Johnny Depp At Public Enemies Premiere

Actor pays respects to Michael Jackson...

11:50, Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Johnny Depp paid homage to the late Michael Jackson at the premiere of his new 1930’s gangster flick Public Enemies in London last night.

Depp, who plays John Dillinger in the movie, arrived 45 minutes late to be greeted by a hoard of screaming fans and spent over an hour signing autographs.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PUBLIC ENEMIES PREMIERE HERE

The actor took time out to pay tribute to the late King of Pop at the premiere where he honoured the star, who sadly passed away on Thursday.

He stated: "Obviously hearing about the sad passing of Michael Jackson, for all of us, is very very tragic. Some children lost a father, some parents lost a child, some brothers and sisters lost a sibling and that's obviously very sad.

He added: “I had great respect for what he's done, his work over the years, he's a real genius.”

The actor, who is well known for playing unconventional characters, has however quashed rumours that he is to play Jacko in an upcoming project.

Depp said: “As far as playing him in a movie, it's such an obtuse rumour I never had the pleasure of cultivating,"

Public Enemies, directed by Michael Mann tells the tale of bank robber Dillinger whose wave of bank robberies and crime sprees made him America’s number one criminal.

Mann said last night that he has always had Depp in mind for the role: "The eternal man is really what I was after. I know he (Johnny Depp) had heard of John Dillinger and connected with John Dillinger at an early age, so did I."

“I like him playing this kind of a character, a tough guy, a real man. So maybe it was only Johnny and another man who I won't name, but if they didn't do it, I don't think I would've done the movie."

Public Enemies opens on July 1.

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