Summary
Johnny Deppremained at the top of the A-list for a long time thanks to his varied character performances, but he could have easily followed a different path if his part inPlatoonhadn’t been cut back so much. Depp’s very first role in film was in the wildly successful slasher flick,A Nightmare on Elm Streetin 1984. Considering the landscape of horror movies compared to other genre films, it was never likely that that would be the jumping off point in his career, but at least it got his foot in the door.
In the next couple of years, Depp was hired to fill a couple of small bit parts in TV and movies beforelanding what could have been his breakout role inOliver Stone’sPlatoon. However, his role was edited, and he became more of a background character than anything else. This may have been challenging for the young actor, but it also left the door open for his big break to come further down the line, with less conventional films and directors.
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Johnny Depp’s Platoon Role Was Originally Much Larger
Most Of Depp’s Scenes In Platoon Were Cut From The Film
Initially, Depp was set to appear in several major scenes, with his character, Lerner, delivering extensive dialogue. However, when it came time to cut the film,Depp’s role was vastly reduced. Many of these longer scenes with the character, with Depp delivering far more dialogue, appear in the deleted scenes forPlatoon. Had these scenes been kept in, Depp would have been seen holding his own opposite huge stars like Willem Dafoe, who was his most frequent screen partner due to the character’s role as a translator.
Imagining if these scenes were kept in, Depp would likely have been praised for his role, his line delivery, and his ability to evoke emotion and drama in his scenes. Instead,Lerner became a character whose worth was so smallthat they are carted away in one scene to die off-screen elsewhere with no further mention. As a result,Platoonwas not thefilm that launched Johnny Depp’s career, but this was likely a good thing for the young actor.
Johnny Depp Getting A Bigger Role In Platoon Could’ve Changed His Entire Career
Johnny Depp Is Renowned For His Weird & Unique Roles
The reality is, when an actor excels in one style of performing,casting directors and agents are inclined to put them up for more roles that fit in that niche. Of course, there are plenty of actors who continue to appear in wildly different films and push themselves to break the mold, but when they find success in action or drama, it makes sense to keep doing those kinds of films if they keep being offered work and money. After all, they need to eat and pay bills.
If Johnny Depp had managed to maintain a larger role inPlatoon, and if that movie’s success elevated his career, it’s likely he would have been offered more parts in dramatic and war films. However, just a few years later in 1990, Depp starred inEdward Scissorhands,directed by Tim Burton. Thismovie is completely different fromPlatoon, and Burton’s style and vision is very different, but there is no doubt that movies like this, and Burton in particular, have played a huge part in Depp’s career ever since.
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Edward Scissorhands Is The Movie That Really Defined Depp’s Career
And Began A Long Collaboration Between Depp & Tim Burton
If Depp had moved on to playing more serious and dramatic roles, he may have been inclined to avoid a role like Edward Scissorhands because of how different it was. But, since Depp was still building a career, and had just had some success with an off-beat crime and mystery show like21 Jump Street, Depp was ready to jump in to roles that were out of the ordinary. When Depp took on the role of Edward Scissorhands, itdrastically shifted the course of his career, and saw him tackle more projects with Burton that were fearless in their uniqueness.
Platoonwas not the film that launched Johnny Depp’s career, but this was likely a good thing for the young actor.
Since then, Depp has been equally fearless in creating distinct and unique characters in his work. Rather than simply trying to emulate emotional, but largely average individuals, Depp has sought to embody the extraordinary in his work, with characters that are full of life,like Captain Jack Sparrowand Sweeney Todd.Johnny Deppcould have taken the safer route, and continued working in films that were similar toPlatoonin tone and their message, but he chose a different path, and since then, it appears he hasn’t looked back.
Platoon
Cast
Platoon is a war drama directed by Oliver Stone, featuring Charlie Sheen as a young soldier experiencing the harrowing realities of Vietnam. Released in 1986, the film chronicles his moral struggle within a divided platoon, led by the contrasting characters of Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Platoon offers a raw depiction of the harsh conditions and ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers, contributing to its critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.
