Terry Gilliam hasn’t shot a movie since 2018’s “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote,” a film that took him nearly 30 years to make. So let’s call the seven years between that movie and Gilliam’s upcoming “The Carnival At The End Of Days” a well-deserved break. The British filmmaker plans to shoot the new film this year, and Premiere reports it has quite the cast attached to it, led by none other than disgraced actor Johnny Depp.
That’s right, Depp will work with Gilliam for a third time on “End Of Days,” after 1998’s “Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas” and 2009’s “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus.” And it’s not any old part either. Depp will play Satan, seemingly the one being, deity or human, in Gilliam’s tale who not happy with God’s plans to kill of the human race. Joining Depp on the film are Jeff Bridges, Adam Driver, and Jason Momoa. It’s both Momoa’s first time working with the director, while Driver starred in “Quixote” back in 2018 and Bridges in 2005’s “Tideland.” And, yes, Mr. Bridges plays God in “End Of Days,” as perfect a casting as one could ask for.
Gilliam talked to Premiere about his upcoming pic a bit after he received an Honorary Crystal at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival last December. “We’re trying to determine exactly when and where it will be done,” said the director. “At the moment, filming is scheduled for next January. We’ll see. And I have a pretty good cast.” But late last year Gilliam was still looking for a female lead. “Now we need a woman to complete all that!” he laughed when asked who will play Eve in the new movie.
But back to the biggest deal about “End Of Days.” No, not Johnny Depp playing Satan, but Bridges as God. “He won’t be the God we’re used to,” Gilliam explained. “In the film, God is nature. But a nature that can speak to you. I’m going to need animation to bring it to life, because in the scene with God, there are at least fifteen animals, and it’s going to be complicated, because it has to be realistic. And it’s going to be very expensive, what will happen. But it’s a good scenario. It will be very funny for those who like to be offended.”
Gilliam, out to cause offense? It’s nice to hear the 83-year-old hasn’t lost a step. “The Carnival At The End Of Days” sounds like a splendid comeback film for him on paper, but let’s see if Depp’s reputation doesn’t overshadow its release.