Johnny In Wisconsin?

Here are a few articles regarding Johnny's next possible film, being taped in Wisconsin.

From http://wkbt.com

Johnny Depp to Film Movie in Wisconsin?

Posted: Dec 27, 2007 10:38 AM

Johnny Depp to Film Movie in Wisconsin?

A big budget film starring Johnny Depp is looking at filming in Wisconsin.

Lietenant Governor Barbara Lawton says the makers of "Public Enemies" are looking at Wisconsin because of the new tax breaks for filmmakers that start Tuesday. Her office and Film Wisconsin had previously said a film with a budget between $100 million and $300 million was looking at Wisconsin, but refused to give details until a deal was done.

But the Baraboo News Republic in southern Wisconsin broke the news in Thursday's editions, saying the makers are looking at filming at a local bank. "Public Enemies" is about notorious gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.

From http://www.dane101.

Johnny Depp to hide out in Wisconsin?

Submitted by Jesse Russell on Thu, 2007-12-27 15:00. Arts | Film

Word is that director and University of Wisconsin alum Michael Mann is preparing to bring a film crew to Wisconsin next year. The Baraboo New Republic broke the story yesterday and it has since been picked up by the Associated Press. According to the story Mann is scouting nearly 20 locations in Wisconsin as potential backdrops for his American gangsters flick about the 1933-34 crime wave of John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson, and "Pretty Boy" Floyd. That crime wave has been accredited with forcing the FBI to essentially reboot and move in a new direction. Early reports have Johnny Depp cast as Dillinger for the film which will start production in Chicago on March 10 (hmmm...right around the time of the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival. Could we possibly see a surprise appearance from the actors or director?)

It should be noted that any deals are not yet final, but from what we hear a pen is hovering very close to a dotted line.

The screenplay is based on a book by Bryan Burroughs titled, Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34. Burroughs also wrote the critically acclaimed Barbarians at the Gate.

Wisconsin can thank the new tax breaks for filmmakers that will go into effect in Wisconsin starting with the new year for helping coax Hollywood to use the state. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton heavily lobbied for the tax breaks earlier this year as she saw it as an opportunity "to inject new, substantial revenue into our state's economy." To find out what else is coming to Wisconsin check out the "Film Wisconsin" website.

Another reason Wisconsin is appropriate is that Dillinger has a history with our state. You can visit one of his hideouts, the Little Bohemia Lodge, up in Manitowish Waters. According to Wikipedia:

Quote:

In April, the gang settled at a lodge hideout called Little Bohemia owned by Emil Wanatka, in the northern Wisconsin town of Manitowish Waters. The gang assured the owners that they would give no trouble, but the gang monitored the owners whenever they left or spoke on the phone. Emil's wife Nan and her brother managed to evade Baby Face Nelson, who was tailing them, and mailed a letter of warning to a U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago, which later contacted the FBI. Days later, a score of FBI agents led by Hugh Clegg and Melvin Purvis approached the lodge in the early morning hours. Two barking watchdogs announced their arrival, but the gang was so used to Nan Wanatka's dogs that they did not bother to inspect the disturbance. It was only after the FBI mistakenly gunned down a local resident and two innocent Civilian Conservation Corps workers (as they were about to drive away in a car) that the Dillinger gang were alerted to the presence of the FBI. Gunfire between the groups lasted only momentarily, but the whole gang managed to escape in various ways despite the FBI's efforts to surround and storm the lodge. Agent W. Carter Baum was shot dead by "Baby Face" Nelson during the gun battle. Barney G. Louis Boeding accompanied him during the robberies.

From http://www.620wtmj.com

Hollywood in Wisconsin?

By Tim Lethlean

Story Created: Dec 27, 2007

Story Updated: Dec 28, 2007

Click here to listen to Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Tim Lethlean report on how the state's new tax policies could make Wisconsin look more like Tinseltown.

A big time movie being made right here in Wisconsin, or even Milwaukee? That's what state lawmakers are hoping will happen when tax breaks go into effect next Tuesday.

Wisconsin's lieutenant governor Barbara Lawton is optimistic the plan will bring cash to the state, saying "What is exciting about this industry is that when they do a film, about half of the production costs stay right in that regional economy."

And already, the town of Baraboo is being looked at as a site for a new Johnny Depp movie set to be filmed in 2008. The flick has an estimated production budget of 100 to 300 million dollars.

State officials believe bringing some Hollywood to the state isn't just good financially, it's also great publicity for Wisconsin too.

Also, a Sweeney article:

From http://www.iht.com

Johnny Depp says 'Sweeney Todd' flashback was 'weirdest thing I ever had to shoot'

In a career that has included drunk pirates and a scissor-handed recluse, Johnny Depp says the strangest scene he has ever filmed is a simple flashback in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

The movie is the sixth collaboration for Depp and director Tim Burton — and one of their riskiest. It is based on Stephen Sondheim's bloody Broadway musical about a murderous barber, and Depp had scant singing experience.

But it was not the singing that scared Depp — or any of his character's numerous gory murders. It was a flashback to young Sweeney's happy life before he was sent to prison by Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman).

It is arguably the most normal scene in the movie, and both Depp and Burton could hardly stomach it.

"I think that was the weirdest thing I ever had to shoot," Depp told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "(Burton) literally was sobbing. He left the set of his own movie."

Burton said the extreme melodrama of the scene was difficult to watch.

"That's when I knew (Depp) was a great actor, because that was terrible," the 49-year-old director said. "That was so bad."

Depp, star of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and "Edward Scissorhands," has received rave reviews for his performance, and Burton wonders if the 44-year-old actor will look back in later years and cringe at the young Sweeney flashback.

"That and having to soap up Alan Rickman's face were two of the scariest moments, maybe of my life," joked Depp.

For some reason, Burton explained, preparing Rickman's character for a shave was "quite a traumatic experience" for Depp.

"Sweeney Todd," a DreamWorks/Paramount release, has received four Golden Globe nominations, including best musical or comedy, best director for Burton, best actor for Depp and best actress for Helena Bonham Carter.