â€¢ JOHNNY DEPP WILL PLAY THE MAD HATTER

Johnny Depp has confirmed he WILL play the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’sforthcoming Alice In Wonderland.

The news, which came yesterday at the Walt Disney Studios Showcase in Hollywood, follows months of speculation about Depp’s involvement in the movie.

Filming (sans Johnny) began at Antony House, near Torpoint, last week, featuring more than 250 local extras dressed in period costume and some 700 cast and crew.

Alice in Wonderland, which is due for release in 2010, will be shown in 3-D and will see Australian newcomer Mia Wasikowska play the part of Alice. Comedian Matt Lucas is also rumoured to appear in the movie.

It was also announced at the showcase that Depp would play the sidekick role of Tonto in Jerry Bruckheimer’s big-screen version of The Lone Ranger.

Depp himself broke the news, swaggering onto the Kodak Theater stage in full Jack Sparrow regalia to the Lone Ranger theme tune.