Johnny Depp impressed this director with his ability to take direction as a rising star.

Johnny Depp is the quintessential maverick in Hollywood. The celebrity has had an illustrious career and has often gone against the beaten path by choosing an eclectic array of roles. From his debut in the cult horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street to being the talisman in the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the actor has showcased his vast talent consistently.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow (image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)
Depp has also had the reputation of being an approachable and cordial actor to his co-stars and directors, which was a part of his personality even when he was a young and rising star. David Nutter, who worked with The Tourist actor in 21 Jump Street, revealed how the celebrity had absolutely no airs about him, and willingly listened to all his suggestions.

Johnny Depp Showed His Class Way Before Becoming A Superstar

Some celebrities are not just famous for their aura on screen, but also for making an impact through their demeanor and their interaction with their peers in the industry. Johnny Depp is someone who has had this reputation in Hollywood even before he became the superstar he is today.
Johny Depp in 21 Jump Street (image credit: Fox)

In 1987, Depp took a big step into entering the big leagues when he featured in the television series, 21 Jump Street. The show was directed by David Nutter, who went on to become one of the most prolific and successful television directors with credits like The Sopranos, Band Of Brothers, and Game Of Thrones.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nutter went down memory lane and recalled his experience working with Depp in the series. The Sleepy Hollow star, who was just fresh off a massive hit with the award-winning film Platoon, was extremely pleasant, interested, and enthusiastic to understand the script.

More significantly though, the actor was a willing listener to Nutter’s suggestions for a particular scene which required him to give his full attention without aspects like his hair distracting him from the moment. Depp immediately acted upon his director’s words of advice and found an apt solution.

They were having issues at the time with Johnny keeping his hair in his face. I went to talk to him and explained how this is a very important scene, and he came back with this bandanna keeping his hair back [which became part of his character’s look]. He was a very gracious guy. 

21 Jump Street ran for a total of 5 seasons and gave Depp a strong foothold into Hollywood, which then allowed him to sign on roles that showcased his unique skills as an actor.

Even Johnny Depp Found This Cinematic Technique Challenging

David Nutter was privy to Johnny Depp’s amazing abilities as an actor even before he was a huge star. While the celebrity continued to leave critics, fans, and his co-actors awestruck, even he proved that he was human when he faced a big challenge in one of his marquee films, Alice In Wonderland.
Johnny Depp in Alice In Wonderland (image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)
The green screen is one of the most commonly used tools in filmmaking to incorporate CGI effects in films. With actors having familiarized themselves with the technique, most films in the action, sci-fi, and fantasy genre use it extensively to add visual effects.

Johnny Depp, who was part of Tim Burton’s visually spectacular film Alice in Wonderland, confessed that he struggled with the green screen which proved to be a challenge for him on set. The actor spoke of the experience to The Telegraph and stated that he was extremely unsure of himself and endured a lot of confusing moments while working with this technique.

The novelty of the green wears off very quickly. It’s exhausting, actually. I mean, I like an obstacle – I don’t mind having to spew dialogue while having to step over dolly track while some guy is holding a card and I’m talking to a piece of tape. But the green beats you up. You’re kind of befuddled at the end of the day.

Despite the obstacles that Depp faced, the actor managed to look effortless and shine in his portrayal of the Mad Hatter, proving that he can still thrive despite being thrown into the deep end.

All seasons of 21 Jump Street can be streamed on Amazon Prime.