“No, that’s too much”: Legendary Marlon Brando Didn’t Want Johnny Depp to Act in More Movies, Thought He Might Run Out Of “faces”
Johnny Depp is indeed a distinguishable figure in the movie industry, notable for his eccentric performances and versatility. Since starting his career in the 1980s, the actor has marked his presence in numerous successful films, portraying an extensive list of unique characters and collaborating with a wide range of cinematic veterans.
Depp, in the early days of his artistic venture, has worked together with the thespian Marlon Brando. Depp, who always looked up to him as a young actor, shares the experience that garnered him valuable insights and mentorship from Brando.
Marlon Brando advised Johnny Depp not to act in more movies
Marlon Brando is always regarded as a respected, legendary American actor known for his groundbreaking performances in films. He revolutionized acting with his neutralist approach, which has greatly influenced actors of all generations.
In 1994, Brando and Johnny Depp collaborated on the romantic drama Don Juan DeMarco, which follows the story of an aging psychiatrist named Dr. Jack Mickler (Brando) as he attempts to cure the delusion and his patient, Don Juan DeMarco (played by Depp), who believes himself to be the greatest lover in the world.
Depp, during a talk at ASU Origins in front of a live audience, shared his memorable experience of working with Brando, who took on the role of mentor and advised him of the importance of choosing roles wisely.
“He said, ‘How many films do you average per year that you do?’”. “And I said, ‘I don’t know. Maybe two or three. He said, ‘No, that’s too much.’ So, I said, ‘Well, why is that too much?’ And he said, ‘Because we only have so many faces in our pockets.’”
Johnny Depp lauded Marlon Brando as his “great mentor.”
After collaborating with the Godfather actor, Brando and Depp maintained a good connection and often exchanged advice and anecdotes about their respective careers. Depp admired Brando’s talent and sought his guidance on navigating the film industry. On a Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, he said Brando “became a great mentor, a great friend, and a great source of knowledge”.
“He was incredible,” Depp said. “I mean, he became a great mentor, a great friend, a great source of knowledge. He was incredibly generous and supportive of me. You couldn’t ask for a better [person].”
Depp also shared that his meeting with the luminary actor like Brando left him feeling so amazed. However, Brando was so warm and friendly with him and described him as “One of the funniest humans I’ve ever known”. The movie Don Juan DeMarco received a mixed review as some critics praised the film for its romantic and comedic elements.
Despite its average rating, Depp believes the movie was a pivotal moment in his career “That movie was key for me’ and collaborating with Brando was far from anything he could receive as an actor. Apart from Don Juan DeMarco, Depp also costarred with Brando in movies like Devine Rapture (1995), and The Brave (1997).
Source: ASU Origins and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
