And, from the Hollywood Film Awards, the Amber Heard appreciation society moved to New York last night for the premiere of a film I've been waiting a long time for - The Rum Diary... Hunter S Thompson's semi-autobiographical penned book, brought to life by (obviously) Johnny Depp and a man who hasn't directed a film since Withnail & I. It also has something of an emotional connection for me; I never got round to finishing the book, so this is a rather handy way of finding out the ending, without the bother of having to read it.
Another reason I'm looking forward to this particular film is because Heard stars as 'Chenault', and if director Bruce Robinson stays true to Thompson's book, we'll be seeing her nude. A lot.
If the photos from last night's premiere are anything to go by, Depp was so adamant he was signing autographs for every one of the assembled crowd he had to be pulled away by his own security. That or it was some burly dude hired by Disney to remind Depp that they own his ass, especially in his island dwelling, rum quaffing guise...
According to Digital Spy: "Disney has reportedly banned Johnny Depp from being interviewed about his new film The Rum Diary on its stations. The company, which owns ABC and several ABC-owned and operated stations, told its affiliates that they cannot talk to the actor about the film because it doesn't want the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to be overshadowed. Depp attended the Austin Film Festival on Friday, where The Rum Diary will be screened and he will receive an award for his 'Extraordinary Contribution to Film'. However, a clause in his Pirates of the Caribbean contract with Disney meant ABC affiliates were not allowed to interview Depp or film him at the event, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 'We came here expecting to talk to one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but apparently Disney doesn't want Johnny Depp's new movie premiering here at the Paramount [Theatre] to get more exposure than his new Pirates of the Caribbean movie,' KHOU News reporter Shelton Green said. 'So, they wouldn't allow us to interview him nor would they even allow us to get video of him, but hundreds of other people did'."
