Celeb News » Rum Diary Director Almost Refused Johnny Depp

'The Rum Diary' director Bruce Robinson has revealed he originally wanted to say no when he was asked to write the screenplay because he didn't like the book it was based on.

Johnny Depp's 'The Rum Diary' director almost turned down the movie because he didn't like the story.

The 48-year-old actor originally asked Bruce Robinson to adapt the novel written by his close pal Hunter S. Thompson, who died in 2005, into a screenplay but Bruce admitted the story didn't appeal to him at first and he was tempted to refuse the star.

He told Britain's Daily Telegraph: "I read 'The Rum Diary' and I didn't really like it very much but I wrote it as a screenplay for Johnny, and then he asked me if I wanted to direct. I thought, 'If he's prepared to take the risk I'll do it.'

"Writing and directing is the same cheese sandwich. And Johnny, he's the most important film star of our age. I love Johnny."

Johnny convinced Bruce to come out of retirement after 19 years to make the movie and previously revealed he was successful because he refused to take no for an answer.

He said: "I was a real pest. I just kept coming at him. I understand someone who makes that decision and says, 'I'm done with this cinema game and all those nasty bits that come with it' but Bruce was my dream for 'The Rum Diary' and he was Hunter's too."