10 Actors Who Can't Catch A Break
3. Johnny Depp
Let’s leave his recent legal difficulties to one side, as the ongoing court case is too complex and unedifying to get into. Even without that, Johnny Depp has been creatively adrift for many years now, as a result of some seriously strange career choices.
Depp’s star rose steadily throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s as he mixed intriguing indies with breakthrough hits and collaborated with the likes of Jim Jarmusch and, often, Tim Burton. He hit the big time as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates franchise - one of the all time great casting choices - and seemed unstoppable.
Since then, his hit rate has been remarkably poor. Someone isn’t giving him the advice he needs - for every Public Enemies there’s a Transcendence, for every Sweeney Todd a Mortdecai. He has turned in five performances as Jack Sparrow, more than you’d imagine he’d prefer.
What’s worse, Depp is so clearly not invested in half his films. When he doesn’t want to be there, he makes no effort to hide it. Depp still remains hugely famous, but he’s at danger of becoming a risky proposition for a producer.