"We're Going To Have To Sort This One Out": Terry Gilliam Says He Has Sent A Letter To Johnny Depp About 'Don Quixote'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
December 10, 2012 9:17 AM
7 Comments

Uh oh, is the bromance between Johnny Depp and Terry Gilliam fracturing? The pair, who teamed on "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas" and "The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus" (with the actor stepping in along with Jude Law and Colin Farrell when Heath Ledger passed away during production) have famously been trying to mount "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" for years. The initial attempt was beset by all variety of disasters, chronicled in the documentary "Lost In La Mancha," and it's pretty much been Gilliam's baby, a movie he's been trying to get back on the horse with for years, but late last week Depp stole his thunder.

On Friday it was revealed that the actor has set up his own "Don Quixote" movie at Disney that he will produce, a modern "re-imagining" written by Steve Pink ("Hot Tub Time Machine") and Jeff Morris (Black List script "True Memoirs Of An International Assassin"). Of course, the immediate question is whether Gilliam knew about it, and it appears he didn't. HeyUGuys and RedCarpetNewsTV caught up with director at the British Independent Film Awards last night (winners right here) and when asked about the project, he simply said "We're going have to sort this one out." He added that the project "is [Depp's] horse," and separate from his own, however he's sent him a letter about it to see what the deal is.

Of course, Depp can set up a "Don Quixote" project if he wants to, though it does seem a bit cold to do so without giving Gilliam a ring first even if only to give him a heads up. At any rate, Gilliam is busy at is, recently wrapping on "The Zero Theorem," revealing June is his deadline to get it completed, adding that the movie feels like an autumn release. So festival circuit next fall? It sure seems that way.

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More: Terry Gilliam, Don Quixote, Johnny Depp

7 Comments

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Stephen | January 9, 2013 9:03 PMReply

separate.
;^P
Stephen | January 9, 2013 9:01 PMReply

Guess what...I dont give a steaming pile of sh!t. Not one steaming sh!t pile. I like Gilliam and Depp. Depp shoulda called him and Gilliam shouldnt be all too bothered and appreciate what he has in the Industry. I have to practically have a seperate career to live in LA and pay my fee to become SAG. I cant get an audition to save my life and I even had a movie just premiere at the Egyptian. I wanted to read for Dean Moriarty and didnt even get to play my hand. THank God, the movie is clearly not the masterpiece I had hoped it would be. I dont want to hear any BS about Hollywood bickering. My interest in the whole Hollywood lot is diminishing quite fast for its lack of storytelling. Im about finished caring. ha
Boo hoo | February 4, 2013 1:35 AM

So basically you haven't been able to cut it in Hollywood so fuck everyone else. That's a great attitude to have. Sucks for you but the bottom line is Depp should have kept Gilliam in the loop. Nothing wrong with what he did but his making this picture significantly decreases The possibility of Gilliams project getting funded, and given all that he's been through trying to make his film Depp owed him a heads up.
Meh | December 10, 2012 1:56 PMReply

He is such a drama queen!
Kj | December 10, 2012 9:30 AMReply

Who cares about what Gilliam thinks? Quixote isn't precisely "his baby", the story has been there for centuries. Also I've read several times Gilliam bashing Johnny's decisions and life, very openly and very harsh to do "publicly" if he says he's his friend. So maybe, Johnny on his "right" doesn't want that "kind" of "friendship" anymore!
SB | December 10, 2012 11:24 PM

He called Depp Tim "Burton's bitch," which may not exactly be an attack on his personal life but is definitely a below the belt and childish comment. And Depp officially and permanently backed out of Gilliam's Quixote project several years ago so he hasn't been an essential component for a very long time. High school level bickering? Gilliam's the king. Maybe if he didn't talk so much smack about his friends they'd worry more about his feelings. Why is it always the people who dish it who get so upset at any perceived slight?
Noah | December 10, 2012 9:38 AM

Sorry, when did he ever "bash" Depp's life? You're making that up. He's always been outspoken but so what? He's been critical of Depp but he's also been critical of fellow Python John Cleese and they're still friends. The Quixote project has been hugely important to Gilliam for many years, and Depp was an essential component of getting it off the ground. To not even grant Gilliam a courtesy call, regardless of the state of their friendship, is a sleazy thing to do and don't try to reduce it down to high school-level bickering.