One of the few names associated with Wes Craven who didn't speak out following the director's death last month was “A Nightmare on Elm Street” star Johnny Depp, who enjoyed his first film role in Craven's 1984 horror classic. Luckily, the actor took a moment to reflect on the late filmmaker during a Q&A following a screening of “Black Mass” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday night, in response to a question from the audience.
Here are his comments, via Variety:
“Wes Craven was the guy who gave me my start, from my perspective, for almost no reason in particular. I read scenes with his daughter when I auditioned for the part. At the time, I was a musician. I wasn”t really acting. It was not anything very near to my brain or my heart, which is pretty much how it remains to this day.
“…But Wes Craven was brave enough to give me the gig based on his daughter”s opinion. I guess she had read with a bunch of actors, and after the casting sessions, she said, ‘No, that”s the guy.” I always think of her for putting me in this mess, and certainly Wes Craven for being very brave to give me this gig. But he was a good man – so rest in peace, old Wes.”