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First Look: Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp in The Rum Diary

by Alex Billington
March 27, 2009
Source: PopSugar

By now, everyone knows about The Rum Diary, the next film that Johnny Depp is currently shooting in Puerto Rico. PopSugar debuted the photo, which they say comes from the set in Miami, not Puerto Rico (that one above is not Depp, but Thompson). This is pretty much your standard shot of Depp, except that he kind of looks like Tom Cruise this time, sitting in a vintage convertible. The Rum Diary sounds like a great project, another adaptation of a Hunter S. Thompson story, this time about freelance journalist who starts writing for a newspaper in the Caribbean. While this photo isn't much, it's at least pretty cool to see.

Based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel of the same name, The Rum Diary follows Depp as Paul Kemp, a divorced alcoholic and struggling novelist who decides to kick around in San Juan until his ship comes in, working as a journalist for a newspaper that's on its last legs, drinking gallons of rum and experimenting with LSD. With his new friend Bob Sala by his side, Kemp becomes entangled in a corrupt hotel development scheme with a slick PR consultant named Sanderson. Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart, Richard Jenkins, and Michael Rispoli also star in this. Stay tuned for more updates on The Rum Diary.

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David Wilson

I read the book like a week ago. I don't know how the story will translate to film though, because it just felt so thin. It plays out more like a memoir. It wasn't as plot heavy as I thought it would be and as the multiple synopsizes I read implied. Although I do really Johnny Depp and I think he'll bring his own unique brand of charm and charisma to the role.
AbercrombieAndBitch

Novelist again? I hope it's not another Secret Window.
Scott McHenry

wonder if he'll be like the modern Jack Sparrow, i mean come on, the rum, the carribean . . .
Laura

Are you people high? Because he plays a novelist the movie must be like Secret Window. Because there's rum mentioned in the title and it's set in the Caribbean he must be Jack Sparrow? Have you even read the book or at least found out what the story is? I suppose you'd say Ed Wood was like Edward Scissorhands because they both had the same name.
Panadora

Am I the only one who thinks that he has aged all of a sudden? He stills looks amazing but it's like he is a different person. Nonetheless I think this movie will be great and if people except it to be another POTC or Secret Window then they will be disappointed. And Laura I get what you are saying, I once had an argument with someone who thought that Edward Scissorhands and Sweeny Todd are the same character.
http://firstshowing.net Jack

#3 What the hell are you talking about? Rum, Carribbean, so this must be some kind of Jack Sparrow? Give me a break. Don't even think about that, because it simply has noting to do with it...
http://firstshowing.net Jack

Owh yeah, forgot: This film wil be great! I'm looking forward to it. Depp, Heard, Eckhart, Hunter S. Thompson? I mean, come on.. This wil be fantastic!
Jedi

That looks like Eckhart in the driver's seat next to Depp.
http://hwhills.com Matt

Note to self: gotta stop sending Alex tips
kLuk

obviously i dont think #6 and #4 appreciate sarcasm found in #3
lc

Who the hell cares about how he looks. I just care for the fact that johnny deep is a good actor, and how he portrays characters on film. What do you expect from him in the looks department? to get younger? come on everyone grows old.
Scott McHenry

thank you #9
Skeptic

I sort of agree with Panadora. He does look like a different person all of sudden, sort of. It is definitely easy to spot, in any case. I think I started noticing during the publicity for Sweeney Todd. His eyes were different. Still amazing on the whole, but different. Anyway, that picture is kind of creeping me out because he looks almost exactly like my uncle. And I NEVER saw that before. Besides, I actually don't really want to see this movie. I hated Fear and Loathing with a passion (couldn't even watch all of it) and I'm not keen for another Hunter S. Thompson.
Panadora

IC we were just making a comment about how he looks because Depp looked 30 for a very long time and now he is actually looking his age. But that doesn't take away from his acting at all or his movies, on the contrary it could be just the opposite. Saying all of that I think he looks as handsome as ever but in a completely different way.
cc

This was taken in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest, not Miami.
MK-Ultra

I read the novel years ago when the film was first being talked about be adapted(back when they said Benicio Del Toro would direct). The really left an impression on me and inspired me in other aspects. Think of this movie like a trip with an old friend with no money, it will be an experience.
Skeptic

I completely agree, again, with Panadora. I think looking a bit older (closer to his actual age) could open up a whole bunch of new possibilities. And I'm quite excited about them. It also looks like he might have gained a bit of weight for this role or in general. That might affect things. I don't know. But, in a completely shallow moment, do you all think he'll be re-enacting the black and white photo of Thompson at the top of the post in the movie. Because that might change my whole mind about seeing the movie.
Ryderup

Doesn't lok like Depp. haha. I bet it will be a cool film.
Tyler

Well, seeing as how Gilliam isn't directing, I'll be excited. It'll be nice to see a Thompson adaptation not completely butchered like "Fear and Loathing".
shirley

I live in Puerto Rico and Johnny Depp is in my island bringing with him lots of opportunities for this beautiful island.
Roberto Dinamite

#6, why yes I am high! thanks for noticing! this grand daddy purple is the SHIEEEET
Roberto Dinamite

just kidding, drugs are baaad mmkkkk
smacky

One more failure to put under your belt.
Greedo the Rodian

So Jack Sparrow retired from pirating and became a novelist who experiments with LSD? Because it's rum diary.