Johnny Depp To Produce, Possibly Star In Dr. Seuss Biopic
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Johnny Depp seems to have an affinity for authors. With such film roles as J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland and Hunter S. Thompson in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and The Rum Diary (among others) under his acting belt, he’s now tackling famed children’s author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.
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Depp, who will produce the live-action biopic with Christi Dembroski, Christopher Melendari and David Kennedy, isn’t officially confirmed to play the role of the man who penned classic children’s books such as The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but is likely to.
The film will be developed by Illumination Entertainment and Infinite Nihil, and will be distributed by Universal Pictures. Keith Bunin (In Treatment) will write the screenplay. Producers say, while unlikely to be ladened with CGI, the film is likely to have touches of animation.
Some will argue that Depp’s star has fallen a bit, floundering in caricature roles over the years. But if someone can capture the whimsical magic that a film centered around Dr. Seuss inhibits, Depp is more than capable. While he has buttered his bread with over-the-top roles, he’s proven that he’s effective in more subdued ones, which I’m sure (hoping) the character of Theodor Geisel will be. At least he’s not a pirate this time around.
