Johnny Depp’s Near Miss: How He Nearly Lost the Iconic Role of Edward Scissorhands to Tom Hanks

Johnny Depp is a figure as famous for his off-screen exploits as he is for his acting prowess. Known for his rebellious, hard-living lifestyle, Depp’s career has been marked by both accolades and controversy. Even before his infamous legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp was seen as something of a Hollywood bad boy, never far from headlines. Yet, for all the drama surrounding his private life, there’s no denying Depp’s undeniable talent and magnetic screen presence, which has earned him legions of fans worldwide.

However, Depp’s journey to superstardom was not without its doubts, especially during the early years of his career. In a candid interview with Charlie Rose, Depp recounted a moment early in the making of Edward Scissorhands that left him questioning his place in Hollywood. The 1990 Tim Burton classic, which would become one of Depp’s most iconic roles, almost didn’t happen for him. In fact, at one point, Depp was convinced he was about to be replaced.

Recounting the story, Depp explained, “We were living in this sort of resort, some kind of country club thing, and there was a knock on the door… Two young girls were standing there, and I thought, ‘Oh, they found me, and maybe they want me to sign something.’ But they said, ‘Hi. Is Tom Hanks here? Does he live here?’ I said, ‘What? No. Not yet.’ And I was convinced that Hanks would be replacing me. I was convinced. It was one of the most frightening moments in my career.”

Depp’s anxiety was not entirely unfounded. At the time, Tom Hanks was one of many big names being considered for the role of Edward, the enigmatic, scissor-handed character. However, Hanks ultimately chose to star in Bonfire of the Vanities, a decision that would turn out to be a major flop. The financial and critical failure of Bonfire of the Vanities may have been a small, quiet victory for Depp, especially considering that other actors like Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., and even Michael Jackson had also been linked to the role. Depp’s personal connection to the character and his ability to bring Edward to life made him the perfect choice, even if he didn’t realize it at the time.

Edward Scissorhands marked a pivotal moment in Depp’s career, establishing him as an actor willing to embrace offbeat and unusual roles. The film’s success—both commercially and culturally—helped launch Depp into superstardom and solidified his partnership with director Tim Burton, with whom he would collaborate on several more iconic films. The character of Edward, with his awkwardness and tragedy, became the role that defined Depp’s career, allowing him to showcase his remarkable ability to blend vulnerability with eccentricity.

The film not only became a box office success but also garnered a cult following, resonating with audiences across generations. Depp’s portrayal of the misunderstood outsider, with his spiky scissors for hands, left a lasting imprint on pop culture. It was a role that showcased Depp’s uncanny ability to bring a strange and delicate character to life—something that would become his trademark in the years to come.

Looking back, it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the role of Edward Scissorhands—least of all Tom Hanks. While Hanks is undoubtedly a versatile actor, his approach to characters tends to be more grounded and relatable, lacking the strange, offbeat quality that Depp effortlessly brought to the table. In fact, it’s quite remarkable that, despite their respective legendary careers, Depp and Hanks have never shared the screen together. Perhaps there’s still a bit of unspoken rivalry between the two actors, stemming from those early days of Edward Scissorhands.

At the time of filming, Depp was best known for his TV role in 21 Jump Street and small parts in films like Platoon and A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, Edward Scissorhands transformed him into a star, and set the stage for his continued success in Hollywood. Thanks to a serendipitous case of mistaken identity, Depp not only kept his job but went on to become one of the most recognizable actors of his generation.

So, while Depp may have been convinced that his time was up, it turns out that the knock on his door that day was not the end of his career but the beginning of something truly special.