Johnny Depp's Next Project: A Question Mark

Actor Johnny Depp's next film following his highly anticipated role as the Mad Hatter in the Tim Burton-directed "Alice in Wonderland" is up for grabs even though Depp has several enthralling projects to choose from.

According to an article on HollywoodReporter.com, "Depp is attached to a number of high-profile development properties but is facing a landscape devoid of go pictures. Instead, there are a dizzying number of possibilities and schedule permutations, none of which seems likely to result in a produced movie for him anytime soon."

As for what films are being proposed to Depp to star in, producers at Warner Bros., have offered Depp the title role in the Kevin Lima remake of the 1964 live-action animated film "The Incredible Mr. Limpet." Depp hasn't formerly committed to the project, which wouldn't begin production until next year.

The HollywoodReporter.com then talks about the status of the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "Meanwhile, the fourth installment of the actor's tentpole 'Pirates of the Caribbean' remains a priority for Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer. At some point it was going to be Depp's next pic, but with Gore Verbinski no longer directing the franchise, the ship has slowed.'"

So, Disney's search for a new director for the next chapter of the "Pirates" franchise will take time and with the studio spreading the word to agents that they are amenable to young directors with fresh ideas the hunt could be extended further still. Therefore, there could be a four- or five-year gap since the release of 2007's "Pirates of the Caribbean; At World's End."

What it all amounts to is that there are projects that are rapidly moving forward that Depp has not signed for and projects he has signed for that aren't progressing quickly. As a result, moviegoers could go a year or longer without seeing Depp on the silver screen.