NEW IDEA (Australia) January 1, 2005 Page 16

FROM THE DEPPS

Story by Bruno Lester

He looks youthful, but 41-year-old Finding Neverland star Johnny Depp is no Peter Pan

What attracted you to Finding Neverland, about J.M. Barrie, the man who wrote the story of Peter Pan?

It's a plus that it was a film my kids could watch, the same reason for doing Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a masterpiece of imagination. I gather Barrie was only comfortable around children. I think he didn't know how to love in an adult way, and he was always looking for approval. I created him from observations by people who saw him as quite a dark figure, mixed with flashes of light and happiness that surely led him to write Peter Pan.

Peter Pan is a boy who never grows old. Can you relate to him?

The idea of staying a child forever is beautiful. I think you can. I know people in their later years who have the energy of little children, the curiosity and fascination. But I also think it's great fun growing old.

After 20 years as a cult actor, Pirates made you an Oscar-nominated star...

To have a performance acknowledged on this scale felt strange because I didn't do anything different. It's because of my family that I can appreciate the success. They've made me a better person and consequently a better actor. I've lost all the confusion that dominated my life. I never wanted to be a movie star. I've always wanted to be a character actor. I take roles because I fall in love with them.

Are you looking forward to doing the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel?

Yes. And it'll make my daughter very happy. Lily-Rose thinks I'm a pirate. She tells us when she grows up she wants to be a pirate just like Daddy.

Have you been surprised you've had so much work over the years?

It never ceases to amaze me. I've built my career on failure. Before now, my movies never seemed to make any money. It's been tempting to accept a big pay cheque, but I never saw the point of doing something that's been done. The theme in things I do seems to be that they deal with people considered freaks.

You hated being a heart-throb with the TV series 21 Jump Street in 1987?

I'd signed up for six seasons and regretted it before a single episode aired. It was the first time I could pay my rent, but I'd see all these commercials about me. I felt like a box of cereal. It was something I had no control over. I wanted them to fire me, but they wouldn't.

You've talked about drinking and drugs.

I think I lived the first 35 years of my life in a fog. I didn't know what I wanted or who I was. Meeting Vanessa (Paradis, the French singer and actress) changed that.

For seven years, you've lived in France.

It's the first time I can honestly say I feel at home. We met at the bar of Hotel Costes (in 1998). I was filming in Paris, having dinner with the crew, she was with friends. I wasn't brave enough to go over and ask her to join me, so I got a friend to. I pretty much fell in love with her the moment I set eyes on her. I was a lost cause at that point in my life. She turned all that around with her tenderness and understanding. I realised I couldn't live without her.

And you've never married?

We've considered ourselves husband and wife since the day we moved in. We just haven't gone through the formalities.

What has being a father done for you?

My kids give me life. They're the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. I never thought it possible to feel such profound love. Being a dad has given me great strength, perspective, calm, and sleep deprivation! I love being with my family.