A few weeks ago, as Johnny Depp was promoting the hell out of Public Enemies, he got a question about his dream role. Johnny’s answer was hilarious, and probably very honest: he wants to star in a song-and-dance-filled biopic of Carol Channing. Channing is 88 years old, and best known for her multiple Tony Award-winning roles on Broadway, as well as her many films. Her signature role was the playing Lorelei Lee in the stage production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Later, in the film version, that role solidified Marilyn Monroe’s superstar status. Carol Channing is a pretty awesome lady, and I could totally see Johnny Depp playing her. As it turns out, so could Carol:

Johnny Depp says his dream role is to play Broadway legend Carol Channing in a biopic — and now Channing has offered her blessing.

“It is not a new concept to me,” Channing said. “Not at all. Men have been imitating me for as long as I can remember. In fact, most of the impersonations I have seen have had a five-o’clock shadow.”

“I imagine, when or if Johnny should portray me, he will succeed. Because a true artist, such as himself, is one who loves his or her creation and therefore represents their honest view of that which they are creating.”

“I think he is a gifted performer and I would be very proud, as well as interested in seeing what his vision of me would be. Johnny is someone I would very much like to help me and my foundation (ChanningARTS.org) to bring the arts back into the public school system in America.”

Depp said in an interview last week that he would love to play Channing. “I love her, I really do, she’s amazing. With all the digital technology these days, I could probably pull it off!”

[From The Advocate]

Carol is a class act! Wouldn’t you love to see this? As I was looking at some current photos of Carol, I was struck by something – it seems like Johnny may have used Carol as some kind of visual inspiration for his role as Willy Wonka. I wonder if that’s true? As for whether any of this will really happen, I don’t know. Obviously, he’s been a big fan or hers, and she’s a cool lady. But I’m not sure if Hollywood producers could justify the budget for a biopic on Carol Channing. You know what would be an excellent compromise though? Johnny doing a one-man Broadway show: “An Evening With Carol Channing”.

Carol Channing is shown on 7/9/09 and 11/15/08. Johnny Depp is shown on 7/2/09. Credit: WENN.com