Johnny Depp honours Wes Craven

Johnny Depp paid tribute to the late director Wes Craven, whose 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street gave the star his first major acting role.

“Wes Craven was the guy who gave me my start, from my perspective, for almost no reason in particular. He was a good man  so rest in peace, old Wes,” Depp said.

Depp, 52, was taking audience questions at Toronto International Film Festival following a screening of his latest film, the Whitey Bulger biopic Black Mass.

In discussing being cast in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Depp explained that it was actually Craven’s daughter, Jessica Craven, who handpicked the actor for the lead role.

“I read scenes with his daughter when I auditioned for the part. I guess she had read with a bunch of actors, and after the casting sessions, she said, ‘No, that’s the guy.’ I always think of her for putting me in this mess, and certainly Wes Craven for being very brave to give me this gig.” 

Depp said that at the time of the audition, he was more focused on music than acting.