Terry Gilliam's latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, is fast approaching its DVD and Blu-ray release - but just to get you through the final bump before that, here's a sneak peek at some of the special features that take you behind the film, and the word from Johnny Depp and Jude Law on their roles in the film. Yes, we know, we spoil you.
First up, appropriately enough, is Terry Gilliam's introduction to the film, explaining what he set out to do, how he did it even through difficult and tragic circumstances, and what he thinks of the finished movie. Then we've got the first ten minutes of the film with Terry Gilliam's amiable and detailed commentary, so you can get a taste of what you're in for with the full-length DVD.
And here's the word from Johnny Depp and Jude Law on their roles in the film, after the pair (along with Colin Farrell) stepped in to complete Heath Ledger's role.
Says Depp: "It was an honor to represent Heath. He was the only player out there breathing heavy down the back of every established actor's neck with a thundering and ungovernable talent that came up on you quick, hissing rather mischievously with that cheeky grin, "Hey... get on out of my way boys, i'm coming through..." And does he ever! Heath is a marvel; Christopher Plummer beyond anything he's ever done; Waits as the Devil is a God; Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield, the very foundation, are spectacular; Verne Troyer simply kicks ass and as for my other cohorts, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, they most certainly did Master Ledger very proud, I salute them.
"Though the circumstances of my involvement are extremely heart-rending and unbelievably sad, I feel privileged to have been asked aboard to stand in on behalf of dear Heath."
And Jude Law put it thus: "“I have always loved Terry Gilliam's films. Their heart, their soul, their mind, always inventive, touching, funny and relevant. When I got the call, it was a double tug. I liked Heath very much as a man and admired him as an actor. To help finish his final piece of work was a tribute I felt compelled to make. To help Terry finish his film was an honour paid to a man I adore. I had a great time on the job. Though we were all there in remembrance, Heath's heart pushed us with great lightness to the finish.”
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus comes out on DVD and Blu-ray on March 29, and don't worry, this isn't a spoiler: there's a full commentary and a heap more extras on the disc.