‘Alice in Wonderland’ out next year
Mia Wasikowska
Though the cast of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” features many big-money names — including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter — the woman who will play the main character is a virtual unknown.
Mia Wasikowska, 19, will play the 17-year-old heroine in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” The movie is scheduled to hit theaters in March.
Awaiting box-office blitz
Though Wasikowska has been in several independent Australian films, this will be her first foray into the land of big-budget, big-name films. With Tim Burton’s name on the project, his version of “Alice in Wonderland” is sure to sell tons of tickets.
Pair Tim Burton’s fans with Johnny Depp fans, and you’ve got yourself one big audience. I know plenty of people who’d take out an instant cash loan to be able to see Johnny Depp perform.
Who’s who
Johnny Depp, as you might have guessed, will play the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” This is only the beginning of a list of spot-on casting. Anne Hathaway will play the White Queen, and Helena Bonham Carter will play the Red Queen.
I checked out some of the other actors at IMDB, and this theme of appropriate casting continues. Michael Sheen, to me, does look like a human version of the cartoon White Rabbit. Alan Rickman seems a fully appropriate choice to play the witty, enigmatic caterpillar.
‘Charlie’ sets a precedent
Tim Burton is well-known for his animated films, including “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Corpse Bride.” He has directed several high-grossing films, including his 2005 Remake of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Worldwide, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” grossed about $475 million. This film and Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” have more in common than just their director. Johnny Depp played the lead in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Both films started out as books and became well-loved, classic children’s movies. Helena Bonham Carter also was in both films. I’d be willing to bet that Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” will pull in roughly the same amount at the box office that “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” made.
Tim Burton’s empire
Other well-known Tim Burton films include “Edward Scissorhands” and “Batman Returns.” Of course, before those, in 1988, came “Beetlejuice.” That film made about $73 million at the U.S. box office, and has made more than $30 million from rentals.
“Beetlejuice” was the first film to put Tim Burton on the map. “Edward Scissorhands” made $56 million at the U.S. box office and more than $27 million from rentals. Burton was producer and director for “Batman Returns.” Of course, thanks to the popularity of the “Batman” series, this movie grossed far more than Burton’s previous creations, making $283 million at the box office.
Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’
Tim Burton also directed “Big Fish,” Planet of the Apes” and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” has been inproduction since September, and in March it will be released in both traditional and 3-D formats.
