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Johnny Depp -- People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2009, who was also named one of the world's most stylish men by GQ -- plans to get behind the camera.
Depp has announced he's directing a documentary about Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, with the working title Happy. The 46-year-old star told a European website that he's obtained "kilometers" of archival footage, while also shooting new footage at Stones concerts. "I'm very touched that Keith agreed to show up in front of my camera."
The two stars have a unique relationship: Depp actually used Richards, 66, as inspiration for his Oscar-nominated Pirates of the Caribbean role as Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp has referred to Sparrow as "cross between Keith Richards and Pepe Le Pew", adding that pirates were basically the rock stars of their era.) Richards even appeared as Sparrow's father in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End... (Depp's idea, naturally). And in October, Depp presented his hero with the Rock Immortal statue at the Scream Awards, saying, "Long after humanity incinerates itself with nuclear war, the only thing left will be cockroaches and Keith Richards."
Will Depp be as compelling a director as he is an actor? It isn't his first time behind the camera; in 1997, he directed and starred in a drama called The Brave, costarring Marlon Brando, but it never got a U.S. release (not even on DVD -- sorry, Netflix-happy Depp fans!).
Given the enduring popularity of the Rolling Stones -- and Richards in particular -- we're sure this documentary will see a wider audience. Still, we suspect Depp's making this one for love instead of money.
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