Johnny Depp rejected the chance to remake the one movie he’ll “watch every year when it’s on TV”

Johnny Depp reportedly turned down a leading role in *Oz the Great and Powerful*, a prequel to his favourite film, *The Wizard of Oz*. The missed opportunity stands out in a career that has often revisited familiar stories, and comes as Depp is preparing to play Scrooge in Ti West’s upcoming film *Ebenezer*.

Depp said in 1996 that he watched *The Wizard of Oz* every year and was moved by Dorothy’s farewell to her friends. He and Robert Downey Jr were among those considered for the prequel’s lead, Oscar Diggs, but Depp’s schedule clashed with work on *Dark Shadows*. James Franco ultimately took the role in Sam Raimi’s 2013 film.