UPDATED! Johnny Depp Hosting Tea Party For Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND! And Saddling Up As Tonto For Jerry Bruckheimer!

hey folks, Harry here at fantastic fest.... just got a blackberry message from Mr. Beaks, who is currently at the studio's version of Disneyland, where they have just announced that Johnny Depp will be playing the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Beaks will be back at this spot with more on this story. stay tuned.

Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here. Beaks just called me to say that there was another major tease at the end of today's all-day Disney event, also involving Johnny Depp. At the very end of the presentation, the USC Marching Band came out to play "The William Tell Overture" as Disney made the official announcement about THE LONE RANGER. As Dick Cook asked, "Who could possibly play the Lone Ranger?" Johnny Depp snuck out onstage behind him, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, but wearing a very familiar black mask over his eyes as well. Is that an announcement? Not exactly, but it sounds like Disney's in the Depp business in a big way, and I'm guessing we'll hear a hearty "HI-YO, SILVER, AWAAAAAY!" out of him in a few years time. We'll have much more about today's event from Mr. Beaks as soon as he can get to his computer.

Second Update: According to IESB and Variety, Depp will be playing Tonto, not The Lone Ranger. Depp is part Cherokee.