.”
Other stars appearing in the project include Helena Bonham Carter, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton.
The four-part, currently untitled film is being shopped by WME, per the report.
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