In a stunning revelation that rewrites Hollywood history, Sir Gary Oldman has disclosed that Johnny Depp was far from the first choice to play the titular character in Tim Burton's beloved classic, Edward Scissorhands.
The Oscar-winning actor, known for his candid interviews, dropped the bombshell during a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, pulling back the curtain on one of cinema's most iconic casting decisions.
The A-List Contenders Who Nearly Got the Part
According to Oldman, Burton's initial vision for the role included some of Hollywood's biggest heavyweights. Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks were both seriously considered for the part of the gentle, scissor-handed outcast before Depp's now-definitive portrayal.
"I remember talking to Tim Burton about it, and he said, 'I'm thinking about Tom Cruise for Edward Scissorhands.' And then, Tom Hanks was in the mix," Oldman revealed, highlighting the vastly different direction the film could have taken.
Depp's Career-Defining Breakthrough
The role eventually catapulted the then-relatively unknown Johnny Depp to international stardom, cementing his long-standing collaborative relationship with Burton. This casting decision shaped both Depp's career trajectory and the aesthetic of 1990s alternative cinema.
Oldman's insight provides a fascinating glimpse into the often unpredictable and serendipitous nature of film casting, where a single decision can alter cinematic history and the careers of those involved.
