“The Rum Diary” is an upcoming film based on the novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. The film is directed by Bruce Robinson and stars Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Here is the premise of the movie: Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is an itinerant journalist who grows tired of New York and America under the Eisenhower administration and travels to Puerto Rico to write for the San Juan Star. Kemp begins the habit of drinking rum and becomes obsessed with a woman named Chenault (Amber Heard).

“The Rum Diary” is set to open in theaters on October 28, 2011.

Watch the trailer here:

‘The Rum Diary’ Starring Johnny Depp – Movie Posters and Trailer originally appeared on Starmometer on October 15, 2011.

Filming begins this week on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Dark Shadows,” which brings the cult classic television series to the big screen under the direction of Tim Burton. The film’s all-star ensemble cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Bella Heathcote, Chloe Moretz, and newcomer Gulliver McGrath.

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.

Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles.

Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David’s new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

Burton is directing and producing “Dark Shadows” from a screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith, story by John August and Grahame-Smith, based on the television series created by Dan Curtis. Also producing are Oscar® winner Richard D. Zanuck (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Driving Miss Daisy”), continuing his long association with Burton; Oscar® winner Graham King, (“Rango,” “The Departed”), continuing his collaboration with Depp; Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, and David Kennedy. The executive producers are Chris Lebenzon, Nigel Gostelow, Tim Headington, and Bruce Berman.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, Oscar®-winning production designer Rick Heinrichs (“Sleepy Hollow”), Oscar®-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Alice in Wonderland”) and editor Chris Lebenzon (“Alice in Wonderland”). The score will be composed by Danny Elfman.

“Dark Shadows” is being filmed entirely in England, both at Pinewood Studios and on location.

“Dark Shadows” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter Head an All-Star Cast on ‘Dark Shadows’ originally appeared on Starmometer on May 20, 2011.

“The idea of a fourth one after finishing ‘Pirates 3’ was somewhere in the back of your head, thinking ‘I sure hope so,’” notes Depp.
“When you’re done playing Captain Jack, there’s a real decompression getting out of that skin, because I like being in that skin,’ says Depp. “There’s a great comfort in playing Captain Jack, because you have license to be completely irreverent, completely subversive, absolutely abstract in all situations. I know him so well that it just comes naturally.”

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), Jack Sparrow is not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica.
Depp adds, “I was very happy with the work that Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio did on the screenplay for ‘On Stranger Tides.’ It was like the gates were reopened and it was all fresh. It really felt closer in spirit to the first film, getting from Point A to Point D to Point Z without too many subplots and complications.”

Depp was also enthusiastic to work for a fourth time with Jerry Bruckheimer, who had guarded the actor’s wholly original vision of Captain Jack Sparrow when the first film began to shoot. “We wouldn’t have been able to get away with a third of what we got away with on ‘Pirates 1’ without Jerry Bruckheimer,” states the actor. “Without Jerry’s support, and his understanding of the material, saying ‘Okay, I know that some people are scared but this sure seems funny to me, why don’t we go with it,’ the first film would have been much more generic, not much fun, and I would have been fired!

“Jerry knows these films well. I’ve been in umpteen script meetings with the guy and never a false note comes up; he always comes up with something interesting. And if you’re in a pinch, he’s always the guy who says ‘Don’t worry about it; we’ll get it taken care of.’ Jerry really produces; he’s untamed all the time and allows us to be in an atmosphere that’s conducive to making something interesting and different. There have never been pressures in that regard; it’s always sort of, you know, Bruckheimer’s got it. You know he’s handling it. It’s cool.”

Bruckheimer notes, “At this point Johnny is the most popular actor in the world, one of the best actors in the world, and certainly the most committed and hard-working. He’s somebody you love working with because every day he comes on the set with a smile, ready to go to work and have a great time, yet work very hard.”

Opening across the Philippines on May 20 2011 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and regular format, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Depp on a Quest for the Fountain of Youth in 4th ‘Pirates’ Film originally appeared on Starmometer on May 9, 2011.

They are Daphne Joy and Michael Rosales, who play a mermaid and a pirate on the Queen Anne’s Revenge, respectively.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), Jack Sparrow (Depp) is not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica.

A multicultural actor/rap artist/performer, Michael Ilano Rosales was chosen to play a “pirate from the Philippines” from a pool of over 4,000 aspirants. It was also his first-ever acting audition. His Hollywood journey would take him from his home of Hawaii, across 11,000 kilometers to London, where his scenes in “On Stranger Tides” were shot.

As a musician, Rosales transforms into Mic3—Mic (Mike), short for Michael, 3 for the third child, and the 3 for the main islands of the Philippines. His goal is to reconstruct today’s hip-hop landscape, to bring it back to its artistic foundation and roots and provide a meaningful message to the listener. In 2008, Rosales released his first full-length album, “Respect My Pride.” The album features English and Filipino language music that inspires an appreciation of the Filipino culture and heritage. A feature video, “Balikbayan,” was filmed in the Philppines, reinforcing the cultural messages found in his music behind a backdrop of historical Philippine landmarks. Rosales has shared the stage with several notable performers, including Damian Marley and Busta Rhymes.

Counting the recent hit “Just Go With It” and such popular TV shows as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Criminal Minds” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to her credits, Daphne Joy was born and raised in the heart of Olongapo, Philippines. Although her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was just 8 years old, she was able to retain her Filipino culture and upbringing. Despite the language barriers and overall culture shock, Daphne was able to completely readjust to her new surroundings, and with her natural beauty, easygoing personality and wit she made friends and was able to adapt to the American way of life.

Intrigued by her new country’s pop culture, Daphne became interested in entertainment, becoming involved in dance groups, choir, cheerleading and talent shows. At the age of 18 she transferred that interest to acting, and was soon working in front of the camera. She was also featured in several A-list recording artists’ music videos, along with commercials, national print campaigns, magazine covers and features.

Opening across the Philippines on May 2011, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

2 Pinoys Star in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ originally appeared on Starmometer on May 3, 2011.

In anticipation of the release of her new film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in theaters May 20, 2011, Penelope Cruz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame April 1, in front of the El Capitan Theatre, 6834 Hollywood Boulevard. She became the first Spanish performer to receive this honor – the 2,436th star to be placed on the Walk of Fame.

Cruz was accompanied in the ceremony by husband Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp, her co-star in the new installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” saga.

The 36-year-old Cruz wore a form-fitting purple tube dress just two months after giving birth to her son Leonardo, and was presented the award by Rob Marshall, director of “On Stranger Tides.”

An Academy Award® winner Penelope Cruz has proven herself to be one of the most versatile actresses by playing a variety of compelling characters, and most recently, becoming the first actress from Spain to be nominated and to win an Oscar®.

The winner of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” gave thanks to filmmaker Ted Demme, Fernando Trueba, Pedro Almodovar, Woody Allen, Bigas Lunas and Cameron Crowe for all that she has learned from them over the years, before referring to her personal life.

The star of such films as “Volver” (To Return), “Carne Tremula” (Live Flesh), “Todo Sobre Mi Madre” (All About My Mother) and “Abre los Ojos” (Open Your Eyes) said that she has more than fulfilled her childhood dream – to earn her living as an actress.

She joked during the ceremony that when she came to the United States she spoke no English and could only say two phrases: “How are you?” and “I want to work with Johnny Depp.”

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is the fourth entry in the blockbuster franchise which has already reaped $2.7 billion in worldwide box office from the previous three films, and the first to be filmed and presented in Disney Digital 3D™.

“On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past.

Penelope Cruz Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame originally appeared on Starmometer on April 4, 2011.

“My main interest was to play the ultimate ordinary man,” says Depp. “The people who are perceived as ‘normal’ are the ones I find the strangest, really: they have tics and flaws and weird mannerisms. Frank is a guy who hasn’t really lived much of a life, so that was the great challenge – to play him as hyper-normal.”

Right after olie signed up for “The Tourist,” the most important step for the filmmakers was to find the right male lead. Says director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck: “We really needed someone who wouldn’t be eclipsed by Angelina. When we brainstormed over what actor could be a true partner for her in terms of attractiveness, intelligence and acting skill, the only name that kept coming to our minds was Johnny Depp.”

The actor and Oscar®-winning producer Graham King have been friends for years, and, recently, have teamed up on several projects. After wrapping one such collaboration and with an eye toward working together again, King mentioned to him that Donnersmarck and he were looking for a leading man to star in a fun, exciting, sexy thriller opposite Angelina Jolie, and both felt that he would be perfect for the part.

So Donnersmarck and Depp had a meeting and talked about “The Tourist”: “I presented the kind of character I envisioned for him, and he liked it,” says Henckel von Donnersmarck. “Our meeting lasted three hours instead of one, and we laughed so much that I realized I needed to introduce a lot of humor into the script to do justice to Johnny’s charm.”

Depp also enjoyed the opportunity to work with Henckel von Donnersmarck. “Not only is he sweet, humble, giving, caring, loving, clever, and super smart, he was beyond collaborative,” says the actor. “He was very much into the fact that things have to happen organically. He trusted that when Angelina and I got into the ring together, things would take shape.”

Obviously, Jolie and Depp are two of the most engaging, charismatic, and talented actors working in film, but as the film requires its characters to share an immediate attraction to each other, all felt it was a good idea to meet and talk before signing on. And believe it or not, that is how Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp met for the first time. Despite being two of the biggest movie stars, they had not entered each other’s orbit until they sat down to discuss “The Tourist” with the director and producer. King sat quietly and watched them interact, watching to see how the actors would get along. Perhaps it was no surprise that they clicked from the first moment. “There was complete instant chemistry between them both,” says King.

For Henckel von Donnersmarck, they were the perfect leads for this film. “They’re great movie stars, but more than that, they are great actors, and I wanted to give them roles in which they could really show what they can do. Elise is charming and delicate and feminine and strong, all at the same time; Frank is winning and charming and funny, just like Johnny is in real life.”

The Tourist opens in Philippine theaters today, January 8.

Johnny Depp Plays the Ultimate Ordinary Man in ‘The Tourist’ originally appeared on Starmometer on January 8, 2011.

“She’s instructed by Alexander to take a train from Paris to Venice, and while on the train find a man – someone of Alexander’s height and build,” says Jolie. “She finds Frank (played by Johnny Depp) and throws him into this adventure.”

Jolie had been attracted to “The Tourist” by the potential of the strong female character and by the chance to work with director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, and to have him co-write the script. After a very early meeting, it was clear that the director and star were on the same page about the kind of movie they wanted to make. “Henckel von Donnersmarck’s `The Lives of Others’ is a beautiful, intelligent film, but also heavy,” says Jolie. “When we met, he was very clear that he wanted to make a movie that was luxurious and fun, something that would be exciting for people to watch but didn’t take itself too seriously. It was a perfect match.”

“There are a lot of people looking for Alexander Pearce,” says Jolie. “He’s stolen a lot of money from a gangster. The gangster wants revenge – and his money back – and the British want him for the taxes on the money he stole. Everyone’s looking for him, including Elise, who hasn’t seen him for a long time and isn’t quite sure when he’ll turn up again.”

Playing off rumors that he has drastically altered his appearance, Pearce gets word to Elise: get on a certain train for Venice, choose a stranger of approximately Pearce’s height and build, and make everyone else believe that man is Pearce. She chooses the American math teacher Frank Tupelo (Depp), who’s headed to Venice to try to mend a broken heart. “She throws him into an adventure he’s not prepared for,” Jolie adds.

Of course, not everything goes according to Elise’s plan. “Imagine a woman who is elegant, sophisticated, and educated, who falls for a guy who is not any of those things,” says Henckel von Donnersmarck. “She has this grand master plan, and falling for him was not meant to happen.”

“My character in this film is different than any other film,” says Jolie. “Florian gave me very specific direction. My natural modern rhythm is quicker and harder. At the beginning of the shoot, Florian’s note to me was to slow down, as Elise lives in a world of quiet luxury and elegance.”

“Angelina wakes up in the morning and is glamorous and feminine, and I wanted to capture that about her on film in the character of Elise,” says Henckel von Donnersmarck.

“I wanted this to be a thriller that was simply a fun time at the movies,” says producer Graham King. “Two extraordinary actors, with amazing chemistry, set in an exotic, bigger-than-life location. Who wouldn’t want to go on an adventure in Paris and Venice with Angelina and Johnny?”

The Tourist opens in theaters today, Jan. 8.

Watch the HD trailer of “The Tourist” here:

Angelina Jolie Turns on the Charm in ‘The Tourist’ originally appeared on Starmometer on January 8, 2011.

The plot draws inspiration from the novel On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers, which is the same novel that inspired the LucasArts game, The Secret of Monkey Island. The plot features Captain Jack Sparrow, again played by Johnny Depp, searching for the Fountain of Youth and confronting the pirate Blackbeard.

It is also first in the series to be directed by Rob Marshall and not Gore Verbinski. The film is set to be released on May 20, 2011 in Disney Digital 3-D and IMAX 3D, as well as in traditional two-dimensional and IMAX formats.

It will be the first Pirates of the Caribbean film to be released in 3D and Jerry Bruckheimer‘s second 3D film, following the 2009 film G-Force.

Other cast members include Geoffrey Rush, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Richard Griffiths and Stephen Graham. Previous cast members Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley stated that they would not reprise their roles as they wanted to be involved in different movies, and that they thought the Will/Elizabeth storyline had gone as far as it could.

Watch the trailer here:

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – First Trailer Released originally appeared on Starmometer on December 15, 2010.

The Tourist also stars Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton and Haley Webb. It is helmed by the Oscar winning German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others).

It is set to premiere on December 10, 2010.

Here is the plot of the movie:

Frank (Depp) is an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise (Jolie) is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path in order to mislead all those following her former lover, Alexander Pearce, a criminal wanted in fourteen countries who has stolen money from a gangster (Steven Berkoff) and is being pursued by an agent (Bettany). Against the breathtaking backdrop of Venice, Frank attempts to forge a potential romance but soon finds himself a target as he and Elise are caught in a whirlwind of intrigue and danger.
The movie follows the series of manipulations, as characters realise that they are merely pieces being played by an unseen mastermind of the game.

Watch the HD trailer here:

Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolie Star in ‘The Tourist’ originally appeared on Starmometer on December 7, 2010.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star ranked 10th last year and climbed 10 notches up to no. 1 this year courtesy of his earnings from Alice in Wonderland and upcoming film The Tourist. He also lent his voice in the upcoming animated film Rango.

In the last 12 months, Depp earned a whopping $50 million.

Below is Forbes’ Top 10 Highest Paid Actors for 2010:

1. Johnny Depp – $50 million
2. Ben Stiller – $38 million
3. Tom Hanks – $30 million
4. Adam Sandler – $26.6 million
5. Leonardo DiCaprio – $18.6 million
6. Daniel Radcliffe – $16.6 million
7. Robert Downey Jr. – $14.6 million
8. Tom Cruise – $14.6 million
9. Brad Pitt – $13.3 million
10. George Clooney -$12.6 million

Johnny Depp Named 2010 Highest Paid Actor originally appeared on Starmometer on September 12, 2010.

Rango is an upcoming animated film, directed by Gore Verbinski. It features the voices of actors Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, and Abigail Breslin.

The film revolves around the story of Rango, a chameleon with an identity crisis, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery taking place in the western town of Dirt.

Watch the trailer here:

Johnny Depp is ‘Rango’ originally appeared on Starmometer on July 1, 2010.

Astrid will portray the key role of Syrena, a beautiful and alluring young mermaid, in Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ epic adventure “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the fourth in the blockbuster series of films. Bergès-Frisbey joins Johnny Depp, returning in his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow. The film is slated to open on May 20, 2011.

Born in Barcelona of French-American and Catalan parentage, and now based in Paris, Bergès-Frisbey, one of France’s brightest young stars, appears in such French films as “La Fille du Puisatier,” “Bruc,” “Extase,” “La Premiere Etoile” and “Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique.” She has also appeared in the telefilms “La Reine Morte,” “Elles et Moi,” “Divine Emilie” and “Sur le Fil.” Berges-Frisbey appeared on stage at the Theatre Marigny in a production of Peter Shaffer’s “Equus.”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is directed by Rob Marshall, whose first feature film was the Academy Award®-winning “Chicago,” followed by “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Nine.” Producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s films include (producing with Don Simpson) “Top Gun,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Flashdance,” and (producing solo) “Con Air,” “Armageddon,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy and the “National Treasure” franchise, as well as this summer’s “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” JBTV’s current series are “C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation” and its spin-offs “C.S.I.: Miami,” “C.S.I.: NY” and “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case,” “The Amazing Race” and “Miami Medical.”

The first three films in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series amassed a total international box office of $2.7 billion.

Beginning in June, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will film entirely on location in Hawaii, Great Britain and Los Angeles.

French Actress to Star with Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ originally appeared on Starmometer on April 16, 2010.