It’s been 19 years since Pee-Wee Herman last graced the silver-screen with the hugely underrated Big Top Pee-Wee. Since then, Paul Reubens has had a little trouble with the law, made a modest comeback in small supporting roles, barely missed more trouble with the law, and most recently fueled rumors of a potential Pee-Wee comeback.
On a few occasions over the past year during interviews, Reubens has suggested that he’s written two scripts for two separate Pee-Wee films focusing on the colorful characters of his playhouse from the original HBO special and the CBS Saturday morning television show. He’s apparently been shopping them around. How rad would it be if this actually happened? Aside from the inevitable side-effect of Pee-Wee Herman costumes lining the shelves at your local Party City at Halloween time, there’s absolutely no reason why this wouldn’t be awesome.
Or is there? This bit of news cropped up today hinting at something I would’ve never guessed. Reubens might not play Pee-Wee. Wha?! You’re fucking kidding me. As a Digg reader astutely pointed out, it’d be like trying to do a Pink Panther movie without Peter Sellers (see Steve Martin). Allegedly, Reubens has asked Johnny Depp to play the part, and Depp is thinking about it.
Dude.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like Depp, but can he really be trusted with this role? I mean, he did an amazing job with Willy Wonka and look how that movie turned out. Shite I say. The article then goes on to suggest the involvement of Tim Burton, which of course would not be a stretch. Although Burton directed the original film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, he was a different man back then. He worked on a much smaller scale with an even smaller budget. I just don’t trust him to tell a good story anymore.
All of this information almost seems too convenient. Perhaps it’s all just lies. As I believe I made clear from the beginning, I would love a new Pee-Wee flick, and I’ll take what I can get it. But please, please Jambi the Genie if you’ll just grant me this wish, don’t let Johnny Depp do this.
