Michael Jackson Didn’t Inspire Johnny Depp’s Willy...

Did Michael Jackson inspire Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka?

No!

“I wish I could say that I was inspired by him for a role,” said Depp, who played the fantastical character in the film adaptation of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. “I was inspired by him because I think he was a great artist but he was not the inspiration for Willy Wonka contrary to what most people say.”

Depp, 46, also denied he was playing Jackson in a film.

“No no no, I never ever thought of playing Michael Jackson in a film, I think if anyone should play Michael Jackson in a film it should’ve been Michael Jackson,” he said.

“A mother and a father have lost a son, siblings have lost a brother and millions of people around the world have lost someone they love,” Depp said of Jackson’s recent passing. “Children have lost a father so it’s obviously a very sad, sad moment.”

The actor — who plays The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s new movie Alice In Wonderland — added that he hoped he hadn’t put off Burton from casting him in forthcoming films.

“If he can deal with me after this he can deal with anything,” said Johnny.