Throughout the last 20 years, Johnny Depp has become synonymous with the ongoing Pirates of the Caribbean series. The American star played the antihero Captain Jack Sparrow in the Disney film franchise, becoming extraordinarily famous and a household name in the process. Long before joining the seven seas as the notorious pirate, however, Depp had the opportunity to work with the legendary coming-of-age director Hughes.
Hughes wrote and directed a number of iconic Hollywood films including The Breakfast Club, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Sixteen Candles to name but a few. But one of the filmmaker’s movies in 1986 was due to star Depp in an early casting call before he reportedly turned it down.
At the time, Depp had only starred in a handful of movies. His first appearance came just a few years prior with a bit-part in the 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street. The following year he enjoyed another small part in Private Resort, before he took on some TV projects. But it was reportedly these TV projects that ruined Depp’s chances of becoming known as Ferris Bueller.
Depp was apparently Hughes’ first choice to play Bueller in the iconic 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The film focussed on the titular character skipping school and having the best day ever.
Unfortunately “conflicts in Depp’s schedule” meant that he was not able to join the movie that would become one of the highest-grossing films of the year, earning $70 million at the box office on a relatively small $5 million budget.
Depp did keep an eye on the film, however, even though he was never a part of it.
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Just a few years later Depp starred in Platoon where he really began to break through into Hollywood. After that, he starred in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, where his popularity truly began to skyrocket.
Although the star did become a success, Hughes did find himself in some hot water over a song in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
During the final scenes of the film, Ferris watched a brass band performing The Beatles track Twist and Shout. Paul McCartney later expressed disdain for this addition, prompting Hughes to defend himself.
The director said he “felt bad” for “offending a Beatle. But it wasn’t really part of the song. We saw a band, and we needed to hear the instruments”.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is available to watch on Netflix.
The Pirates of the Caribbean films are available on Disney Plus.
