As you say, never take a blog report too literally     This Oz rumor came out of the blue, and even though it originally came from the Hollywood Reporter, it was a blog there, and I'm not really convinced it's real (other than the part about Downey leaving the film).  I'm kind of hoping it's not true.  I think Johnny would make a great Oz, but on top of Willy Wonka and the Mad Hatter (not to mention Tonto) it is getting to be too many children's literature characters!  Either way, there is no way that Johnny would let it interfere with DS, especially since he's producing DS, after all!  With the location scouting and production design in place, all seems to be moving forward very well on DS-- I'm sure they're casting, too, only we just don't know about it yet    

One thing that is apparently true, though, is that Johnny is doing/did a cameo for an Adam Sandler film (of all things!) called Jack and Jill.  He was spotted on the set earlier this week, and Regis Philbin (who's in the film) apparently dropped Johnny's name during his TV show.  One rumor has it that the cameo is of Johnny and Al Pacino at an LA Lakers game.  We'll see.  Strange choice, though!

I love that photo of the possible DS location.  I was still hoping that at least some of the outdoor filming would take place in New England, but I guess we're not even sure if they are keeping the locale in New England.  There's so much more I want to know!!!

Thanks for the clip, jimbo.  I get a little skittish when I hear about POTC 5&6... thinking that maybe they should see how 4 does, first!    Great to hear DS being mentioned regularly, now.  David Elijah, I was thinking that we ought to start hearing some casting news after the New Year, and, well, it's after the New Year!  So I'm hoping to start hearing something soon.  Trying to be patient....

Cathy

The Toronto Star has published a list of 11 things they can't wait for in 2011 and the Depp/DS film is among them

Yippee!!!    Glad there's anticipation for this.  I think that a 2011 release is a little optimistic, though.  Both Sweeney Todd and The Tourist came out the same year they were filmed, but they both started a little earlier than April.  And we don't know how many special effects this one might have.  So it'd be pretty tight!  But as long as it starts filming, that's all I care about for now!

Cathy

did anyone else notice that Depp is wearing a Barnabas style BLACK ONYX RING in 1 scene of THE TOURIST?

Oh gosh, I DID notice the ring during the movie, and then completely forgot about it!  Haha, I wonder... (Johnny does love rings in general, though).  We'll have to get a screen capture, or a movie still of that later

Cathy

Great caps, thanks MB!  Of course, I missed it- I only got to see a bit of the Rose Bowl challenge.  Did they give any background about Greystone?  Or was it just kinda: "go here"? 

I'm glad I haven't seen those sites, MB- in the last few days, I've mainly only come across reviews ripping The Tourist to shreds     (BTW it's not nearly as horrible as they say; not an Oscar contender, but just a sweet and funny trifle).  Anyway, from the sound of it, what you're seeing on those sites is probably just reverb from a couple of months ago.  The silly tabloid/rumor sites seem to repeat the same silly things over and over when they are bored or on a slow news day   

I haven't seen a peep other than IMDb about this Kirsten gal, so it'll be interesting to see if she is indeed cast.  If not, I think I like the idea of Ms. Mulligan.  We'll see!

By the way, I meant to post this a day or two ago.  Johnny hit many of the usual TV entertainment shows the other day (Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Access Hollywood), and he appeared wearing a bunch of scarves tied around his neck.  I'm going to see if I can attach a small photo to show.  Now, it may just be a whim, but sometimes Johnny starts to add trinkets to his wardrobe that end up as part of the attire he wears for his next character.  For instance, he started wearing a colored bandana hanging off his jeans pocket, and next thing you know, Sweeney Todd's outfit had a hankie or whatever for which Sweeney could wipe his blade.  All I'm saying is that I wonder if Johnny is starting to think in terms of some type of cravat or something for Barn's character.  Also, it's not evident here, but I saw it on one of the TV segments, he's got a hoop earring in his left ear.  He's worn earrings over the years, but not the past decade or so, so it's a new look for him.  It could be for Pirates, but since Captain Jack has all those dreads going on, an earring wouldn't even be noticed!  So I also started to wonder if Barn may end up with an earring. 

Of course, I could be totally wrong and he's just in a phase of wearing these trinkets just for himself!     But you never know if it's part of him searching for the feel of his next character...

Cathy

^^^ I guess we'll have to wait to find out!

A teensy heads-up-- Today and tomorrow are press junket dates for The Tourist, and Johnny is about to be heavily (if superficially) interviewed.  You never know if/how much DS will be brought up, but here's hoping!