For the sake of sanity, we're compiling all of the Johnny Depp stories that have come out of Disney Studios' presentation at the Kodak Theatre earlier today including the previously unreported announcement that Depp would be returning as Captain Jack Sparrow for Pirates of the Caribbean 4, but first, he'll be reteaming with director Tim Burton to play the Mad Hatter in the motion-capture animated Alice in Wonderland and playing Tonto in The Lone Ranger. Obviously, Disney and Johnny Depp's next few years will be closely linked with these three projects in development.

Below, you can find the two previous reports posted earlier today with links to the original stories for anyone who wants to continue commenting there:

During Disney's preview today in Hollywood, the studio questioned who could possibly play the titular character in its upcoming feature The Lone Ranger.

With that, Disney rolled out the USC marching band to come down and play the Ranger's theme song. This was followed by an appearance by Depp himself who took to the stage in full Captain Jack Sparrow attire...wearing The Lone Ranger's mask.

According to our Disney reps, Depp is officially signed to play Tonto and not the Lone Ranger as initially implied.

The Lone Ranger, said to be an origin story, is written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.

Original Story

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Disney officially announced today that Johnny Depp will star as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

It was also revealed Burton is shooting the film in 3-D.

The film is based, naturally, on the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice in Wonderland," and will combine performance-capture imagery, similar to Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf, with live-action footage.

Depp is joining previously cast actors Mia Wasikowska (as Alice) and Matt Lucas. Disney has set a release date of March 5, 2010.

Original Story