Johnny Depp has been in at least 81 movies so far — all of which he hasn't seen. It's not that surprising, coming from someone who once said he didn't like Hollywood. On his first interview with Entertainment Tonight in 1988, a 24-year-old Depp was asked if he liked Hollywood and his answer was a solid "no". But he did talk about his experience starring in the series, 21 Jump Street and working with director Oliver Stone in the 1986 film, Platoon.
Now at 58, Depp still hasn't changed the habit of skipping his films. During the 2012 Golden Globe Awards, Ricky Gervais asked the actor if he'd seen his unsuccessful movie, The Tourist co-starring Angelina Jolie. Again, he answered with a plain and straight "no". Here's the real reason the Pirates of the Caribbean star doesn't and would probably never see his movies.
It's Just 'None Of His Business'
In an appearance at The Late Show With David Letterman in 2009, Depp finally revealed why he doesn't see his films. As usual, he didn't feel like talking much about it. Long-time fans even said that he was probably tired of answering such questions at that point.
"In a way, you know, once my job is done on the film," explained the Sweeney Todd actor. "It's really none of my business." He laughed a little as the audience did but immediately returned to his serious look.
When Letterman asked if he "deliberately doesn't look at the finished product," Depp answered: "Yeah, I stay as far away. If I can, I'd try to stay in as profound a state of ignorance as possible." The host humorously said that he came to the right place then.
The initially tensed look on the actor's face faded and he clapped with the audience who had begun to laugh. It seems like although he has serious reasons for not seeing his movies, he understands that most people just find it funny or odd, so goes along with the jokes.
Not A Fan Of Watching Himself
Letterman politely asked if it was all an insecurity thing. Depp calmly answered: "It's just that you know, I don't like watching myself." That would make sense given that he's also starred in many Tim Burton films where he looked like a clown, and he's known to have coulrophobia or phobia of clowns.
The three-time Oscar nominee added that he "prefers the experience" of making the film. As Letterman said, he is "first and foremost, an actor and an artist." Oscar-winner, Joaquin Phoenix also shares the same preference for process over output.
Phoenix said that he's only watched his films, The Master and Her. He's also not a fan of watching himself, just as much as he hates talking about himself in interviews. "I don't ever really want to see myself as the camera sees me...I don't want to watch myself," he said. It might be the same for Depp.
Even Depp's former co-star, Angelina Jolie, said that he hadn't seen many of her films. "As an actress, you learn about your character, and you understand the overall picture of any film you're working on," she said.
"But there's so much you’re not a part of. And there's many times I've felt frustrated with the films I've been in, or seen them and not felt connected to them, or haven't wanted to watch them at all." With the negative reviews received by The Tourist, it's possible that both actors have never seen that movie.
But Johnny Depp's Kids Have Seen His Films
"They've seen... actually my kids have seen more of my films than I have," said the Dark Shadows star. Letterman then asked if he wasn't at least a little curious "to get a glimpse" of himself. Again, it was a simple "no" for the actor. "Truly, honestly," he added. When asked about "complex" films like Pirates of the Caribbean that were "shot simultaneously", the actor said he's also not interested in seeing how they turn out.
"That is solid, buddy," Letterman said, surrendering from the little interrogation. There really isn't much to dig into why the actor refuses to see his movies. But a fan wrote on the comments of the interview's YouTube clip: "He always seems so nervous when he's interviewed, like he's not at ease with himself. There's the famous Johnny Depp and there's the normal guy still there. He's protecting himself." That's also possible. What do you guys think?