Johnny Depp: Tom Cruise Almost Beat Me To Be Edward Scissorhands

Johnny Depp almost lost his iconic role as "Edward Scissorhands" in 1990 to Tom Cruise as the producers had wanted a famous actor to play the lead.

A relatively unknown Depp had really wanted to play the eccentric role but studio bosses wanted the "Top Gun" actor instead.

He says, "They [movie bosses] were interested in me for the part, but had someone else in mind too. A few days later, they called me to say the studio preferred the other actor."

"[It was] Tom Cruise. I was really disappointed. From the moment I read the script, I knew I had to be in it. But I understood the studio wanted a box office superstar."

However, the bosses began to question Cruise's suitability for the character.

Depp continues, "Then a miracle happened. My agent called to say they wanted me instead."

And that role wasn't only just the beginning of the several eccentric characters the actor had played, but also the start of his friendship and collaboration with the film's director Edward Burton. They partnered again in five later films including the award-winning film "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."