Johnny Depp will wrap up production on Richard Says Goodbye this week.
Like the Andrea Bocelli song, it’s time to say goodbye.
This week, we prepare to bid adieu to a major Hollywood star and his production that’s been filming here. Not to mention the surprise appearances he’s been making around town.
But a new Hollywood film is starting up, and a TV drama-romance begins filming its latest season so—as always—there’s plenty more to look forward to.
Let’s take a look at what’s going on here in Hollywood North.
First up, the Netflix comedy Eggplant Emoji starts shooting today (August 21) and will continue until October 2.
Directed by Jake Szymanski (Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates), it’ll be produced by Ben Stiller (Zoolander 2) and the Workaholics gang: Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck.
Ben Stiller
With those comedic talents producing, and that dinky little title, you should have some idea of which general direction this is headed in.
The story follows the painfully awkward misadventures of a teenager who accidentally chops off his wiener (and we’re not talking hot dogs) during a camping trip. Comedy somehow ensues as his friends rush to save his organ before it’s too late. Hmm. And ouch.
The cast includes Daniel Doheny, Luke Spencer Roberts, Eduardo Franco, Sadie Calvano, and Geraldine Viswanathan.
Johnny Depp
Okay, so now it’s time to say goodbye to the comedy-drama Richard Says Goodbye, which calls it a wrap on Friday (August 25).
The film, written and directed by Wayne Roberts (Katie Says Goodbye), started shooting back on July 25.
This period piece stars Johnny Depp as a college professor who changes his outlook on life when he receives an unexpected diagnosis. Throwing all conventions out the window, he begins to live impulsively.
The cast includes Danny Huston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Zoey Deutch, Devon Terrell, and Odessa Young.
Much to the thrill of fans, Depp has made a few surprise appearances around town during his downtime.
When he appeared in downtown Vancouver on July 25, he posed with and greeted numerous fans.
During one of his days off from filming, he dressed up in his Captain Jack Sparrow costume from the Pirates of the Caribbean to spend almost six hours visiting with patients, from newborns to teenagers, at B.C. Children’s Hospital on August 14.
He attended a special pirate party and made one-on-one visits in the oncology, general pediatrics, and neurology units.
“Meeting Captain Jack was a dream come true for my daughter,” Sarah Kertcher, mother of 7-year-old Madison, stated in a news release from the hospital. “He never broke character once and was so generous with his time. He was truly here for the kids and it brought tears to my eyes to see how special he made each one feel.”
On that heartwarming note, there’s more news to warm the cockles of your Hearties.
When Calls the Heart
The Canadian-American TV period drama When Calls the Heart starts up production on 10 episodes of Season 5 on Tuesday (August 22) and continues until December 12.
Erin Krakow
Set in the early 1900s, the storyline, based on the novel by Janette Oke, revolves around Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a school teacher from a wealthy Eastern family, who relocates from a big city to Coal Valley, a small mining town in Western Canada.
Daniel Lissing
The cast includes Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner, Martin Cummins, Pascale Hutton, and Kavan Smith.
A two-hour sneak peek of Season 5 will air during Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas programming line-up, which will run from October 27 to January 1, 2018.
A specific date for the Christmas special hasn’t been announced yet but here’s a description from Entertainment Weekly:
“A loved one returns, Christmas spirit is renewed, and children’s wishes are granted in this heartwarming Christmas movie featuring the series’ beloved characters. Elizabeth’s fiancé, Jack, surprises her, coming on home on leave and bringing a young Mountie desperately searching for Christmas inspiration. The community of Hope Valley works together to aid this young man with the help of an enchanted Wishing Tree. And as mayor, Abigail is pretty busy. Recognizing that, her newly adopted son, Cody, engages classmates in creating the town’s annual Christmas Celebration. While Sheriff Bill Avery forges a relationship with the disgraced former mayor, Henry Gowen, Rosemary and Lee are reminded that family is the true meaning of Christmas.”
Later on, Season 5 will premiere in February 2018 so there’s a bit of a wait. But as they say, absence makes the Hearties grow fonder.
When Calls the Heart
We’ll leave you with that for this week, but tune in again next time for more on what’s filming on the streets of Hollywood North.
