The Mad Depp-er

Shooting has completed on Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland. USAToday has posted a few images from the film, and I have to say, this shit looks scary.

I thought Johnny Depp looked creepy as Willy Wonka, but this takes the crazy cake. To be honest, when I first heard that Depp was cast in the part of the Mad Hatter, I never expected it to look anything like this. I kind of pictured a mixture of Johnny Depp from the Tom Petty video 'Rebel Without a Clue' and Tom Petty himself from that same video. If you recall, Tom was dressed in a top-hat and suit, in true Hatter fashion. So, my vision was rather tame compared to Burton's. But this is to be expected. After all, I am not certifiably loony.

But I really must say, I'm excited about this movie. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland is one of my favorite books. I love the imagery that Carroll created. I love the characters and their off-the-wall personalities. I also love how Alice's movements in Through The Looking-Glass can be equated to a game of chess (even though I cannot follow it to save my life.) So to see an honest, live-action adaptation of the books envisioned by Tim Burton is like a dream come true for me.

Not to mention the cast. Helena Bonham Carter is playing the Queen of Hearts. Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar. Christopher Lee as the Jabberwock. I cannot wait for some vorpal blades to go snicker-snack. Simply amazing.

If you are like me and enjoy the Alice mythos, then you should check out The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. The story centers around Alyss Glass, princess to Wonderland. Her kingdom is under attack by her evil aunt, who wants to take over Wonderland. Alyss travels through a portal to our world, where she eventually meets Lewis Carroll, who hears her story and writes the Alice novels. The Looking Glass Wars is a wonderful work of fantasy that adds so much depth to the original stories of Alice. It has also spawned a graphic novel spin-off, called Hatter M, which follows Hatter Madigan, Princess Alyss' bodyguard. Then, of course, you have the second book in the trilogy, Seeing Redd. The third book has not yet been released, but I am certainly waiting for it excitedly.

I just realized that I now have two pieces of Alice in Wonder-fulness to look forward to.