People of the Year 2004: Johnny Depp

In Finding Neverland, Johnny Depp plays Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie with muted, understated ease, and in so doing he may well wind up with his second Oscar nomination. It's been quite some year for Depp, 41, both good and not so good. His friend Marlon Brando died in July. But then came Neverland. He recently finished filming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for his friend and frequent director Tim Burton. He's soon to start shooting the sequel, maybe two, to his biggest hit ever, Pirates of the Caribbean. He recently plunked down $3.6 million for a deserted island in the Bahamas.

What was the best present you got this year?

Probably this gig, playing Willy Wonka.

Favorite movie this year?

Yeah, it's an old one [1944] called The Mask of Demitrios, with Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. I watched it about five times in a row. Brilliant. I don't see new movies that much. If I do see a new movie, it's a kids movie. The Incredibles was really, really great. My son, Jack, now runs around with his little Mr. Incredible doll. The beauty is, Jack calls Mr. Incredible "Mr. Credible," which really killed me. Mr. Credible. Ha ha.

Are you ready for four more years of W.?

Oh, God. Did you watch the debates? It's so perverse. I actually enjoy watching him talk. And it pisses me off, certainly -- it's like looking at something you're not supposed to be looking at. You shouldn't be watching, but you can't help yourself.

What are your plans for 2005?

If we do Pirates of the Caribbean Two and Three together, that'll be the whole year. Work and kiddies. Work and kiddies.

More: See a Depp photo gallery, classic profiles, and movie reviews.

Next: Zach Braff