Johnny Depp Reveals Desire To Play Carol Channing

In a surprising revelation, international screen superstar Johnny Depp has confessed that the next character he would ideally like to take on would be none other than the one and only Broadway icon Carol Channing.

In remarking upon what dream roles he had in mind during a Yahoo! Q&A, Depp said, "Carol Channing. I mean that. She's fantastic."

Shortly thereafter in the conversation, Depp also comedically quipped that he yearns to play comedian Don Rickles, although "I don't know if he's well known in China," he deadpanned.

Given the outlandish and otherworldly performances that Depp has given in his extensive career, an idiosyncratic and impossibly anomalous figure such as HELLO, DOLLY! and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES stage star Channing would be a surprisingly apt fit for the notable acting chameleon, all things considered, despite the gender-bending aspects.

And, after all, Depp did star in a full-out movie musical not too long ago, 2007's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET - and proved his mettle in it.

Depp previously hinted at this strange fascination in 2009, stating, "My dream role would be to play music legend Carol Channing in a biopic of her life. I love her, I really do. She's amazing. With all the digital technology these days, I could probably pull it off ... I'd have a go at playing a 12-year-old girl if they asked me to," to the UK Mirror (here). Channing commented to The Advocate (reported here), bemusedly, "Men have been imitating me for as long as I can remember. In fact, most of the impersonations I have seen have had a five-o'clock shadow."

Channing further commented back then, "I imagine when or if Johnny should portray me, he will succeed. Because a true artist, such as himself, is one who loves his or her creation and therefore represents their honest view of that which they are creating. I think he is a gifted performer and I would be very proud, as well as interested, in seeing what his vision of me would be."

So, what do you think about Depp's deep desire to play Carol Channing?

See Depp's remarks about on taking on the two legendary live performers below.