Yahoo Movies Terry Gilliam: Hollywood Films Have Very Few Ideas
"I ask myself: ‘What is Johnny Depp doing?'" says director.
Renowned renegade director Terry Gilliam has spoken out about the lack of originality in Hollywood blockbusters.
In a recent interview with Metro, the 73-year-old Python spoke frankly about how he finds the majority of today’s cinematic output uninspiring - chastising his Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas star Johnny Depp for his recent roles.
[Gilliam surprised by his star power]
“There are very few ideas in those films,” said Gilliam. “They’re entertainments to keep you occupied.
“I ask myself: ‘What is Johnny doing?’. He’s a wonderful actor but the performance? ‘White man! Stupid!’ Come on, John, you’re great. Get out there and work again.”
The respected director, who’s currently pulling double promotion duty for his new film The Zero Theorem as well as the upcoming Monty Python reunion, also ruled out the potential of Depp starring in his next project - The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.
The two tried to get the film off the ground in 2000, but production was halted mid-shoot. 14 years later, Gillam says Depp is no longer a possibility for the lead.
“He’s got too old,” explained Gillam, who remains determined to get the film made. “I keep thinking maybe I should never make it – too many people have expectations of what it might be. And I never want to be caught in other people’s expectations. That’s a horrible thing.”
[Giliam threw strop on Grail set]
But despite the director’s obvious ennui with Hollywood, a small part in one upcoming big budget blockbuster has pushed his buttons.
Gilliam has a cameo in Lana and Larry Wachowski’s upcoming sci-fi spectacular, Jupiter Ascending.
“I normally shy away from cameos but in this one, for whatever reason, I just got into it and had a ball,” Gilliam admitted. “They wrote this scene that, in their mind, was a homage to Brazil, so I ended up being this clerk… it’s basically me, Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum, and I got the funny make-up and was able to chew up the scenery.”
Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem hits cinemas this weekend. Jupiter Ascending is due in July.
