The mirror world

After the first movie Alice in Wonderland (2010), Johnny Depp (54) has reprised the role of The Mad Hatter in the sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass after a gap of six years. He speaks with us about reuniting with his cast, the inspiration behind his accent and the creation and evolution of his character in the sequel. 

Let’s talk about the Hatter, because he’s this brilliant, eccentric creation brought to life in the first movie. How does it feel returning to the role for the sequel?

It felt great, because these characters that you get to know and be, for long periods of time, maybe six months. So when it ends it’s that horrible goodbye, you know? But to  be able to comeback and work with Mia (Alice) again, and James Bobin (director), who took Tim’s work and kind of did this wonderful collaboration, of their work together. So he made it his own, I just felt lucky to be there.

What must be interesting for you as an actor is that we really learn a lot more about the who, the what, and the why of The Hatter in this movie. What makes him The Hatter? 

It was great to have the opportunity to see other layers, you know? Sub layers of The Hatter, to see him so lost and so gone that he’s fading into death, that he’s fading into nothingness. And, obviously the only person that can help him is Alice.

Throughout your career, from the likes of Ichabod Crane, to Jack Sparrow, to Willie Wonka you’ve created characters with very distinctive voices. Where was the inspiration for The Hatter's wonderful accent? 

It actually came from a tutor that my children have, when I was shooting on location, there was a tutor there. She sort of had ‘that’ thing, and then I just sort of, ‘you turn it into that thing.’ Yeah, I don’t know, you know, it’s probably schizophrenia.

Obviously, there is a lot of the original cast that has been retained. The biggest of the new arrivals being Sacha Baron Cohen (comedian). So he plays Time. How was it having a newcomer into this film for you, Johnny?

The second, I mean James and I had already talked and spent some time and got to know each other and everything.And I had been a huge, huge Ali – G fan and then I had worked with Sacha on Sweeny so we got to be pals. But when I heard he was coming onto this, I was beyond excited, because he’s one of those actors that you can get into the ring with and do anything. You can throw anything at him, and he’ll chuck it back. We do spend most of our time actually trying to make one another laugh. And that’s quite a hunk of meat to chew on when you’re trying to be funnier than Sacha Baron Cohen.

On June 24  at 9 pm in Star Movies Select HD .