Johnny Depp is in desperate need of a hit. After the train wreck that was last year's The Lone Ranger, and most recently Transcendence, his ill-fated foray into sci-fi, Depp is counting on the spy comedy Mortdecai to get him back in the green.
Based on the film's first trailer, it looks like Depp is returning to what he does best: slightly unhinged heroes who have a habit of getting themselves into trouble. This time around, that hero is Charles Mortdecai, a mustachioed art dealer who looks to be inspired at least in part by Peter Sellers’ bumbling Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther series.
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In what can best be described as an international tale of intrigue, Depp's debonair rogue must recover some stolen art that may lead him to a treasure trove of Nazi gold. Hot on his tail is a lawman played by Ewan McGregor, who leads a stellar supporting cast that includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Olivia Munn, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Bettany, and Jeff Goldblum.
While Mortdecai has all the makings of a new Johnny Depp tentpole, the February 6 release date is a tad worrisome. What's typically considered Hollywood dump season, Lionsgate has either lost confidence in its pricey star, or the studio just wants to steer clear of a giant incoming storm called The Avengers. Only time will tell.
Watch the first trailer for Mortdecai below.