Depp Does Doors Doc

02/12/09 4:03pm

by Jen White (CHARTattack)

Actor Johnny Depp has signed on to re-narrate When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors.

The Doors documentary was initially narrated by writer/director Tom DiCillo when it premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

"Johnny saw the film early on," said producer Peter Jankowski. "We showed him an early cut and he responded very strongly to the subject material."

The 90-minute doc, which only uses original footage shot between 1966 and 1971, attempts to "disentangle truth from myth, depict Jim Morrison, artist and alcoholic/addict, and showcase the other members of the band: [keyboardist] Ray Manzarek, [guitarist] Robby Krieger, and [drummer] John Densmore, who together channelled the group's magic," says the Sundance website.

Morrison advocated the use of psychedelic drugs, and Depp is no stranger to films featuring them. He starred as late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in the 1998 film adaptation of Thompson's 1971 Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas book and narrated last year's Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson documentary. Depp will reprise his role as the writer in the upcoming feature film version of Thompson's The Rum Diary.

When You're Strange will be shown as part of the 24 Beats Per Second film series at next month's South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

Manzarek celebrates his 70th birthday today (Thursday).