Johnny Depp, known for his affinity for the dark and unusual, always carried a passion for horror, especially the eerie cinematic worlds of the 1950s. When he joined forces with Tim Burton, who shared this fascination, their creative bond grew around their mutual admiration for Vincent Price, a legend of vintage horror. Despite decades of influence and a series of iconic collaborations, Johnny Depp’s dream remake of the legendary House of Wax never emerged, a project he once openly longed to create.
From his earliest days in Hollywood, Johnny Depp was captivated by the strange and macabre, frequently referencing how Price’s unforgettable screen presence shaped his own love for the genre. This admiration became especially significant when Depp landed the lead in Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton’s 1990 gothic masterpiece. Both actors and director drew inspiration from Price’s work, and the film’s casting brought their hero directly into Depp’s orbit. Reflecting on filming with Price, Depp revealed,
For Johnny Depp, House of Wax stood out as the ultimate Vincent Price role. The 1953 film tells the disturbing tale of a deformed sculptor, played by Price, who transforms his murdered victims into lifelike wax exhibits. With its gruesome atmosphere and twisted plot, House of Wax left a lasting impression on Depp. When asked in 1994 which Vincent Price film he would most want to remake, Depp replied without hesitation,
Despite his enthusiasm, Johnny Depp’s dream never saw daylight. Throughout the years, Burton considered reviving House of Wax himself, but in a surprising twist, his early concept did not include Depp. Instead, Burton envisioned a musical, even contemplating Michael Jackson for the leading role. Reacting to studio rejection, Burton once joked,
The idea faded, leaving the intriguing possibility of Johnny Depp’s vision for House of Wax unexplored.
The studio’s lack of interest did not stop House of Wax from returning to theaters. In 2005, the film was remade as a teen horror movie, this time starring Paris Hilton. The remake drew harsh criticism from reviewers upon release, criticized for its shallow approach and lack of depth. Yet, over the years, the new House of Wax has developed a small but passionate following, with some fans suggesting it never received the appreciation it deserved. For many, though, the question remains: what could the story have become in the hands of Johnny Depp?
If Johnny Depp had led a House of Wax remake, the film likely would have taken a very different direction. Rather than a standard teen slasher, Depp might have crafted an operatic, moody, and entertaining interpretation, something akin to his performances in Sleepy Hollow or Sweeney Todd but rooted in the chilling grandeur of the original. Depp’s reputation for building eccentric, memorable characters suggests his take on the murderous sculptor would have been unique, a compelling mix of darkness and charm, transforming the narrative into a modern gothic fairy tale.
As the horror genre continues to evolve, Johnny Depp’s missed opportunity with House of Wax remains a topic of fascination for fans and film enthusiasts. Many wonder whether he might one day revisit this core inspiration, bringing a fresh perspective to a story that shaped his cinematic journey. For now, however, House of Wax stands as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing “what-if” scenarios—a vision that might have enchanted audiences with Depp’s distinctive energy and gothic artistry, forever altering the legacy of this horror classic.
