How Johnny Depp Landed a $10,000-Per-Word Movie Deal!

Years ago, actor Johnny Depp likely could have had his pick of nearly any film project that required a young and attractive male lead to play a character. In recent years, however, things have been different for the critically acclaimed actor, thanks in part to the efforts of his ex-wife–efforts that ultimately prompted Depp to bring suit against her in an attempt to clear his good name and set the record straight.

Thankfully, the less-than-well-intentioned efforts on the part of Depp’s ex-wife weren’t able to keep him from the role of a lifetime for the beloved actor–a role that came with compensation equal to $10,000 for every word Depp spoke in the film.

A man with dark hair, a mustache, and goatee, reminiscent of Johnny Depp's acting roles, is wearing a dark suit jacket with a white shirt and red pocket square. The background features colorful, out-of-focus circular lights, creating a festive and dreamy atmosphere. — Credit: DisneyDining

Johnny Depp’s Rise to Super-stardom

Johnny Depp’s rise to Hollywood stardom began in the 1980s, primarily with his role as Officer Tom Hanson in the popular television series 21 Jump Street (1987-1991). This role made Depp a teen idol, but it was his desire to take on more unconventional roles that truly set him on a path to lasting success.

A person with tousled dark hair and a serious expression is resting their chin on their hands while seated. They are wearing a dark jacket and have an earring in their left ear, reminiscent of one of Johnny Depp's acting roles. The blurred background suggests an indoor setting, likely a crowded room. — Johnny Depp in “21 Jump Street”/Credit: SHOUT/Stephen Cannell Productions, Inc.

His breakout film role came in 1990 with Edward Scissorhands, directed by Tim Burton. Playing the titular character, an artificial man with scissors for hands, Depp delivered a poignant performance that showcased his ability to portray eccentric and emotionally complex characters. This role not only solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood but also marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration with Burton.

A person in a dark, black leather suit with scissor-like hands stands in a garden reminiscent of a Hollywood set. The vibrant scene features colorful flowers and intricately sculpted topiaries; one resembles a deer, another an antlered creature. Could this be the beginning of Johnny Depp's next movie deal? — Credit: Disney/20th Century Studios

Following Edward Scissorhands, Depp continued to choose diverse and often quirky roles that defied the traditional leading man archetype.

His performances in films like Benny & Joon (1993), in which he played a quirky Buster Keaton-inspired character, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), in which he portrayed a young man caring for his mentally impaired brother, further demonstrated his range and depth as an actor.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' — Credit: Disney

However, it was his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) that catapulted him into global superstardom. Depp’s portrayal of the roguish and unpredictable pirate was both critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences, earning him an Academy Award nomination and cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and bankable stars.

He followed that performance by embodying Captain Jack four more times in successive films in the Pirates franchise.

Depp In Demand In Hollywood

To say that Johnny Depp has enjoyed a career in which he has been in high demand would be a grand understatement. Once upon a time, Depp likely could have had his pick of any role and named his price along the way. In fact, over the course of his more than 40-year-long career, Depp has starred in more than 70 films.

Person dressed as Willy Wonka in a velvet maroon coat, black shirt, top hat, and gloves, holding a cane and raising one finger, reminiscent of Johnny Depp's iconic acting roles. The background is plain gray. — Depp channels his inner Willy Wonka/Credit: Warner Bros.

But after his divorce from actress Amber Heard in 2017, Depp’s career opportunities began to sour.

A Former Spouse Aims to Take Depp Down

In 2018, Heard penned an opinion editorial for The Washington Post, and in the piece, she detailed her experiences as a victim of domestic abuse. Though she never mentioned Johnny Depp by name, her intentions were clear in the piece, and Depp’s name was sullied once the piece was published.

In April 2022, Depp and Heard met in a courthouse in Fairfax County, Virginia. Depp had sued Heard for defamation, and Heard immediately responded with a motion to have the court case moved to another state. When she was unsuccessful, she responded by countersuing Depp in the matter.

Two individuals are depicted in a split-screen format. The person on the left, reminiscent of one of Johnny Depp's acting roles, has long brown hair, is wearing sunglasses, and is dressed in a dark suit with a scarf. The person on the right has long blonde hair and is wearing a black top. Both appear to be outdoors. — Credit: YouTube/Law & Crime TV

For six weeks, testimony was given by Depp, Heard, and a myriad of associates, employees, and others with knowledge of the former couple and the happenings between them. Then, in June 2022, the jury returned its verdict, finding that Heard had defamed Depp and that Depp had not defamed Heard.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard (as Mera) — Credit: Inside the Magic

Despite the verdict, however, the damage was seemingly done, and Depp’s acting opportunities only continued to dwindle.

Quite a Change Takes Place

Hollywood’s recent trend of denying roles to Johnny Depp is quite a switch from Hollywood’s former trends when it comes to casting Depp in various roles.

Over the years, Depp has embodied a variety of characters, including Ichabod Crane in Disney’s Sleepy Hollow (1999), a candy maker in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and the Mad Hatter in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (2010 and 2016), among other roles.

A man with wavy, dark hair and a stern expression is dressed in historical attire, including a high-collared black coat and white cravat. The background is a foggy, forested area, giving the scene the same mysterious atmosphere reminiscent of some of Johnny Depp's iconic acting roles. — Depp as Ichabod Crane in Disney’s “Sleepy Hollow” (1999)/Credit: Disney

For Johnny Depp, the fallout became very real as he had gone from the king of Hollywood–by some fans’ accounts–to an actor with a pool of acting opportunities as dry as the hottest part of the desert. It’s quite the opposite visage from what fans saw in the years leading up to 2018, especially when fans look to one film that seems to illustrate just how “in demand” Depp had been for years.

$10,000 Per Word Spoken In the Film

In 1990, only a few years after Depp made his acting debut, he was cast in the starring role in a film written and directed by Tim Burton.

edward scissorhands neighborhood — Credit: Disney

Edward Scissorhands debuted at the box office on December 7, 1990, and was an instant blockbuster.

The film tells the story of an artificial young man, Edward Scissorhands, created by a scientist (Vincent Price) who dies before his project is completed. But before he dies, the scientist does give Edward an almost absurdly freakish appearance by giving him scissor blades instead of hands. The film follows the story of Edward’s life, which is turned upside-down when a suburban family takes him in as one of their own.

A character with pale skin, wild black hair, and dark circles around his eyes, reminiscent of Johnny Depp acting roles, wears a white shirt with black suspenders. His hands are replaced by an array of scissors and blades. He intensely focuses on a small green object held by his scissor hands. — Credit: Disney/20th Century Studios

In the film, Depp embodies Edward Scissorhands, bringing the character to dazzling life. But the film called for Depp to speak very little, as Edward Scissorhands is a (non-human) man of very few words.

In fact, in the entire film, Depp is only tasked with speaking approximately 150 words, which might be a minor role for any other actor in Hollywood. For Depp, though, the payout was phenomenal as he earned a whopping $1.5 million for the role–the equivalent of $10,000 per spoken word.

Ready for a blast from the past? Check out the classic trailer for the iconic film below:

To say that Johnny Depp was once in great demand is an understatement.

Here’s hoping Hollywood can get back to bringing Depp back to the big screen and back to his fans. (Disney, you should go first!)