Many know Brian Cox from Succession and the X-Men films, with the veteran Scottish actor now regaling readers with tales from his decades in the industry via his new autobiography.
As recently published in GQ, and first told in Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, the man known for playing William Stryker and Hannibal Lecter in Michael Mann’s underrated Manhunter talked about the roles he didn’t get, turning his attention towards Johnny Depp.
The American entertainer has been in a career and personal slump as of late with many pining for the days of his earlier successes, but for Cox, much of this was not earned. In his view, Depp was vastly overvalued and really had it easy.
“Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s very much the ‘Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow’ show. Depp, personable though I’m sure he is, is so overblown, so overrated. I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Let’s face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face make-up, you don’t have to do anything. He didn’t. Subsequently, he’s done even less.”
Cox went on to note how Depp’s star has fallen in 2022 in the eyes of the public, and mused on how if he went for a role similar to Pirates of the Caribbean‘s Governor Swann now, it would have been given to an actor like Brendan Gleeson instead.
Depp hasn’t responded to the comments as of yet, and it remains uncertain if he will. Some actors do – as anyone who recalls the feuding between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel can attest – and many others simply do not take the time to.