New addams family movie johnny depp

The modern day reimagining, called Wednesday, will focus on teen daughter Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega) as she rejects popularity in favour of her own dark, twisted narrative. Catherine-Zeta Jones plays goth icon Morticia, with Luiz Guzman as Gomez and Isaac Ordnez as Pugsley.

But who will play Uncle Fester? The chracter is conspicuously missing from the first publicity posters - and the casting has so far been kept a secret. (Showrunner Alfred Goughrather cryptically told Vanity Fair: 'We have no comment on Uncle Fester. Watch the show.')

There are rumours that it could be Tim Burton's long-time collaborator Johnny Depp, in a 'comeback' role following his controversial legal dispute with Amber Heard. The rumours are being fuelled by a blind item from gossip account DeuxMoi, which shared an anonymous (and unverified) tip saying:

'Extraordinary lengths taken to protect the identity of Uncle Fester on the latest netflix offering. This rarely out of the news or courts a++ lister is keeping things quiet so that Ortegas moment is not overshadowed by his exs ongoing vendetta. But rumours are the first edits show that Tim Burton was right to fight for his casting.'

Of course, there's no way to verify who sent the tip off - and if there is any truth in it whatsoever - but the description certainly points to Depp.

Burton and Depp have worked together previously on eight films, including Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland, so it isn't a huge leap.

What is Netflix’s Wednesday about?

As the title suggests, Netflix’s remake will follow troubled teen Wednesday as she finally finds her people at her new school, with mum Morticia, dad Gomez, and brother Pugsley, all playing supporting roles.

According to Netflix: ‘The series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy, where she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the murder mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore.’

Netflix's Wednesday trailer

Despite only being 19, Jenna has already taken on some major roles in her career, from Young Betty in 00s cult classic Ugly Betty to a string of scary movies including Scream, Babysitter: Killer Queen and X, so you know she’s got the horror credentials to back her up.

Catherine Zeta-Jones will play the regal yet ruthless Morticia and Luiz Guzman plays Gomez in another genius casting that gives Danny DeVito’s iconic patriarch a run for its money. Also popping up is OG Wednesday Addams Christina Ricci, who played the iconic role in the 1991 film and 1993 sequel, but this time round she’s playing a new character Marilyn Thornhill. Newcomer Isaac Ordonez (who appeared in 2018's A Wrinkle In Time) has been cast as Pugsley. The rumour mill is in overdrive that Johnny Depp will play Uncle Fester - with the casting being kept secret for now.

When is Wednesday on Netflix?

While there’s no official start date yet (boo) it’s expected that Wednesday will fittingly land on the streaming site in the autumn, in time for Halloween.