Why Tom Cruise lost out on the role of 'Edward Scissorhands'

Thu 14 December 2023 20:15, UK

Like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands carries a duality that makes it equally fitting to watch the film during Halloween or Christmas. The titular character, perfectly played by a young Johnny Depp, appears as a timid creation by Vincent Price’s Inventor. Although it’s hard to imagine the movie becoming such a hit without Depp’s portrayal, Tom Cruise was once considered for the part.

Before Depp was confirmed for the role, the studios encouraged Tim Burton to meet with Cruise to discuss the project. Despite having Depp in mind for the role from the start, Burton reluctantly went along, only to realise his instincts were right and it wasn’t meant to be. He was also swayed by how odd the meeting was.

The concerns primarily revolved around the story’s specifics and its practicalities. During the meeting between Cruise and Burton, Cruise reportedly raised frequent questions and concerns about the story’s logistics and desired a more cheerful conclusion for the film.

As Caroline Thompson, who wrote the script, put it: “[Cruise] wanted to know how Edward went to the bathroom,” she said. “He was asking the kind of questions about the character that can’t be asked for this character! Part of the delicacy of the story was not answering questions like, ‘How does he go to the bathroom? How did he live without eating all those years?’ Tom Cruise was certainly unwilling to be in the movie without those questions being answered.”

Before committing to the project, Cruise wanted to alter the film’s melancholic ending. However, Burton always sensed a connection with Depp regarding humour and emotionality. Collaborating, they sculpted Edward’s character together, serving as a representation of Burton’s own life.

Although, in Burton’s eyes, Depp was always going to play Edward, Depp himself still experienced anxieties when playing the role. Worried that he wouldn’t impress the director, he even misread a situation involving fans, thinking that he was going to be replaced. “I can remember when we were doing Scissorhands, we were living in this sort of resort, some kind of country club thing, and there was a knock on the door one afternoon while everybody was off rehearsing,” he said.

Adding: “There were two young girls at the door, and I thought, ‘Oh, they found me, and maybe they want me to sign something, I don’t know.’ So, I opened the door and said, ‘How do you do?’ and they said, ‘Hi. Is Tom Hanks here? Does he live here?’ I said, ‘What? No. Not yet.’ And I was convinced that Hanks would be replacing me. I was convinced. It was one of the most frightening moments in my career.”