Johnny Depp: Dr. Seuss Biopic Movie Planned

While he's once again slipping into the skin of a hard-drinking, hard-charging and foul mouthed writer in a major motion picture this fall, Johnny Depp's next shot at bringing a beloved author to the big screen will be a whole different story.

Starring as Hunter S. Thompson in November's "The Rum Diary," The Hollywood Reporter relays that Depp and his production company are developing a live-action film about the life of Dr. Seuss. Depp has the option to star as the famed author, who, real name Theodor Geisel, penned some of the world's most famous children's books, including "The Cat In The Hat," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!," and "Green Eggs and Ham."

Depp has also played J.M. Barrie, who wrote "Peter Pan," in "Finding Neverland." He has a strong history with bringing to life children's books, starring both as Willy Wonka in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and The Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland."

Aside from their famed TV specials, a number of Seuss's books have been made into feature films over the last decade or so. Jim Carrey starred in 2000 in a live-action "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," which opened to mixed reviews but earned $345 million worldwide. Mike Myers' 2003 version of "The Cat In The Hat" did not fare so well, taking in only $133 million, while the animated "Horton Hears A Who" netted $298 million in 2008.

Depp is currently filming an adaptation of the 60s supernatural soap opera, "Dark Shadows," and will also feature in another literary adaptation, Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man."

For more, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.

Comments

[love4life]

01:15 PM on 10/09/2011

Anything with JD in it. I'm in.

Hopefully Shantaram is still in the works.

[Billv1]

06:55 PM on 10/08/2011

The headline had NOTHING to do with the article. I thought we were headed for another "Hurricane"-type story. In that movie, it was falsely stated as fact that he beat Joey Giardello, when in reality, Giardello won.

[hdmeerk7]

07:11 PM on 10/08/2011

no kidding, I regret clicking on that one to read further.

[Barb Hatfield]

06:53 PM on 10/08/2011

Hurray hurray hurray for this day and a high price I'll pay, for I must see this movie, I must I must I must I say!

[iscsilv]

04:57 PM on 10/08/2011

Kevin Spacey is the best actor in the world.Johnny Depp can't play a role unless he is covered in makeup and sporting a ''foreign''accent

[lindamom]

06:14 PM on 10/08/2011

I love Kevin too and wish he would make more movies, wish Johnny would stop making kid movies cause I like him too - ever since Broad Street on TV. Anyone remember that show, oh so long ago?

[k626response]

09:57 PM on 10/08/2011

I remember him in "21 Jump Street". I really liked that show. That was a good cast.

[Canton Raos]

06:20 PM on 10/08/2011

i've loved both of them in some movies and hated them in others. there are very few actors that i have enjoyed in every role they've taken on. just my opinion of course

[cabinetmaniac]

06:36 PM on 10/08/2011

What you are doing is spam.

Flagged

[GoodDecisions]

09:55 PM on 10/08/2011

Flaggged as well.

IF EVERYONE would take 3 seconds to flag these spammers, maybe it would make their pathethic lives more difficult.

[Edward Standley]

04:10 AM on 10/08/2011

Looking back over his career, I'm struck by how eclectic his role choices have been. Very interesting and pretty brave. I'm generally not a "fan" type of person, but I really appreciate what the guy has done.

[lillibelle]

12:35 PM on 10/08/2011

Yes. F & F.

[Backtalkisahorse]

12:50 AM on 10/08/2011

Ohhh Johnny...!

[juddydi]

06:06 PM on 10/07/2011

I am sure the talented Mr. Depp can handle playing Dr. Seuss...as well as Nick Charles in THE THIN MAN. Cannot wait to see him as Barnabas Collins in DARK SHADOWS...

[eddiegriffin4]

01:10 AM on 10/08/2011

JOHNNY IS AT THE POINT WHERE I THINK IS PROBABLY GOING TO DO HIS BEST WORK DO WE WANT HIS BEST TO BE ORIGINAL JOHN YOU ARE A DAMB ORIGINAL STEER HIM WILL ANYTHING BE THE BEST THAT HE DOES EASY YES YES BUT YOUR THING INDIANAH JONES LIKE YOUR SHIT JOHNNY DO YOUR THING FOR YOUR BEST FILM AND ORIGINAL.

[thegoodspeed]

08:59 AM on 10/08/2011

what?!?!?!?

[lewtripp]

05:06 PM on 10/08/2011

Try that again in english.

[lindamom]

06:16 PM on 10/08/2011

Oh we are showing our ages for all to know, but I can't wait for that one either!

[brahdog]

05:43 PM on 10/07/2011

dang. i was guessing the duchess of alba

[DDL13]

05:32 PM on 10/07/2011

Oh wow Dark Shadows, no doubt he'd make a great Barnabas. He's good in everything he does.

[baxtron]

04:57 PM on 10/07/2011

Finding Neverland was an excellent movie. I am sure Mr. Depp can handle this role with the subtlety of Dr. Suess.

[gomezrules]

04:30 PM on 10/07/2011

I'd like to see Depp star in a movie about Timothy Leary! That could be a hoot!

[c00kieo21]

05:22 PM on 10/07/2011

And it would fit him to a T.

[mrsmagoo1953]

03:40 PM on 10/07/2011

JOHNNY DEPP CAN DANCE NAKED ON A TABLETOP AND I WOULD STILL LOVE HIM.

[LiberalLee]

05:54 PM on 10/07/2011

:) you make it sound like that's a bad thing...
He could eat soup in bed without a bowl and get no complaints at my house!

[mrsmagoo1953]

05:58 PM on 10/07/2011

LET'S CALL HIM .

[dav0001]

05:10 PM on 10/08/2011

If he did that I think it would be safe to say you'd love him even more then you already do.

[by-the-sea-]

02:11 PM on 10/07/2011

Ooh, a new movie about Hunter S. Thompson, awesome! I can't get enough of Johnny's rendition of Hunter, it's so perfect. Fear and Loathing is my favorite movie, I could watch it every day!

The Seuss thing should be cool too, as long as he doesn't take it down the same road he has with his other quirky fantasy characters....

[BillAnthony]

11:12 PM on 10/08/2011

I don't dislike Depp, he involves himself in interesting characters and subjects. I thought he missed the mark badly in Fear and Loathing though. Wrong energy. HST's narrative style doesn't suggest the cartoonishly "quirky" and jittery character Depp plays to the hilt. Then again I admit I'm biased towards the book.

Depp fan should check out The Doors documentary "When You're Strange". Not only incredible "never seen" footage of the band, and to compliment it genuinely outstanding narration by Depp.

[Connie Clements]

02:03 PM on 10/07/2011

Why does this not surprise me.... He will be great!!!!!!!!!!! I will see the movie and own it when it comes out on DVD for sure!!!!!!