Depp adds Tonto, Mad Hatter to acting portfolio

By Sharon Eberson  / Friday, Sept. 26

Disney can't get enough of Johnny Depp, and they're hoping you can't, either. Depp has signed to three new Disney projects, including the fourth installment of the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, Variety is reporting.

Adding to his grab-bag of offbeat roles - among them "Pirates' " Capt. Jack Sparrow, Eward Scissorhands and Willy Wonka - Depp will take on the role of Tonto, the Long Ranger's American Indian sidekick, for producer Jerry Bruckheimer's 2010 project. Somehow, the idea of Depp in modified Jack Sparrow hair asking, "What now, kemo sabe?" is scarier than anything he could cook up with Tim Burton. Speaking of whom ...

Burton will direct Depp as the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland," using a mix of 3D animation and performance capture technology similar to that used for 2007's "Beowulf." That will be another notch on the collaboration belt for this creative duo.

There'll be another, as yet unannouced role, too, Depp and Disney reps told a crowd of roaring fans in Hollywood at the Walt Disney Showcase, a preview of the studio's productions over the next few years that included another "National Treasure" with Nic Cage.

The "Pirates 4" confirmation arrived early Thursday through the actor's representatives in Variety, The Associated Press reported.

The franchise has earned more than $2.6 billion at the box office since the first installmant in 2003.