Depp: 'I used to be box office poison'

Johnny Depp has said that Hollywood saw him as "box office poison" prior to his starring role in Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Speaking at the UK press conference for Alice in Wonderland, the actor claimed that it took the $2.7bn (£1.7bn) worldwide success of the Pirates series to convince producers he is a reliable leading man.

"I've just been very lucky over the years. It's a miracle that people still hire me after some of the stuff I've gotten away with," he said. "I lay it all down to luck. Prior to Pirates Of The Caribbean, they literally used to call me box office poison."

Depp added that he is grateful for his A-list status because it ensures he can continue to work with director Tim Burton.

"I was kind of okay with that, it didn't bother me at all. Suddenly Pirates happened and then Tim doesn't have to fight with studios to get me the gig anymore, which he had to for many years," he explained.

Alice in Wonderland, Depp and Burton's seventh movie together, opens in cinemas on Friday.

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