Johnny Depp Turned Down a Major ’90s Action Role for a Surprisingly Funny Reason

Johnny Depp made headlines for turning down a lead role in the iconic 1997 action thriller *Face/Off*. According to U.K.-based travel and art magazine *Far Out*, the actor declined the offer due to an amusing misunderstanding, as revealed on March 8, 2025.

Written by Michael Colleary and Mike Werb, *Face/Off* became a massive success, earning over $245 million worldwide on an $80 million budget. Depp was originally approached for one of the lead roles, while Nicolas Cage had already expressed interest in the other. However, Depp ultimately backed out.

The reason for Depp’s refusal? He mistakenly believed *Face/Off* was a hockey movie based on its title. When he realized it was actually an action-packed thriller, he reportedly lost interest. Screenwriter Colleary later called Depp’s exit a “happy coincidence,” as the final cast—Nicolas Cage and John Travolta—helped cement the film’s legacy.

Meanwhile, Depp recently appeared in a teaser for an upcoming Tim Burton documentary directed by Tara Woods. In a March 13, 2025 report, *The Hollywood Reporter* quoted Depp calling Burton “a visionary” and “the real thing.” The four-part documentary, featuring Helena Bonham Carter, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, is currently being shopped by WME.