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Johnny Depp has become synonymous with the incredible Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but just before that, he was approached by an Oscar-winning director and a Batman actor to join a major crime movie that was becoming one of the most-anticipated movies of the year.
Director Steven Soderbergh was keen to get Depp involved in the 2001 heist movie Ocean’s 11. This was a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name, which originally starred Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
For this blockbuster remake, he enlisted former Batman star George Clooney, who recently attended the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival.
According to The Independent, Clooney revealed he and Soderbergh tried to bring some other major Hollywood stars into the movie – including Depp – for the role of Linus, which was eventually taken on by Matt Damon.
Unfortunately, they were met with refusals. Clooney claims their comments were rather aggressive, as well.
“Some very famous people told us to f**k right off,” Clooney confessed, before naming some big names. “Mark Wahlberg, Johnny Depp.”
He added: “There were others. They regret it now.”
Although Depp may well regret taking on Ocean’s 11 in 2001, just two years later he began working with Disney to bring Captain Jack Sparrow to the big screen in Pirates of the Caribbean.
And, yes, Ocean’s 11 went on to make a staggering $450 million at the box office, but the first Pirates movie – The Curse of the Black Pearl – earned a whopping $650 million. So, it seems like Depp had the last laugh.
Clooney also opened up about one of the regrets he endured throughout his career: “I regret doing f**king Batman.”
Ocean’s 11 garnered two sequels, as well: Ocean’s 12 and Ocean’s 13, as well as a reboot in Ocean’s 8.
To date, the Ocean’s franchise has earned an incredible $1.4 billion at the box office.
Meanwhile, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has earned a massive $4.5 billion at the box office.
Depp has been busy of late, as he is about to start promoting his next movie Jeanne du Barry.
In the historical fiction picture Depp plays the real life French monarch King Louis XV.
The King reigned over France from 1715-1774.
In the picture, the Chocolat star will be putting on a French accent and acting alongside Maïwenn, who is playing the titular hero.
Ocean’s 11 is available to rent on Prime Video now.
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is available to stream on Disney Plus now.
